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Institutional Member of
The College of Teachers
London, UK
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Volunteer Programs: Saigon, Vietnam
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About Vietnam |
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A country of contrasts, Vietnam offers a rich and varied cultural history, combined with the charm of a country which is still in the early stages of development. Vietnam, a name too long associated with the horrors of war, has finally won its last battle - to capture the imagination and attention of tourists from around the world.
From the dozens of islands in the south to the haunting beauty of Ha Long Bay, from the fertile land of the Mekong Delta to the rugged mountain ranges of the centre and north, Vietnam has at last opened its welcoming arms and smiling faces to the world.
Elegant Hanoi now vies with its dynamic sister, Ho Chi Minh City, for the attention of visitors drawn by the eclectic mix of old and new.
Out of town the scenes are timeless. Early morning on the Mekong Delta brings the daily floating markets where fruit and vegetables are sold. Everywhere the green patchwork of rice paddies stretches into the distance, broken only by the silhouette of water buffalo and conical-hatted workers bending down to tend the young plants.
As the number of tourists finding their way here soars, the word is out that this is a land not of bomb craters and army ordnance, but of shimmering paddy-fields and white sand beaches, vibrant cities and venerable pagodas. The speed with which Vietnam's population has been able to transcend the recent past comes as a surprise to visitors who are generally met with warmth and curiosity rather than shell-shocked resentment and war fatigue. Despite Vietnam's ongoing economic liberalization and the pressures of rapid development, this dignified country has managed to preserve its rich civilization and cultured society.
Vietnam is the S-shaped country taking up the easternmost part of Indochina with a long coastline of 3,300 km and a land area of 331,689 square kilometres. It is a rugged country of mountains, coastal plains, and river deltas. Cambodia and Laos lie to the west, China to the north and the South China Sea to the east.
Vietnam is not a war, but a country. This patriotic nation's history of fierce resistance goes back a lot further than its battle with the United States. Before ousting the Americans, the Vietnamese repelled French colonial forces and before that, overthrew their Chinese rulers, not to mention seeing off the terrifying Mongol hordes.
Vietnam's greatest resource is its friendly, welcoming people. Long closed to the outside world, Vietnam retains a charming innocence that most tourist regions lack. Yet in the decade since the country opened its doors to visitors, the country has built world-class hotels and tourism facilities with international standards and traditional Vietnamese hospitality. Vietnam is ready to take you on an unforgettable adventure.
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About Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) |
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Ho Chi Minh City is still more commonly referred to as ‘Saigon' by locals and visitors alike. Located in the south of the country, on a huge bend in the Saigon River, it is the largest city of Vietnam and the economic centre of the country.
Ho Chi Minh City is the heart and soul of Vietnam. It is a bustling, dynamic and industrious city. The streets, where much of the city's life takes place, is a myriad of shops, stalls, stands-on-wheels and vendors selling wares spread out on sidewalks. This teeming metropolis, while in step with modern progression, has beautiful temples, pagodas and churches, and retains the traditions of its ancient culture.
The people have embraced the opportunities offered to them as a result of the many multinational companies that have poured in from elsewhere in the world, but the city has still managed to retain its distinctly Asian feel.
The skyline has changed dramatically within the last ten years from a low-rise cityscape to one where the central area, District 1, is dotted with glittering skyscrapers housing international hotels, apartments and company offices.
Ho Chi Minh City has enjoyed more than 25 years of peace following decades of unrest. The French colonial structures and religious pagodas that dot the city lend charm, but the most famous sights are related to the American war and reunification.
There is something invigorating and intoxicating about the bustling streets and waterside activity. Dramatic high-rise buildings, their windows sparkling in the sunshine, dominate the shabby French colonial ones that are tucked away at their feet, while saffron-robed monks collecting alms walk past glitzy car showrooms and karaoke bars. Street children laugh constantly as they shine the shoes of businessmen shouting into their mobile phones, trying to make themselves heard above the cacophony of the thousands of motorbikes buzzing around the city.
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Volunteer Placement |
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Opened in 1986, this well established organisation provides education for over 200 children in order to give them a foundation for a better life. Their aim is to provide schooling for the very poorest families in the area. Children from disadvantaged families or broken homes are the ones who benefit from this incredible organisation.
In addition to education & vocational training skills, the School offers a home to currently 30 children. The background of these children often tells a very sad story. They stay at the school because they have no one who can take care of them properly. The school has two dormitories, with roughly equal number of boys & girls. The age range in this shelter is 6 to 19 years old. The school financially independent with limited government funding and rely mainly on outside donations. Financial and material sponsorship not only pays for teachers salaries, textbooks and food but it also allows other initiatives to come to fruition, such as a computer room, sports equipment and an English program.
Your program fee will help fund this English program and provide the school with some valuable teaching materials. It will also provide them with a teacher they would otherwise not be able to afford.
You will receive a monthly allowance of $100 USD, which will be sufficient to cover your basic food and other general costs. You should however, bring some more funds to subsidise your social life and any activities that you might want to peruse! There will be a small group of volunteers based at the same school or in the same area so you will have a group of friends and fellow teachers to help you get settled quickly. You can then focus on making a positive difference to the children and enjoying a truly life changing experience.
Duties
Teaching conversational English and assisting local English teachers; lesson planning, Activities etc
Working Hours
You can expect to work approximately 4-8 hours a day between 8.00am – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. Additional time will be spent lesson planning. An average working week is around 40 hours.
Resources
Some teaching materials are provided however volunteers may want to bring additional materials such as simple reading books, postcards, photos, games etc.
