Programs
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FAQ
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Notice Board
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
This project is an internship at an NGO in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which helps local villagers live better lives. This organization conducts various projects to provide education, welfare, employment, and sustainable income to the residents of a small village about 75 km from the city. Plan and execute various projects for the local residents with volunteers from all over the world!
1. Planning Your Own Project
This program is recommended for those who want to plan and execute their own projects instead of participating in pre-set projects. The local organization allows volunteers to choose fields that match their interests and talents and conduct projects autonomously. For example, you can develop strategies to promote and sell handicrafts made by villagers or research the environment to develop plans that can aid local development. Challenge yourself to run a unique project that only you can do!
2. Experiencing an Internship Full of Learning with Excellent Colleagues
The value of your experience can vary greatly depending on where and with whom you work, right? The local organization is an NGO founded by a Harvard-educated American couple, and specialists and researchers with expertise in various fields conduct projects to improve the quality of life for Thai villagers in education, environment, agriculture, and more. Additionally, this project actively involves students from prestigious universities in the U.S. and Europe. Therefore, you can experience a professional overseas internship for 12 weeks with experts and college friends from various fields. We highly recommend this program for those who want to build their career overseas and learn with global talents.
3. Experiencing Real-Life Education Related to Regional Development
Here, you can directly experience how the lives of villagers change through development in the environment and agriculture fields. If you have always been interested in regional development in developing countries, pay attention! The local organization is striving for the growth of villages through sustainable development in the Chiang Mai region of Thailand. An example is the agricultural education project using biochar and organic fertilizer currently in operation. Through this project, you can gain hands-on field experience in regional development and have the opportunity to bring about small changes in Chiang Mai with your own hands!
4. Trying and Challenging Anything Without Fear
Through the experience of creating opportunities for yourself, you can have the confidence that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Instead of being restricted by many situations and environments, you can freely attempt anything you want in your own way. At first, it may feel awkward and scary to take the lead in doing something, but after trying once or twice, you will discover what you truly want to do. If you have always felt frustrated being confined to a framework, how about finding out what you are really good at through small attempts this time?
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Gap year planners highly recommend this!! Here’s the project plan developed and overseen by the planner. Have you ever imagined that your small effort could become a dream and hope for someone else? In a small village in Chiang Mai, Thailand, you can plan the project you want and change the village. You can help children in the village become intellectuals by running a library project or establish a fair distribution culture to prevent workers from being exploited. The project you start can change the village. Is there anything more thrilling than this? |
■ Grow with the Project
| Early Stage of the Project | Mid-Stage of the Project | Late Stage of the Project |
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| STUDY IT | EXPERIENCE IT! | BREAKTHROUGH |
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◇ Learning Business English Needed for Work ◇ Experiencing Local Culture through Thai Villagers in Chiang Mai |
◇ Feeling Emotions Arising from the Simple Natural Environment of the Local Area ◇ Feeling a Sense of Achievement from Project Results |
◇ Increased Confidence to Challenge Anything ◇ Strengthening Proactivity through Voluntary Project Execution |
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Currently, experts from various countries are coming together in Chiang Mai to make a difference through various projects such as 'Children's Home' and 'Scarf Making'. Join us to gain hands-on experience with an international NGO and create your own project to bring new hope to the community!
■ Areas of Activity
1) Management Support: Activities to ensure that volunteers' tasks are carried out smoothly.
- Project Management: Manage volunteer tasks, plan and operate daily projects, communication.
- Financial Management: Build accounting and inventory management systems (using accounting management systems like QuickBooks).
2) Education: With the growing importance of English education in Thailand, conduct educational activities to improve the English skills of local children.
- English Education: Systematic English education for local residents and students.
3) Environment / Agriculture: The organization is researching and experimenting with new agricultural technologies for local residents, promoting sustainable agricultural techniques and new farming methods.
- Research on Eco-Friendly Alternative Farming Methods: Farm management and operations, research and implementation of new farming methods, execution of existing research.
- Biochar / Organic Fertilizer Research: Biochar production and management, assistance in developing new fertilizers, equipment management and improvement, assisting in outdoor training and presentations for local residents.
| * Biochar: Refers to natural organic fertilizer made from charcoal and has become a key project of the organization. |
4) Public Health: Regularly visit elderly and disabled individuals to help them live comfortably.
- Public Health Management: Support regular visits and check-ups, data analysis and management, field surveys, development and operation of public health systems.
- Physical Therapy / Nursing: Establish and manage treatment plans, health management through communication with residents, manage medical records.
5) Microfinance: Revitalize traditional handicraft techniques of local residents and help them become self-sufficient by creating competitive products in the market. Connect local artisans with markets and introduce new designs and trends.
- Fashion Designer: Develop and produce new products, commercialize existing products, market research, conduct fashion-related education.
6) Promotion & Communication: Promote the organization to the public and conduct fundraising activities.
- Marketing / PR / Social Media Management: Develop and execute overall public communication strategies, create promotional materials, establish and implement fundraising strategies, manage the organization’s social media (Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, etc.).
- Photographer: Take photos of organization events, activities, and programs, manage photo content, photo editing and material production.
- Videographer: Film and create content for organization events, activities, and programs, storyboard/film/edit videos, online upload.
■ Additional Information
- Tasks will be assigned based on participants' majors, experience, and abilities.
- Projects are run independently by the volunteers, so please approach your activities with an active and independent attitude.
- Apart from the listed tasks, you can also learn or freely plan and manage tasks in other areas according to your willingness.
- Projects may vary depending on the organization’s field conditions and timing.
