Teaching English Samantha - Oct 07 "I also wanted to just give you and your team a big thank you for being so great with us over the past few months. Subai and Erng have been the best reps and have made us feel welcome and helped us whenever we needed it. I know it has been a great comfort to us all here and my family at home knowing that we have such a great support network. I am grateful also for your speedy responses to any of my questions it has made things a lot easier.
We all enjoyed school so much. The children are such eye openers. I feel that schools like Maduawan do need extra help as their confidence in English is very low so it was a pleasure to have fun with them and try and get them out of their shells.
The island is a beautiful setting and the accommodation was perfect we are very grateful for such a lovely place to stay. The whole PoD package was well organised and included so much that all of us will definitely be thinking of doing a placement with you again." Alex - Oct 07 "I wanted to say how much I've enjoyed the past two months on Koh Phangan. I will really miss Wat Rat as I thoroughly enjoyed my placement there. The teachers and the students were so welcoming, and Belinda and I were treated to a meal by the teachers when we left, which was very lovely of them.
I also wanted to say how well looked after we've been by Erng, Subai and yourselves, and how organised the whole placement was. Your speedy replies via e-mail and the knowledge that Erng or Subai were only a few minutes away made our time on Koh Phangan a lot easier, and more enjoyable.
I will really miss Subai and Erng! And I hope the new volunteers have as good a time as we did. I know they are arriving on Koh Phangan today, and I am very envious! Thanks again." Megan - Jan 08 "After trailing through countless websites and brochures of Gap Year organisations, I came across PoD, and after that I stopped looking! PoD appealed to me because it was a small organisation and offered exactly the kind of project I was looking for. PoD was great from the start, they were always ready to answer any questions, and were extremely helpful in getting me prepared for my trip.
This was my first time alone, and going away for four months seemed pretty daunting. However the only obstacle I had to tackle alone was getting from the airport to the hotel, which was easy. Subai and Erng (Thai PoD representatives) met me there and soon we became one big happy family. There were seven other girls, and even though we were a complete mix of ages we got on brilliantly. We spent a week in Bangkok, on a short TEFL course, this was quite intensive and not always enjoyable but it was useful for when we began teaching.
Koh Phangan is a beautiful island, and it really did become ‘home’. It has secluded bits and a brilliant nightlife, and is big enough so that you can always explore somewhere new. We stayed in the nicest beach huts on the island; they were luxurious compared to anything else I stayed in on my travels! I was lucky as I could walk to the school I was teaching at, but the others had a nice air-conditioned taxi so perhaps I wasn’t all that lucky! I was working with Mel, a primary school teacher, which was great as I learnt so much from her. The teaching was challenging, we definitely had the most naughty children by far. After setting out some ground rules though things improved and we really began to see the differences in our lessons. Mel and I decided to split some of the bigger classes, as they were unmanageable. This worked really well, and allowed us to have some time teaching alone. I took five boys out of one class who couldn’t read English and so were really naughty in class because they couldn’t understand. After the two months, they could read a simple book and could say the whole alphabet. This was definitely the highlight of the teaching, and I was so sad to say bye to them. The teachers were welcoming in particular Kru Saow who was really great. I did find it frustrating at times because the education system is so different there, and you feel that the children could be learning so much more, however once you accept the differences it is easier to do what you can in the classroom and have fun at the some time.
The whole experience was unforgettable; I made some fantastic friends, we even went on to travel together for a while after the project. I also really got to know a particular place, which is difficult to achieve if you are travelling. My time in Koh Phangan allowed me to build up my confidence and settle in to life in Thailand so that I felt more relaxed about travelling further in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Just before we left Koh Phangan Alex and Jirapan invited us to a BBQ on the beach. It was a lovely evening and made me wonder, how often do people get to meet the founders of the Gap Year organisation they have travelled with? I doubt it is many, and it was this personal touch, evident throughout the trip that made me really glad I chose PoD." Frances - Jan 08 "I really enjoyed the time I spent on PoD's project teaching English in a Thai primary school. I felt we had excellent back up from Subai and Erng who were nearby to help us if there were any problems and that PoD as an organisation exceeded all my expectations.
The teaching was fun and gave an insight into Thailand which you wouldn't otherwise get. Sometimes the children were challenging as they could be noisy and boisterous but they were also enthusiastic and had a great sense of humour and I was very sad to say goodbye when the placement came to an end. Overall it was a fantastic experience and I would love to go back and do it again.