Food
We recommend that you acquire a taste for the local cuisine. You will receive a living allowance of 100 USD Per Month to cover your basic living costs however some Meals will be provided on campus and also if you’re living with a home-stay family.
Travel & Health Insurance
Travel & Health insurance is not so much an optional extra as an integral part of any program. Our Insurance Policies cover the obvious problems, such as a stolen wallet or purse, an accident or an illness. They also provide compensation for delays and cancellation, for damaged or lost luggage, and even a telephone help line for emergencies. The cost of your insurance is included in your program. Once we have confirmed your placement we will finalize your travel insurance documents and forward them to you by email around one month before your departure. |
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Program Package |
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Your Volunteer Program Package Includes:
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Four-Week, 125 Hour, Fully Certified TEFL/TESOL Training Course - including cultural orientation at our internationally accredited training centre in Saigon. |
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Internationally Recognised, Uniquely Numbered TEFL/TESOL certificate - Fully accredited and certified by the Ministry of Education, recognised worldwide. |
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Guaranteed Volunteer Teaching Placement - at our volunteer centre in Saigon |
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1-2 Months Volunteer Teaching Experience Leading to TEFL/TESOL Diploma Certificate - From the World TEFL School. |
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Travel & Living Allowance - of USD100.00 per month. |
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Vietnamese Language Course & Customs - 10-hour Introductory Vietnamese language course to help you get by each day. |
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Visa Forms & Support Letter - 100% Acceptance Guaranteed. |
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Private Furnished Accommodation - during training with fan, shower/wash room, fridge, room safe. |
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Placement Accommodation - Shared accommodation in the volunteer house not too far from the school is included in your program package. |
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Airport Pick Up & Transfer - to your prearranged hotel. |
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Travel Insurance & Private Health Care Insurance - Comprehensive insurance cover for the duration of your placement. |
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24-hour Support - you will receive full support, advice & assistance from your experienced program coordinator throughout your stay. Our coordinators are from the UK and have over 7 years experience living & working in Asia. |
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Nokia Mobile Phone & International Number - keep in touch with your folks back home. They can call you and you don’t pay for the incoming call! |
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Lonely Planet Travel Guide - in-depth guide book for Vietnam |
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Vietnamese - English Phrasebook - essential & useful for many years. |
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Starter Pack - including adaptor plug, maps, first-aid Kit, teaching materials, lesson plans, tiger balm, shoulder bag, flashlight, pens, notebook & more. |
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Excursion - to the Chu Chi tunnels used during the USA - Vietnam war |
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Accommodation |
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Basic private accommodation or shared dormitory-style accommodation on campus or home-stay accommodation with a local family is included in your program package. Your coordinator will allocate suitable accommodation for you depending on availability and location. We will endeavour to arrange private or home-stay accommodation for you but this may not always be possible - please be flexible.
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Basic Living Costs |
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Basic costs of living in Vietnam are significantly less than those of the UK or the US. If you're careful and on a shoestring budget, you could manage on around GBP 7.00 pounds a day, including food and accommodation. One can have a very nice meal with a drink for less than GBP 0.50 Pence. Eat western food and you can expect to pay at least GBP 1.50. A beer in a restaurant will cost between GBP 0.50 pence to 1.00 pound depending on the brand. Staple groceries also come cheap in supermarkets - a dozen eggs: 10 pence a litre of milk: 30 pence, baht, bottle of beer: 50 p, loaf of bread: 10 p, soft drink: 15 p. Like most Asian countries, wine is expensive at GBP 6.00 for a cheap bottle. Backpacker accommodation is available for GBP 2.00 per night! Exchange rates www.xe.com
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Health & Safety |
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There have been renewed outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) amongst poultry throughout Vietnam. There have been a number of human fatalities in this latest outbreak. The World Health Organisation is continuing to monitor the possibility of human-to-human transmission. If you are travelling to Vietnam, you should consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice before departure. The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low, provided you avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. You should read this advise in conjunction with the FCO’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet.
Serious or violent crimes against foreigners in Vietnam are rare, but you should remain vigilant for petty or opportunistic theft. Most visits are trouble-free.
You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
The standard of health care is sufficient in the major cities for treating minor injuries, but more complicated treatment may require evacuation to a third country.
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General |
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All applicants must be aged 20+ in excellent health with energy, enthusiasm and a positive outgoing attitude. No complainers please!
**Criminal record check required for all applicants**
Providing prompt consular assistance is difficult outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City because of Vietnam’s poorly developed infrastructure. It is essential that you have comprehensive travel/medical insurance.
You should bring enough money for your stay. US$ are most widely accepted. Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted, but outside main centres you may find cash the only acceptable currency and find it difficult to cash travellers’ cheques. ATM distribution is still poor and limited to the major cities and tourist areas. It is possible to have funds transferred to Vietnam via international money transfer companies.
Foreign passport holders can exchange up to US dollars 500-worth of Vietnamese dong back into US dollars on departure.
When checking into a hotel, you will have to surrender your passport so that the hotel can register your presence with the local police. It is advisable to carry a photocopy of the data page from your passport, which can be used as proof of identity
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Prices & Dates |
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Apply Now |
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No fee is required to apply for a place on the program. Due to the high number of applications we receive each day we are only able to hold your reservation for 30 days. Once your application has been accepted we will require a non-refundable deposit of GBP£299 (approx USD$580) to secure your placement. The remaining balance will then be due 2 x months prior to the program start date. We will process your application immediately and contact you within 24 hours.
Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
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