- Please specify your preferred tasks as precisely as possible when filling out the application form.
■ Important Information for Applicants!
When assigned as an intern in Thailand, you will need to request visa-related documents from the local organization. Preparing and sending these documents, applying for a visa at the embassy with these documents, and the visa issuance process will take about 3-4 weeks. Therefore, for this project, please apply with a minimum of 2 months in advance.
▲ Videos taken by participants of the project.
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■ English Proficiency Required★★★★☆ Since you will be supporting the practical work of a local NGO, you need a certain level of professional English proficiency for tasks such as document preparation, data analysis, and project proposals. Basic communication in English is necessary for effective project operation and interaction with staff.
* If you want to gain experience through this project but feel unsure about your English skills, we recommend that you build basic English skills through a language study program linked with this project. |
" Even though I was just a Korean staying for a short time, on my last day at the workplace, I was moved by the sight of children blocking my way because they didn't want me to leave. There were many times when I worried whether I was doing well, but Michael Schaefer, the founder, was very kind to me and made me tear up by telling me that he believed I could do anything well once I returned to Korea." -dada56
" Coming to Thailand and leading the project, taking on many tasks made me feel a sense of responsibility more than any other work, and I enjoyed working and laughing freely with the kids. Also, I have always dreamed of working abroad, and although I realized that working in a foreign land is not easy, I felt that I became a little stronger as a result." -eunsun0268
* Detailed reviews from participants can be checked at Gap Year Stories (click).
* More participant reviews can be found at the bottom of the project under "Participant Reviews".
SUPPORT
 Local Orientation |
 Online Orientation |
 Online Consultation |
 Certificate of Completion |
 KGY Certification |
 Pre-Departure Care |
 KGY Consultation |
 KGY Mission |
 24hr Emergency Care |
 Airplane Ticket |
 Real-Time Consultation Service |
 KGY Note Book |
 Project Registration and Participation Fee |
 Gap Year Mission Scholarship |
 OT Materials |
 Local Intern Accommodation (Single Room) |
 Project Execution and Education |
 Basic Food Ingredients Provided |
 Shared Dining Area and Kitchen (Equipped with Cooking Utensils) |
 Pickup Service Upon Arrival |
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Detailed Support Information
- The monthly living expenses can be used for food, laundry, and utility bills (water and electricity).
- Participants can cook their own meals in the shared kitchen or buy meals at the institution's dining hall.
You can buy meals with the monthly living expenses or purchase additional ingredients to cook yourself (the shared kitchen is equipped with cooking utensils, each meal costs about 900 KRW).
- The local health checkup for the work permit includes X-rays and blood tests.
Not Included
- Round-trip airfare
- Individual travel insurance
- Deposit for accommodation and motorbike
- Other Local Stay Expenses
- Visa issuance fee
* The deposit for accommodation and motorbike will be paid locally and refunded after the end of the participation period, provided there are no issues.
* Please book your flight and transportation after receiving final confirmation of your project participation and departure schedule.
INSTITUTION INTRODUCTION
An American former professor and his wife established an NGO in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2009 to address poverty issues in poor rural villages. They primarily provide shelter and education to improve the quality of life for children from hill tribes. Additionally, they are developing the local community by running coffee farms and producing organic silk scarves. Besides the scheduled volunteer activities, participants can actively engage in various projects, gaining experience in multiple fields of international development through this internship.
ACCOMMODATION INTRODUCTION
| Single room / Ingredients provided / Private or shared bathroom / WIFI available |
- The local institution is located 20 km away from the city center.
Participants may commute by bicycle or motorcycle with other volunteers, depending on the accommodation.
During the pre-departure training, volunteers will receive safety training for motorcycle use.
LOCATION INTRODUCTION
Location : Chiang Mai, Thailand
SCHEDULE AND PRICES
■ The minimum participation period for this project is 12 weeks.
- 12 weeks: 2,660,000 KRW
* For popular projects, there might be no availability, so please apply quickly to secure your spot.
If we calculate the value of the gap year benefits with local prices, TOTAL approximately 6,675,000 KRW!
However, by participating in the Gap Year Project, you can save up to 4,361,000 KRW!
* This cost is based on 12 weeks, applying the Gap Year Care Service and a maximum scholarship of 257,000 KRW.
■ Gap Year Mission ( ▶ Learn More )
■ Installment Payment Information
For those who cannot pay in full, please make an initial deposit of 500,000 KRW and pay the remaining balance within 2 weeks. Based on the date of the deposit, the process for confirming project participation will proceed, and we will check the availability and slot status. It is important to secure your spot early to participate on your desired dates and duration! (No refunds after confirmation)
* Please note that if the start date is approaching, the payment schedule for the remaining balance may vary.
All Gap Year projects are recommended to be applied for at least 3 months before the project start date for proper processing and preparation. The principle is to apply at least 2 months in advance. However, if there are unavoidable reasons or if an emergency application is needed, additional fees apply for expedited processing.
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- Provided Services: Gap Year Mission and note automatic application / OT materials provided immediately upon confirmation / Additional urgent staff allocation / Preparation support if needed, etc.
* If you have difficulty calculating dates, please use the Naver Date Calculator >> Naver Date Calculator
** Note: For ultra-urgent applications, there may be no availability depending on local conditions, and the procedure will proceed according to the Gap Year refund policy. Also, any issues caused by the participant's non-cooperation are the responsibility of the participant.
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WiFi Available
Local Health Checkup 
Monthly Living Expenses Provided
Assistance with Local Transportation Rental 
