
Can special dietary requirements be accommodated?
Yes, many international volunteers have had special dietary needs, and host families can accommodate vegetarians, as well as other dietary needs. If you have dietary restrictions, please notify GSC as early as possible, and an appropriate host family will be assigned to you. Back
How do Thailand volunteers get around?
During the orientation, small groups usually use public transportation and taxis to get around Bangkok. If there are large groups, GSC rents a van. On a daily basis homestay volunteers will usually get a ride from their host family to and from their project site, and some homes for are within walking or biking distance. Short-term volunteers are provided transportation by GSC to and from their project site.Back
How will I communicate with GSC staff in Thailand while I’m there?
Our In-Country Staff can always be reached by mobile phone, simply ask your homestay or worksite to call. Back
Will I need a phone while I’m there? How can I contact home?
Phones aren’t necessary, but they can be purchased in Bangkok during your orientation and will cost around $30-$50 for a second hand phone (plus airtime minutes). If your cell phone carrier uses SIM Cards in their phones (AT&T, Cingular, T-Mobile), they can be used in Thailand by simply purchasing a Thai SIM Card ($8) plus airtime minutes. Be sure to call your carrier before departure and obtain the code to unlock your SIM Card. Additionally, all Thailand volunteers have access to a phone either at their worksite or at their homestay. Back
Will there be internet access?
All the hospitals GSC works with have internet access. However, use of the internet at the hospitals should be limited to simple email communication. Some schools have internet access, but the connection speed is very slow. Volunteer participants are easily able to arrange transportation into the nearest town to their project site to visit internet cafes. Back
How much spending money is appropriate?
International volunteer will get the chance to do some shopping and sightseeing during the orientation so if you’re planning on picking up gifts you should bring a little extra money. All expenses are covered on the trip, but if a volunteer wants to travel on their own they should bring additional funds. $300 is often sufficient for covering shopping, extra food, extra traveling, accommodations, and transport. GSC also recommends bringing travelers checks. They can be cashed in Bangkok or at the banks in the provinces. Although there are ATM machines everywhere, which have good exchange rates, there are hefty international withdrawal fees from some banks that overseas volunteers should watch out for. Back
Are there ATM machines near project sites?
Yes, in most Thai towns you will find many ATM machines! There are also plenty of banks where Thailand volunteers can exchange money. Back
When will I know who my homestay is?
GSC will make every effort to provide international volunteers with relevant information regarding host families 1-2 weeks prior to departure. However, this is not guaranteed and depends on when all documentation provided by participants (PBI, personal statement, program fees) are received by GSC. At the very latest, Thailand volunteers will be provided with information on homestays during the first week of orientation. Back
Do host families speak English?
Most homestay hosts have low levels of English proficiency, but they are eager to learn and make every effort to spoil the volunteers in every way possible. Living with a host family will be a great way for you to improve your Thai skills and fully immerse yourself in the language and culture! Back
What kinds of gifts should I bring for my homestay?
'American' items are best. Ex: college t-shirts or baseball caps, toys for children, calendars from your home town, and photos of you and your family. Back
How far are Thailand volunteers usually placed from each other?
In general, participants may be placed up to 1-2 hours away from each other, however this depends on project placements. Back
What is an example of a Wat that GSC places overseas volunteers at?
The primary host wat located about two hours west of Bangkok is an excellent placement for GSC participants who wish to truly immerse themselves in Buddhist culture and tradition and further their knowledge of the Buddhist religion. This wat is a beautiful temple complex containing numerous ordination halls and temple buildings on 33 acres of land. Approximately 200 monks and 70 novice monks live, worship, and study at the wat. While at the wat, GSC Thailand volunteers are supervised by a PhD American monk who has been living at the temple for over three years and is bilingual. He leads volunteers in up to three meditation sessions throughout the day. Volunteers are also able to observe and participate in morning and evening meditation and chanting with monks at the temple. Back
Who arranges the English classes at Wat Bot and how often do Thailand volunteers teach?
Two of the older monks, who head up the English department at the temple school, arrange teaching schedules for GSC participants. On average, participants teach 3 to 4 periods per day to the novice monks. Back
Will someone at the Wat speak English?
Yes. All the GSC host wats have older monks who are proficient English speakers and oversee Thailand volunteers. Some of the wats may also have visitors or transient nuns/monks as well as other visitors that speak English. Back
Are the Wats co-ed?
There are always monks at the wat and sometimes nuns. There is often a men’s and a women’s living quarters that are separated from each other. Both men and women are allowed to take part in chanting and other temple activities. Back
What is Wat life like for a woman as opposed to a man?
Many women participate in our Buddhist Immersion volunteer program; however their experience is slightly different from that of male participants because the monks must restrict their contact with women. As a result, female overseas volunteers should be conscious never to touch a monk, and understand that they therefore cannot hand anything directly to the monks or novice monks. However, there is nothing in Buddhist law or tradition that prohibits western women from talking to and learning from monks, or observing and experiencing Buddhism in Thailand. Back
What is appropriate Wat attire?
Lay persons spending extended periods of time at temples in Thailand generally wear basic white garments that symbolize purity. For men – loose and light white fisherman’s pants and a white tunic (like pajamas). And for women - a meditation sash, fisherman’s pants or “pasin” white skirt (a sheet that is folded over into a skirt) and a white tunic. This clothing will either be provided for you at the wat, or can be purchased from the wat for a nominal fee. Back
What are the accommodations like at the wat?
Very basic. Thailand volunteers usually sleep on a straw mat with blankets and a pillow on a wooden, concrete, or linoleum floor. They are also provided with Thai style bathrooms and a fan. Volunteers stay in a special living quarters that is designated for visitors (it is common for Thais to visit their local or preferred temple to stay for a couple days for meditation and chanting), and therefore may be staying in the same room as local lay people. Monks sleep inside the temple itself. International volunteers are responsible for hand washing their own laundry with water and detergent.
Thailand volunteers who wish to teach at a temple school for local children have the option of either staying in basic accommodations at the temple or staying with local host family and traveling to the wat each day. Back