When I wasn't teaching there were lots of things going on to keep you busy. We did some Thai boxing, aerobics, a lot of lying on the beach and at weekends went off scuba diving and to see other places nearby. The different trips which PoD organised were great and I will certainly never forget riding an elephant!" Kate - May 06 "I would, without doubt, recommend PoD as a fantastic way to teach abroad. I really can't explain how amazing the time we spent on Koh Phangan was - there was the perfect level of training and support throughout and the people and place were absolutely fantastic. I doubt that there are many other schemes which allow you to so fully immerse yourself into the life of a school and community, whilst having enough time to have loads of fun and make the most of the amazing island and its surroundings. My focus at the moment is saving enough money to go back! I was always given a same-day response to the (numerous!) queries I had during and after the application process and felt like one of the PoD representatives was never further than a phone call away. The training was great fun and left me feeling confident and fully prepared to go into the classroom. Both cultural and teaching-related issues were covered in great detail. It has also helped to prepare me for my PGCE course this year." Mike - May 07 "It is a great way to try something different in a supportive environment but still have the sense that you are on holiday. I can't really put a price on the great experience i had, and feel that PoD are very trustworthy in their dealings. Thanks again to PoD for providing a great opportunity." Martina - May 07 "I found everything to be excellent, particularly the support on the island from Erng and Subai. Also the fact the PoD were very concerned that teachers carried out their role as expected." Katie - May 06 "Thoroughly enjoyed the placement; friendly staff and lovely children, although they weren't as well behaved as expected - but we worked around that!! I feel so much happier since this experience - it taught me a great deal more about myself and who I am and I feel a lot stronger for it. It is such a valuable and worthwhile experience - thank you!!" Kate - Jan 07 "I would recommend this placement to everyone as its a really fun thing to do in an amazing part of the world. It gave me the confidence to travel and now I've got the bug! The placement was one of the best things i have done in my life and even better then i expected when i first came out." Helen - May 06 "Brilliant. I wish I could work there forever. Considering I was such a latecomer I was so impressed that I was still allowed to come. You were very helpful and instilled confidence in me that I could get everything done in time." Alice - Jan 06 "I would recommend PoD as the teaching programme is rewarding and fun and set in the location where you can enjoy your surroundings. The whole placement is well run and value for money." Lisa - Oct 05 "A challenge at times but excellent fun. I really enjoyed the teaching and am very proud of the work myself and Sally did in school. PoD training and support was great, just enough to mould your own experience whilst having guidance and support. First week or so for introduction was excellent, PoD are involved but also value you as adults and leave you to form friendships and have your own experience. Gade's on going help was great." Erol - Jan 05 "The place was better than I ever imagined. Children were brilliant. I definitely recommend PoD it was brilliant, saw a beautiful place and met lovely people both local and the other teachers. I also felt a high level of job satisfaction when teaching and was sad to teach the last lesson. Thanks to you and everyone involved." Samantha - May 05 "I thought Koh Phangan was a wonderful place to teach and live for 3 months, rural but not too much and you were really able to feel apart of Thai life. Found it extremely rewarding and enjoyable and I feel we actually helped the kids. Fantastic place to go with great support and a good setup from PoD. Very good value for money. Brilliant. Thanks PoD." Polly - Oct 04 "I loved the teaching, had a huge amount of support from the school and staff. PoD training was efficient and informative offering a good insight into TEFL. Support from PoD was always close by, offering encouragement and friendship. I would definitely recommend PoD to others with a teaching interest because it was an amazing opportunity and fantastic environment." Alistair - Jul 04 "The teaching was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has confirmed my desire to teach permanently. The children did not behave as well as I expected but I found them to be eager to learn once they knew that I was their teacher - not a friend. The TEFL course was great. My time teaching in Thailand has greatly enhanced my PGCE application. I hope you continue to do such a good job in providing people with the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of others." Michael - Jan 04 "I think the island of Koh Phangan is beautiful and also think that it is ideal for a gap year placement because there is a good infrastructure for non–Thai people. The teaching has been very enjoyable. At first I really wasn’t sure but after the training I felt slightly better. Sometimes it was difficult to think of lesson plans although as the weeks went by it got easier. The children in most cases were bright and willing to learn. Our classes at first were shy – like their teachers - but towards the end they were volunteering answers and coming to write on the board. I think that PoD’s vision for the gap year placement is faultless. I would definitely recommend this placement to others. The PoD set up is challenging yet supportive. I can not find fault in the PoD programme. Thank you PoD!!!" Charly - Jan 04 "Teaching – the most rewarding experience of my life. The greatest opportunity, that I am so glad I made most of, a true honour." Summer English CampsGopal - Jul 07 "Working with the Personal Overseas Development (PoD) team was an absolutely fantastic experience. The accommodation was great and the English Summer Camps held at the schools were full of fun. Teaching English alongside other volunteers gave me a unique opportunity to develop both as an individual and as a team player; learning valuable skills that will unquestionably benefit me in the future. Most importantly for me, the project allowed me to do my part in making a small difference in the lives of many grateful children. I have made great friends and have come back with priceless memories and an immense sense of satisfaction. I would wholeheartedly recommend volunteering with PoD to everyone. