GVI, Ethical Impact: Internships in Thailand

I am currently a university student studying Environmental Science (hence the relevance to my amazing summer). I went to Thailand, Phang Nga base for a total of 6 weeks and did the short term internship, earning myself a leadership qualification out there. This was my first summer solo travelling, having not taken a gap year and it was everything I had dreamed of and more! I went on this trip alone and it was the best thing I could have done, it benefitted me in ways I didn’t even imagine – cringe but ‘I found myself’. I gained more self-confidence and developed my people skills; communication to people of all ages – from teaching school children to making friends with the older volunteers.

GVI and the programme itself was amazing, they were so accommodating and made me feel at home for my summer, the base felt like home and the staff were friends. It’s not like being at school as you are all on the same level and treated equally, if you have a suggestion whether it be for around base or an activity you would like to do they will always try to accommodate it. GVI Phang Nga hub has 2 other programmes being run from the same hub so there will always be a group of people there, this is great for your weekend travels. While on programme every other weekend is a long weekend (free from Thursday evening to Sunday), this meant there is plenty of time to explore southern Thailand and perhaps even further with your new friends; I visited Khoa Lak, Khoa Sok, Phi Phi islands, Phang Nga Bay, Phuket town and even Patong!
The marine conversation programme has such a variety of activities meaning every week is different, even after being there 6 weeks I was still doing new activities. Every week you visit the turtle conservation centre twice – cleaning tanks, treating their wounds and collecting data for a wider database. Along with the turtle project you do; beach cleans, butterfly surveys, bird walks, working in national parks, teaching conservation/English lessons at local schools in the community, mangrove surveys on canoes, once a month there is a week-long trip off base to stay on 2 islands doing camera trap work and whole hub Friday projects including: village cleans and teaching at English camps. Even in your down time at base there’s still optional extras to do such as cooking classes, weekly Wednesday night quizzes, early morning sun rises and movie nights. Before getting to Thailand I had my doubts and worries about the teaching aspect of the program as this is usually something I would shy away from however it was one of my favourite projects, along with the turtles of course, but the children are so keen and happy to learn and have so much respect for you. You are not forced to do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing while on project however there is plenty of opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone, if you’re not already out of it in Thailand!

Food is great, people are fab and the experience was one of a kind. There is something for everyone.

I have just got back from the most life changing six weeks spent at GVI Chiang Mai. I went out to complete my short term internship and gain an insight into conservation and ethical tourism - I have left with unforgettable memories, a new found passion for conservation and life long friends.
GVI Chiang Mai is home to the most amazing elephants - every hike is interesting and it is breathtaking to be able to spend time watching the elephants thrive in their natural environment. The relationship between mahouts and elephants is also so special to watch. I found the community side of the project to be the most rewarding and developing relationships with the local people is such an eye opening experience.
Completing the short term leadership internship made me grow in both professional and personal aspects of my life and has given me the confidence to chase any career I wish to pursue.
My advice to new volunteers and interns would be to grab every opportunity that arises in the village. Fully immerse yourself into the culture and the payback and feeling you get back is insane. This project has given me a whole new perspective on what I want to do career-wise after completing University and has made me into the best version of myself too.

I wasn't sure what to expect before coming to GVI Chiang Mai. I knew I would gain valuable experience and create unforgettable memories but I didn't expect to find people that I would consider to be my family after only six short weeks. Admittedly, the first week was overwhelming and adjusting to life in the village was a bit challenging but after meeting all of the Elephants and having my first village weekend I felt completely at home. Getting to experience the Karen culture by learning a new language and living in a home with the villagers has been an incredibly humbling and inspiring experience. Everyday holds a memory that I never want to forget and I feel so lucky have had this opportunity. I came for the Elephants but it is the people in the community and on project that have made me never want to leave.

GVI Chiang Mai has been an eye opening experience. I was unsure of what to expect from the village and could not prepare for the culture shock. I was overwhelmed upon arrival however I knew this was an experience of a lifetime. Six weeks later I have had the most unforgettable experience and made amazing friends. Seeing the elephants in their natural environment has been amazing and being completely immersed in a different culture has been inspiring. I have enjoyed learning a new language and spending time with my homestay family. This experience has changed my perspective of new cultures and throwing myself fully into everything that I do - just because a culture is different does not mean it is wrong.

This program is amazing. While in Thailand I met some great people that I will be friends with for the rest of my life and still keep in contact with. Gvi Chiang Mai is amazing for constant fun and entertainment by spending your days either in the forest with the elephants and mahouts or teaching English at the school and to the locals. While in the forest you get to see the natural environment which includes a wide variety of insects. Everyone is so friendly and makes everyone feel welcome. My favourite thing was just to sit and talk with the locals as they have really interesting stories about their history and beliefs.
I will 100% be going back to the village of Huay Pakoot and cannot wait to return to see how the elephants and villagers have changed.

A week is not enough! Don not make the same mistake I did...don't leave Chiang Mai!
The staff, the volunteers and even the local villagers are a family with open arms, always. If you are not hiking in the mountains with elephants, you're sitting on the hammocks in base looking into those mountains you hike in! It does not stop there, there is also a great amount of community work in the local village teaching at the nursery or local school. It definitely prepared me for teaching here in the UK!

The volunteering is only one side of the experience! Every weekend we had the opportunity to explore the rest of Thailand, from the Islands in Krabi to Pai and Chiang Mai! You're never lost for things to do and you're always surrounded by great people!
I can't wait to go back!

This program changed my life in such a positive way. I was only able to spend two weeks there but in those short two weeks I learned so much. Immersing myself in the culture of this village was mind blowing and I was able to see the world in a total different way. One of my favorite aspects was getting to teach both the students of this village but also some of the adults as well. Tutoring English to the native speaking adults was one of the highlights of this adventure for me. I also enjoyed learning the native language myself. Every aspect of this program had a positive effect on me and how I live my life today . Another highlight for me was that after completing my time there, the great outdoors really became "great". My love and appreciation for nature is on a whole other level after seeing not only this beautiful country but the different animals and nature in general within it. Spending time daily with the elephants was very appealing to me, and it is the first reason I had decided to go. I had always wanted to get to know these animals and I was blessed enough to see them almost once a day while I was there. They are fascinating and I immediately became obsessed with them. A part of my heart resides here in Huay Pakoot and I will never forget the affect it has had on my life. I was also able to meet people from across the world that I am still in touch with and hope to reunite with again someday. All in all GVI was a great experience for me and I plan on adding more hubs to my belt as time goes on.

The GVI Coastal Conservation Short Term Internship in Thailand was such an amazing experience! Due to other commitments I was only able to stay for the minimum internship length of 6 weeks, but I wish I could have stayed so much longer! I really enjoyed all the projects (turtles were amazing!), and enjoying doing my own leadership project (a microplastic assessment of a nearby beach). The GVI staff were so helpful in helping me conduct my leadership project, and I feel after completing my project I have had a big impact on the local community there and GVI Phang Nga. I gained so many skills and experiences from all the projects! And would recommend doing this program to everyone! If you are considering doing around 6 weeks or more of just the coastal conservation volunteer program, I do highly suggest considering doing the internship instead of the volunteer program! You will still get to do everything the normal volunteers do, but also get to gain so many more skills and experience from just a bit more work! Highly recommended!