Birgit's Volunteer Life:Hello everybody, my name is Birgit Hofmann, I am 28 years old and have just finished my teaching degree back home in Germany. Before starting work as a high school teacher for English and German, I decided to treat myself to a trip around the world, experiencing foreign cultures and visiting beautiful countries – for example Thailand, where I joined “Learn to Give” for three weeks (which, really, was too short).
After my arrival in early February 2008 I spent a few days in Ubon with university students and other volunteers and then moved to the village of Namkhun, where I stayed with a beautiful and friendly lady and her family for the rest of my time in Thailand. I taught at a different place every day: I worked at three different schools in total, but I also taught staff at the district offices of Namkhun and Nam Yuen and their non-formal education students, which meant that my students were between 11 and 60 years old. Teaching at the schools was often hard work, because classes were big (25 to 45 students), I had hardly any materials, and English levels were generally low, but with the help of the local English teachers and Aidan, the most famous “falang” in Ubon, I got the hang of it pretty quickly and actually had a lot of fun.
Most of the students (especially the girls) were very motivated, too, and Thai children in general are very well-behaved compared to their western counterparts, which made things a lot easier.
Of course teaching in Thailand entailed a learning experience for me, too: I learned a lot about the “Thai way of life” and especially about its spontaneity and flexibility. Mai pen rai!
On the weekends my hosts took me on trips around the area, and if there was something happening in one of the villages on the evenings they took me there, too. I was very well cared for, and the food was delicious, of course (although often quite unusual for my palate J).
Everybody was very friendly and interested, and also eager to learn English, so that I was never really “off work”. In return, I was able to improve my Thai skills bit by bit – but as I said, three weeks really was not enough, which is why I hope to return one day and stay for a longer period of time. At this point I want to thank everybody who took care of me, especially Ae, Aidan, Rung, Netting, Ying, Kwan, Pi Nang, Mr. Sompong and Sumalee.
All the best for you guys and all the students, teachers and volunteers in and around Ubon!
Cheers, Birgit
