I spent four months in Phan Thiet, Vietnam as an English teaching assistant. My overall experience was fantastic, and I look back at it with great fondness everyday. The most difficult part was saying goodbye to my friends and students who had now become my family.
I chose Lattitude Global Volunteering as I had found volunteer videos on YouTube talking highly of their experiences, plus I liked the idea of staying overseas for a great deal of time, and having certain things like accommodation and in-country orientation and prep.
I was given a great deal of support before leaving Australia, despite how late I had signed up. Online Webinars and briefing PowerPoint Presentations were sent weekly. The staff at Lattitude also created a Facebook group for volunteers traveling the same dates, and an Alumni group so we could contact past volunteers.
There is also a camp in which Lattitude runs for all volunteers prior to leaving, however I was too late to attend.
Once in Vietnam however, I found the support system to be less than what I expected. This was only personal to me as I fell sick in country and had no support from Lattitude in regards to my hospital visit, and the cost it had on the school I taught at. I also found certain support staff from Lattitude (Back in Australia) to be very blase, as other volunteers would agree.
This aside however, it was quite satisfactory in country, and my link teachers and in country coordinators were absolutely fantastic. My Hung was extremely helpful in helping me with the medics, and organizing pay, and later visa extensions.
If you're interested in volunteering overseas and it's your first time, rest assured Lattitude will be your best option, and value for money. However, I personally don't think I will volunteer with them again, simply because I am interested in other volunteer options.