Plan My Gap Year - Volunteer in Thailand from $435

At the beginning of September I spend 2 weeks doing the Thailand childcare programme. I would 100% recommend this programme to anyone, I had the best time making so many unforgettable memories! The months leading up to our departure were a breeze, you are sent all the information you need to know in the volunteer handbook and if you have any questions big or small the PMGY team are great at replying to your emails.

When in Thailand we stayed with our volunteer leader Sopida and her family, who made us feel more than welcome. We had everything we needed comfy beds, hot showers, our own locked draw for valuables and WIFI! Honestly I couldn't fault anything and that's thanks to Sopida, herself and her husband Darryl went out of their way to make us all feel welcome. They even bought me an early birthday cake and arranged for me to get one on my actual birthday while we were off exploring in Chiang Mai! They always asked what we fancied for tea and if we wanted to try any specific Thai food while we were there. They helped us book and organise flights, taxi's and were to go after we finished the programme.

Each morning we would walk to the school with Sopida ( if it was raining Darryl would give us a lift there and back in the car). Sopida made sure before we went to the school that we all felt confident enough to go into the classroom and teach. She provided us with lots a useful resources and activities to do with the children and was always on hand to help us translate with the teachers. However, there isn't lot of teaching time on the child care programme as the children take a nap during the day. But in the short time we spent with the children they picked up the song 'wind the bobbing up' pretty easily, that has to be one of my most favourite memories! On our last 2 days of the programme Sopida took us to another school in a more deprived area to take part in English Camp. This was such a rewarding but challenging experience I will never forget. We were with children ages 7-16 who were all eager to learn and truly grateful we were there!
Overall this trip was one I will never forget and that's all down to Sopida! I can not thank her ( and Darryl) enough for making my first experience of Thailand so memorable, I don't think there was a day we weren't all in stitches laughing! Now I just can't wait to book another one :) #honey #dazzle #gossipgirl #pmgythailand

At the beginning of September I spent two weeks on the PMGY Childcare programme in Thailand, where I have learnt so many skills, gained memories and been inspired for the future.
Before arriving PMGY sent a handbook with information and any questions I had they were reliable for answering in no time!
Our accommodation was in the house of our volunteer leader and her family! The accommodation catered for all needs as had everything us young people needed to be happy - WiFi, hot showers and a clean environment. Sopida and Darryl are a lovely couple who made us 6 feel comfortable and we became a little family for the 2 weeks we shared together. They supported us with weekend trips, taxis and flights. Sopida came with us to the school and supported us within the classrooms and translated any language we needed help with. We were hands on and never felt like we were unsure on what to do; as Sopida would prepare useful resources to support us if we needed it.
I recommend double checking the programme in the handbook for the difference between Childcare and Teaching. As our group are all trainee teachers we were happy to step in and teach more English without any preperarion with the younger children, however the ‘childcare’ programme doesn’t specify full on teaching. Also within the preschool the children have a large nap time and therefore we had a large break in the middle of the day (due to their age), if you are unsure if this would suit you, I would recommend double checking the programme you are going to be volunteering on. On the final 2 days of our programme, Sopida took us to a deprived school on the outskirts of Pathum Thani, here the children were aged 7-15 years old. This was a challenge for us all but the most rewarding as we saw how simple English lessons were appreciated and how the pupils were grateful for the small things in life. I feel lucky to have met such humble and respectful children in both schools.

Overall, I enjoyed spending time with Sopida and Darryl and can’t thank them enough for their hospitality. Sopida was always there to support us with any questions and to make our experience in Thailand the best! To say this was your first year, it was bloody brilliant! Keep at it guys and will see you soon! #pmgythailand

I couldn’t recommend this programme enough! Before heading out to Thailand the UK team supported us so much with any questions we had about flights etc. When we arrived in Bangkok we were greeted by our Volunteer leader Sopida who is the most friendly and welcoming woman ever! We stayed at her family home for two weeks which I couldn’t fault one bit. Its not a 5* hotel so don’t have too high expections but it was clean, beds were comfy, we had a fan each and we were catered for - we couldn’t have asked for anything more.