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. GO PoD!!" Kate - Jul 07 "PoD summer camps offer a wonderful opportunity to become properly involved in the culture of Thailand. Through working with the children you become more than a mere tourist, and become aware of the complexities of this fascinating country. Its also a great change to meet new people who become good friends." Emily - Jul 07 "My time in Thailand with PoD has certainly been the best experience I have ever had. I met the most amazing people through PoD and I know that we will keep in touch. The two weeks I spent teaching were so fulfilling. Seeing the children at the schools excited about us being there made it so worthwhile. The teaching was brilliant as we got to bring loads of fun into helping the children with their English. I would definitely do something like this again because it really is an amazing experience to go to another country, learn about different cultures, and meet new people. Go PoD" Neha - Jul 07 "I just wanted to take this opportunity to say that my time with the PoD team gave me an unforgettable experience. I was given the chance to make so many friends with my fellow PoD colleagues (included short-term friendships with the school children) I was also able to develop so many skills which I will be able to take with me throughout my career in medicine including leadership, organisational, interpersonal and teamwork skills. The two week programme also allowed for us to have a break and get to know the island a lot better with the island tour and the Thai cooking classes which was endless amounts of fun. You'll be glad to know I cooked a Thai meal for my family and they were so shocked by how amazing the food was...which was very surprising to them as I don't tend to cook!lol I miss being a part of the PoD team and I want to thank you all for the guidance and amazing time that we had on Koh Phangan which would not have been possible without yourselves. Give my love to everyone and I do hope to travel with PoD again next year and have not stopped telling stories about Thailand!" Felicity - Jul 07 "Thank you so much for such a fantastic experience. The camps were hard work but also a lot of fun! Made some great friends in a beautiful and interesting place doing something truly worthwhile! I went straight from school to university so the 2 week summer camp programme was a wonderful way to get a taste of the gap year experience...although it seemed to pass far too quickly!" Sarika - Jul 07 "I would recommend the the Summer English Camps in Thailand without a doubt! It was so much fun and such a rewarding experience. The island is beautiful and the support from PoD was brilliant! I am so glad I went!!" Dog and Cat care Tina - Jan 06 "Fabulous island to be living on, friendly population and good diversity of things to do. Liberty bungalow basic but with an atmosphere that was hard to find anywhere else on the island. Excellent food and excellent hostess. The Centre and animal care work: Brilliant! Loved every minute. If you love animals, dogs especially, and want to work in an environment where you can be with them all day - this is the place to be. Staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. I went to Koh Phangan on my own and found I had a ready made social life when I got there! I didn’t know what to expect but was really impressed with the dedication for Por and Shevaun and how easy it was to fit in. They do an incredible job in difficult circumstances. As a first time traveller I really appreciated being met on Samui and looked after until I started work. The info pack was also very welcome. I have been sharing my experience with friends and have indeed passed on PoD details. My enthusiastic stories of where I have been, seen and done have prompted people to consider doing something similar. THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!!" Lara-Sue - Apr 07 "I am really really really enjoying my time here thanks. The girls are lovely. Liberty are looking after me well too, thanks." Louise - Oct 06 "Overall I got more out of my placement than I expected, I learnt new nursing skills and watched vets and nurses treat sick animals under very simple and hard conditions, the best bit is I actually had a big role to play in it all!! And felt really needed, and appreciated. I LOVED my placement! One of the most precious times I've had in all my life!" Claire - Aug 05 "The place is beautiful and has managed to retain its Thai culture. The centre was very friendly, Avril and the girls were very helpful and I got to do more hands on work than I expected. Support great and became firm friends during my trip. Best accommodation on the island! Absolutely recommend PoD. It’s an amazing experience you will remember forever. And PoD makes you feel looked after and reassured if you need anything." Shelley - Jun 05 "Fantastic, lots of support and help throughout. The packs were full of helpful hints and tips. Koh Phangan is beautiful not as touristy as