I went travelling solo through Southeast Asia for six months. Because I was a bit nervous about going alone, I decided to do two months of volunteer work first.

After scouring the internet for a long time, I found this project in Thailand. Off I went to a tiny village, far from Thailand’s tourist areas. I arrived to a warm welcome, immediately immersed in the local Thai culture.

For two months, I had the privilege of being part of an enthusiastic team of Thai nurses, who taught me the values of Thai culture and even some of the language. The biggest challenge during my work was definitely the language barrier, though for my colleagues it was no problem at all. They guided me every step of the way, and with a bit of creativity, we usually understood each other. To this day, I remain part of their close-knit team from afar.

Of course, it wasn’t all work. In my free time, I joined the other volunteers in various activities, like chopping bamboo (I had seriously underestimated that!), helping grandpa deliver rice in the villages, attending a Thai wedding or a local celebration where I was invited to dance with everyone, and as the cherry on top, experiencing my most special Christmas ever.

In March 2017, I decided to return to this special project for two weeks to see everyone again and to see how the project had developed. It was amazing to see everyone again and to be part of this local community once more. This time, I also taught at two primary schools in the surrounding villages, which was another unforgettable experience. The school children welcomed me with so much enthusiasm!

I lost my heart in Thailand. It’s been a great experience! See you all again next year!

Are you looking for an unforgettable experience immersed in Thai culture? Then this project might be perfect for you.

- Irene