The school we went to was very modern and up to date. We did only spend a couple of hours with the children a day but that was their routine which we had to fit into. It meant there wasn’t much pressure on us to plan lessons, which we didn’t want. We had loads of fun with the children, singing songs, and playing with them. We would teach them basic English like parts of the body and fruits. Seeing them progress was so rewarding.

In the last few days Sopida organised for us to go to a less privileged school which was very eye opening and I’m so glad we did it! Although playing football against 50 boys in 34 degree heat was tough but also worth seeing the smiles on their faces.

Before we went to Thailand we had thought about travelling to a few places in our spare time. We had the weekends off and wanted to make the most of our time in Thailand. Sopida and Darryl helped us so much with planning these trips. They told us which places to go. Ps. definitely go to the Thai elephant home- best day ever.

Overall I don’t have a bad word to say about this trip, I loved every minute of it and I couldn’t recommend it any more! If I could I would go back in no time. Thankyou to Sopida for making us feel so welcome 😘 xoxo

Check out their Facebook and Instagram page for pictures from the Thailand Childcare programme.

have recently come home from taking part in the childcare experience in Thailand and I had the BEST time!!! Sopida was a lovely host right from the minute she met us at the airport until we left. We stayed in her house with her family which gave us a great experience of how Thai's live their day to day life. Their house was very 'homely,' had a lovely ambiance and was nice and clean. Sopida and her husband, Darryl did everything they could to make us feel welcome and meet our needs while we stayed with them. They were also very helpful when it came to planning the rest of our travels to Chiang Mai and Phuket by recommending places to visit and restaurants!!!

The volunteering experience was amazing and the children were adorable. The school was public and so the building looked nice but the children came from different backgrounds. We taught small bits of English from the get go, this included: numbers, the alphabet, fruit, animals and songs. The children were very responsive, even though we were only there for 1 week and a half they had learnt new songs and were able to sing them back to use, which was very rewarding. Sopida helped by providing us with basic worksheets if we needed them and also helped as a translator as the teachers spoke very little English. Although this might seem daunting it was quite easy to do it.

The last few days of our volunteering opportunity we took part in and English day camp which was further away from the house, which if Sopida recommends to do I would definitely take it up. I taught children who were older (11-15) but there was large range of ages at this school. They were so grateful for us being there and as the children were older we made lovely friends by the end and wished we had stayed longer.

Overall the whole experience was brilliant and I would recommend anyone to take up the opportunity, especially when Sopida and Darryl are your hosts!!! xxxx

I spent two weeks doing the childcare programme in Thailand. I could not recommend the programme enough as I had the best time and made some amazing memories.
The pre-departure help is great, pmgy keep you updated and well informed about anything you need to know for the trip and answer any questions big or small!

For our accommodation we stayed with our volunteer leader and her family. The accommodation is clean and has everything you need - hot showers, a comfy bed and wifi! Sopida and Darryl are such a lovely couple, who made us feel so comfortable and at ease from the get go and in the end became great friends who I know we will all miss! They helped with everything from ordering food, providing lifts and helping us organise flights, Taxis and other excursions. Sopida accompanied us everyday to the school making sure we were comfortable being in the classroom and also prepared some really helpful resources to use with the children. We never felt unsure of what to do or unsupported. If you are looking to do full days of teaching be aware that the childcare programme does involve a large break in the day due to the children napping - this was fine for our group as we would keep ourselves occupied! On the last 2 days of our programme Sopida organised for us to go to another school In a more deprived area teaching older children from the ages of 7-13. This was really the most rewarding part as it was apparent the children were grateful for you being there and wanted to learn. I feel lucky to have met such lovely children.

Again I can not thank Sopida and Darryl enough for their hospitality, they made us feel like we had a home away from home and made us laugh everyday. Sopida could not do enough to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves and was constantly thinking of ways of how to improve the programme to make it the best experience it could be. Keep up the great job guys and thank you for everything! #honey #dazzle #sozfortheessay #pmgythailand

I spent my August on the 4 week real Thailand experience and I honestly can't think of anything better!

