Proposed Itinerary: One Week Language and Culture

Day 1: Orientation program begins with an extensive introduction and discussion covering religion, culture, history, customs, geography, necessary health precautions, and various other topics addressing the amazing diversity of Thailand . Following orientation will be a general question/answer session about IFRE's Thailand volunteer program. Volunteers will then experience their first taste of the Thai language (e.g. greetings) through playful, innovative lessons.

Day 2: Thai language and culture class continues (9:00-11:00am) followed by a trip to Ayutthaya .

DETAILS: Ayutthaya is located approximately 85km north of Bangkok and was the capital of the enduring, prosperous Siam (present-day Thailand ) from 1350 till 1767, until Burmese invaders conquered the city. During this prosperous period, enduring over 400 years, 33 kings of Siam reigned from the throne situated in the city Ayutthaya which (at one point) one of these most populated cities in the world - even being compared to Paris in wealth and size during King Louis the XIV's reign.  Among the still-mystical and intricate ruined palaces, volunteers will also visit Wat Phra Ram, What Phananchoengand - notable and beautiful palaces still remaining from the city of Ayutthaya .

Topping off the historically and culturally-enriching day, volunteers will enjoy lunch aboard the delightful "Boat Restaurant" before returning to their respective host family/apartment/hostel in the evening.

Day 3: Thai language & culture class continues (9:00-11:00am) followed by an enlightening trip to Bangkok filled with cultural interactions and opportunities. In the evening, volunteers return to their respective host family/apartment/hostel.

Days 4-6: Departure to historical villages such as Nakhon Nayok, Samut Songkhram where volunteers can participate in home-stays and further cultural immersion. IFRE arranges home-stays in small local communities or towns within 1-2 hour drives from Bangkok . Nakhon Nayok, one of the popular home-stay villages, is located relatively close to a national park well-known for its beautiful landscapes, tranquil forests and awe-inspiring waterfalls. Similarly, each prospective home-stay village is famously-known for boasting a variety of fruit orchards, rice paddies, fish farms and chicken farms.

During these village-stays, volunteers will have a multitude of opportunities for hiking, biking, all-the-while experiencing the enriching village life of the Thai people. Volunteers can visit local villages while exploring local lifestyles, simultaneously practicing their newly-acquired language skills with the local people. At the local food markets, volunteers are encouraged to inquire about the price of goods in Thai. There will also be numerous opportunities to further explore the villages as well as lush, green forests, and magnificent, prismatic landscapes -all wondrous aspects of the rural life in Thailand .

Day 7: Volunteers return to IFRE offices in order to transfer to their respective placements with either a host family/apartment/hostel where they will soon begin to prepare for their assigned volunteer project.

NOTE: This itinerary is merely a sample and is subject to change to accommodate changes in field conditions and/or IFRE's office.