Koh Samui and the people are wonderful. They work really hard and that shows with the small town constantly buzzing! The bungalows were basic clean and comfortable. The resort was amazing, the food fantastic. I miss them all terribly. They do amazing work with what they have at the centre and I admire all who work there full time. It’s small but practical. They do a fantastic job. Everyone and PoD have been wonderful." Wildlife Rescue Laura - Aug 07 "I would like to say a massive thank you for all your help sorting out my placement in Thailand! I had an absolutely amazing time, a truly unforgettable experience!" Kate - Jun 07 "More than expected, it was fantastic. Brilliant, got very involved and had an amazing time, even when it was pouring down with rain. Volunteer coordinator was fantastic as well as other volunteers." Julie - Mar 07 "Advice for future volunteers, be keen to work and get dirty. I'm also grateful that i took your suggestion with an open return ticket. It allowed me to travel through Thailand, Laos and Australia. Without my time at the Centre i feel i wouldn't have been able to travel, i wouldn't have had the confidence. I had an amazing time. My experience at the centre was definitely the start of my travel bug. All the best for you and PoD" Rebekah - Aug 06 "Very rewarding, good value for money, fabulous experience. Thanks for a great time PoD!" Jane - Oct 05 "Absolutely loved it. Loved working with the animals. I will recommend PoD because I had a brilliant time and will never forget it." Lena - Jun 05 "The centre location was excellent. Being surrounded by forest gave the feeling of peace & tranquillity. The views were spectacular. The town was only a short walk away. The town people were very welcoming as they knew that you were from the centre. The centre was larger than I first thought. Everybody including Thai workers & volunteers were very friendly and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed the work and the 6.00am start didn’t bother me. I found the work challenging but extremely rewarding. My experience & knowledge was widened as I encountered new species. The climate did make the work harder but in between jobs was time to have a drink and a rest. As this was a part of my university course I feel that I could share a lot of skills and new knowledge amongst my student friends. The centre has been an amazing experience which has extremely boosted my confidence and independence. If you have a keen interest in helping wild animals then this is the place to go. Everybody at PoD was extremely friendly and wanting to help. Even if you aren’t working in the animal care industry this placement offers so many personal developments." Robert - Jun 05 "The info packs were very helpful and accurate. We probably wouldn’t of made it there in one piece without it. Very friendly location. Very cheap. The little town and village were lovely. Accommodation was basic but was as I expected. We had a bed and a fan and I was happy with that. The centre was far better than I expected and the work may have been tough but it was rewarding. Most of the other volunteers were nice so it made the days more enjoyable. Jobs varied and you didn’t have to do anything you didn’t want to. The staff were very friendly. I would recommend PoD and I have already as I had the time of my life. If I didn’t have to leave I wouldn’t of." Olly - Sep 06 "I had so many fantastic experiences, and the centre itself was in an idyllic area, on the grounds of a Buddhist temple. One highlight was spotting wild elephants in a nearby national park, after dark. It was such a thrill to see them without any keepers around. If you are booking this holiday, I think you will find it very easy to get on at the centre. It isn't hard to fit in, perhaps my only tip would be to bring long trousers because the bugs at night are truly a nuisance! The holiday as it is run is a definite benefit to local people; we would by our groceries form the local village, use the internet cafe there and so on. As for the environment, the aim was to help rehabilitate animals native to Thailand for release, so I hope that my time there not only didn't harm the environment, but in fact helped it in some small way." Tomasz - Jan 05 "I would recommend this placement to anyone who has a love for and interest in animals and who does not mind hard work and getting involved in more than just the basic jobs. I loved it" Elephant Care Rhoda - Apr 08 "This was my first volunteering "holiday", but I am converted! I had an absolutely amazing time on my 2 week volunteer placement at the elephant conservation centre and would highly recommend it. Working so closely with the elephants was really rewarding and the mahouts were very welcoming and friendly, as were the other volunteers - they were a very sociable crowd and there were lots of nights out in the nearby town Hua Hin, which served to be a great way to get to know each other!
The work is at times quite physically challenging, although mainly just because its so hot, and its worth noting that the working day can be a little longer than stated, particularly if you have been rota'd for any house duties - although you do get long breaks throughout the day. My partner and I actually found that some of the breaks were at times a little too long, so we volunteered to help with other things around our elephant duties. There are always extra duties that the centre needs volunteers to help with, such as building new enclosures, moving compost, animal enrichments, although obviously its your decision if you'd like to help with these. My partner and I volunteered to help build a new leopard cat enclosure, which we both really enjoyed. The accommodation was basic but comfortable, and it's located on site, so its very convenient - particularly after one of the many nights out in Hua Hin!
