hi michelle

sorry for the delay in answering but I have been en-route to NZ wioth very little internet access. To answer your question, my placement is with original volunteers. It's for up to 12 weeks ion Thailand and I am due to arrive on 25th Jan but it is totally flexible so things could change if I decide to stay in NZ a while longer.Hope that helps and maybe see you in Thailand.

Marian xx

hello there!

I read you post from another discussion and was interested in finding out what service you got your voluntary position thru? I am looking to land in Thailand Feb. 1st, 2011 and look for jobs once I arrive. I am not confident this is the wisest thing to do due to the headache of the visa runs and such but have read on other sites that securing a job before you go is not recommended. So...here we both are! I hope you are having fun and safe travels!!

Regards,

Michelle

Hi guys

Well, all booked now - 7th December fly to KL for a short break (5 days) en-route to NZ. Christmas with some friends over there. Then from NZ - fly to Bangkok (via 3 days in the YHA at Coolangatta) to start my volunteer teaching. Don't know where in Thailand I'll be - they will tell me when I'm met at Bangkok airport. Only have a 30 day visa at the mo so, if I get on ok and they like me, I can go on a 'visa run' and extend this for another 30 days......and so on.....No plans after that. I have contacted Robert Clarke re working in China but not had a freply yet so WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!  Hope everyone is well and happy (and is enjoying better weather than our gales and downpours here in the UK!!) x

hi "slinky".  thanks for joining the MAT group.  you're never too old until you say you are!

regards, Terry

Hi Shanshan. Thanks for the info but I have just found out I'm too old for Indonesia!!!! I'm gutted - apparently the max age is 50 and I'm 56 :o(

Well rainy season was an extra 2 months this year. It can rain from 10 minutes up to an hour. but when it rains it RAINS!!!! The other day we were stuck in traffic because of the flood and the taxi was less than an inch away of water coming in through the door.

I have to say my favourite thing about Indonesia is the storms. Ive never seen lighting so bright before and thunder so loud. I keep trying to explain it to people back home but its something you can only expereince.

Dont worry about the rain just always leave extra time for traffic. Indonesians are scared of the rain so if they can help it they wont be on the road. :)

Hi Shanshan. Thanks for the info.  It sounds great apart from - THE RAIN!!!  How bad is it and for how long? x

Hi. How are you. Ive been teaching in Indonesia since February. The weather is amazing the lowest it has ever been is 25 degrees at night time. Once you get out of the city thats when you see the beauty of the country. Living in Jakarta is good as I love cities but the traffic is bad!!! A 15 minute ride could take you up to an hour or more if the roads are flooded.

The people here are very friendly and always want to talk to you. A teacher has joined my school from Ireland and hasnt got a degree and is doing just fine and the managers and other teachers are always there to help.

Be prepared to be extremly patient as they take life at a relaxed pace. I went to Bandung this weekend and our driver said we had to leave the hotel at 6 as he had to get back to Jakarta for a wedding. However we all woke up at 7, us westerners were rushing around trying to get ready ASAP, but we were shocked when he asked us to go downstairs and eat breakfast. We didnt leave until 9.

Indonesia is really nice country once you get exploring but make sure you do your research before you book a plane ticket. 

Hope that helps. any questions just ask.

Hi,

Welcome to Chalkboard! If you don't have a degree I'd look into Indonesia. To get an idea of what it's like, you might want to chat to these people who are teaching there at the minute/have taught there:

http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/shanshan

http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/robertclarke

Good luck!

Hi guys. I am 56 and nearing the end of my course. I am currently making plans to go overseas at the start of next year and am looking at Thailand, Indonesia, Caribbean - AS YOU CAN SEE I DON'T DO COLD!!!! I would love to hear from anyone currently teaching/volunteering in these places or similar aged people with advice/experiences on other destinations I could consider. Must mention that I DON'T have a Uni degree and am finding this quite limiting. Many thanks x