It was my first time travelling in Asia and the trip meant we saw the best of thailand, from relaxing on the beautiful island beaches to exploring the busy cities! The volunteering week was one of my favourites, I didn't think teaching was going to be my thing but the children were so enthusiastic to learn and grateful it was hard not to enjoy! Also the home cooked thai food was some of the best I've ever had.

It was also great to have such a lovely group of like minded travellers to share the trip with!
All round an amazing experience, you are so well looked after by Darryl and Sopida so you don't have to stress about travelling, and they give you lots of tips and recommendations for things you can explore on your own aswell!

Would recommend PMGY to anyone!!

This summer, I went on the 4 week real thailand experience. If you've never been to Thailand before, or never really even been travelling before (both of these were me!) this is a really great trip to do as it covers everything you could want to do and see over thailand in the space of a month.

We got to relax on the islands in between snorkelling and having a great time at the full moon party in koh phangan. So much fun!

We volunteered up in rural northern thailand which was a crazy week filled with teaching English, playing with the kids and learning the occasional word in Thai. Jack, who hosted us in his parents house, is so welcoming, kind and funny. (His mum also cooks the BEST food).

As well as Bangkok, we got to see another amazing city; chiang mai - this is where we got to spend the day with elephants!! This was probably one of the best days, a real once in a lifetime experience.

Everywhere was filled with markets, great food and fun nightlife. (And Even if Thai food isn't really your thing, it's easy to find western food around so there really is something for everyone).

I was excited but a little terrified when I booked it, but Darryl and sopida looked after us so well that it really reduced some of my worries. They're the sweetest, kindest, most hilarious couple. They're just the best. They were like second parents to us while we were there (or more like a fun aunt and uncle that let you get away with things and don't tell your parents what you've been up to).

I went on this trip with two of my friends but I left with at least 20 more. You start the holiday with complete strangers and come home having made some lifelong friendships. I couldn't recommend this trip more.

I had never travelled abroad on my own or for this long before going on this Real Thailand Experience holiday and I can honestly say it was the best 4 weeks of my life!

Firstly, the co-ordinators Darryl and Sopida - two of the nicest and sweetest people! They arranged everything on our behalf and the whole holiday was so seamless and stress free! Darryl and Sopida were always there for us if we had any issues and they really knew their stuff! You couldn't ask for two better people to show you around Thailand!

Secondly, the program itself. I did the 4 week experience and we did SO MUCH! We really got to see the 'Real' Thailand. From being in the busy environment of Bangkok to the peaceful and relaxing islands down south! You really get to live so many different experiences. My highlight was definitely the Islands where we got to relax, sunbathe (don't fall asleep on the beach people!!), going to the full moon party, snorkelling with the fish and going on different boat trips to see all the beautiful scenery! For all you Instagram lovers (all of us) this is the perfect place!! My other highlight was definitely the elephant sanctuary that we went to where we got to ride, wash and feed the elephants that have been rescued from cruel areas (Highly recommend doing it). Overall the program is designed so well and there was not one point where I was unhappy with what I was doing.

If you're were like me and quite nervous on travelling alone, don't be! I wouldn't have done it any other way. You meet like minded people who are doing the exact same as you. You meet so many nice people and the friends I made out there are definitely friends for life and we created memories that i'll never forget! Be brave and go for it!

Thirdly, the volunteering - We spent the week at Jacks house in Nong Khai. Jack was such a great host. He runs his own volunteering charity called Isan Survivor and it was just the most fulfilling week. We got the opportunity to work in two different schools (one with 10-12 year olds and the other with 16-18 year olds - both very different!) where we took part and hosted their English camps for the year. It was a life changing experience and rewarding one where we were helping the children learn English through class room teaching, singing, dancing and quite frankly making a fool of ourselves - but all for the right reasons!! Other than the teaching, we stayed at Jacks house where his mum is just the best cook!! Jack also took us to see the local areas like the border of Laos river, various different temples and beautiful areas, took us to a Korean restaurant that was pretty damn cool! Overall a great week!

4 Week Real Thailand Experience - Highly recommend!!
Shout out to Darryl and Sopida for just being the best hosts!