I had a truly amazing time and this really was a holiday of a lifetime.. although having said that, I'm already planning to go back!" Alison - Jun 08 "I've never had so much fun. I didn't want to leave. Working so closely to such amazing creatures makes you appreciate so much more. The mahouts are characters of their own and I formed a close bond with them that will never leave me. I made so many new friends of which we will all stay in touch. It really is the best time of your life, an experience like no other. I want to go back again and again. I'm already thinking about taking a week in October, I know it's not long but it will be worth it." Joanna - Feb 08 "My only regret was not staying longer! Even though I was only there for a week, I had so many experiences. The elephants are the most amazing and gentle creatures, and it was an honour to be so close to them and help them as well as some of the other wildlife. Everyone was so friendly and from all walks of life and every part of the world. On our day off we hopped into
the back of a pick up truck, drove to the forest and watched the sunset, hiked to a waterall and saw wild gibbons...fabulous.
Really basic accomodation but that was a great experience! and the location in the middle of nowehere was amazing, with the lake and forest, and typically thai village and monastry down the hill..great to submerge yourself into that.
I expected the elephants to have a bit more freedom, but the conditions were so much better than where they came from. However, the placement exceeded my expectations..i loved it!
If you really want to make a difference, I would recommend the widlife centre more so than the elephant project, as there is more to do and you help so many animals. However, getting so close to the elephants was awesome and once-in-a-lifetime." Penny - Feb 07 "I had an absolutely amazing time in Thailand on the 2 week Elephant Care package. To be so close to these magnificent animals was simply breathtaking. There are so many memories that I have taken back home with me; from the great people that I met to swimming with the Elephants in the lake in front of the centre. The local people are so friendly and welcome all the volunteers into their community with open arms. This has probably been the best holiday I've had (although I need another one to recover) and have recommended it to my friends. I was never into the typical beach holiday but this has sparked a new interest in me and I will always look at volunteer holidays in the future. Thanks for a great experience that will stay with me for a long time to come." Jamie - Aug 07 "May I take this opportunity to say thankyou very much for arranging my time in Thailand on the Elephant Program. I had an amazing time and met some wonderful poeple, who will remain friends for life. The experience will always remain with me and I look forward to going back again." Nina - Dec 06 "I had an amazing time! Thank you so much! The centre is amazing, and is situated on such a beautiful location. The elephants were so much fun to work with, its so good to see animals that have had such a bad time finally be happy. The mahouts were lovely and everyone was really welcoming. I am definitely looking to return next year. It was better than I imagined and I cant stop talking about it. Thank you for all your help before the trip, everything you advised me was spot on!" Rebecca - Sep 06 "A fantastic experience – it was only a week long, but I felt so at home and really got a feeling for how the elephants behave in a nearly natural environment.
Very efficient as my application was very late. Very quick to make contact after news of the military coup, and made assurances as to safety of still going. I have done and will continue to recommend PoD to others. It was so easy to organise and was very good value for money. You take so much more away with you than an average holiday and hopefully you’re making a difference – however small." Lucy - Mar 07
"Working with the elephants was really interesting and good fun especially as both of us are training to be vets. We both agreed that we could of spent all day in the lake with them!" Leona - Oct 06 "I can honestly say that it was an absolute honour to be so close to such gentle majestic creatures and the mahouts were great fun too once we got them out of their shells. I'm not sure if I will get back to this part of Thailand again but those elephants were such a gift. And over the course of 2 weeks I was able to see their individual personalities. One thing they all have in common is a dislike of dogs. Which is unfortunate as there is a pack known as 'the elephant dogs' and they love to run with us in the jungle. Each elephant has a slightly different response when the dogs get too close but the most exciting/hair-raising event occurred when our pack ran into another pack and a big fight broke out. The snarling was less than 100ft ahead of us on the same road. All 3 elephants came to an emergency stop and the youngest (and most lively) started banging her trunk hard onto the road, really slapping it down, and then she started to trumpet loudly. And all the time we were yelling at our elephants to stop (just in case they were getting ready to charge off anywhere! and they were definitely thinking about it...). So now I have some very useful Thai language skills. I can tell a person/elephant to go forward or backwards, to come to me, and to lie down (in the lake!)." Janice - Mar 07 "Most rewarding working with the elephants and also having opportunity to see the other animals in the sister placement the wildlife sanctuary. It was good to interact with the other volunteers from so many different countries." Hannah - Sep 06 "I wanted to just e-mail to thank you for sorting out our holiday we had an absolutely amazing time. The elephants were great!" Maryse - Aug 06 "It is a unique experience and one way of helping animals and the centre to stay open." - Maryse |
Testimonials 
