It is closing to the end of our volunteering and today I wanted to write about a different experience I had helping at the school. Today I helped set up the wiring for the computers in the computer room. After the teachers and manager of the school were nice enough to include us in a consultation and made us aware that new computers were being donated to the school, we were asked what the best way was to set them up with our ideas and experience.

Today I helped the teachers measure the room and rip out all the old wiring and plastic runners and replace them little bit by bit. It was a very different process to what I was used to back home as everything was so basic and they used double sided tape for the most part. They were so appreciative that I was willing to get my hands dirty and even get up on the ceiling to brave the spiders and break a sweat. I actually really enjoyed it and felt so good contributing to this little project.

Whereas I may have complained if I had to do it at home I was so glad to support this school and the kids and staff as they are truly amazing individuals. Doing this really gave me an insight into the culture and camaraderie that we all stick together as one big family and even though I was of different skin colour, language and place of birth, I was seen as a brother to them.

Even though this was not really teaching as I have grown used to over the past week and a half I actually found this day probably as much if not more rewarding then the others. It was so great to do something hands on and physically give the community support in building something that is safe and great for the learning of these students. A great quote that the local teacher said to me was “hear something and you forget, see something and you remember but do something and you will understand”.

I definitely could relate to this as by doing this act of contribution I could really understand a lot of things from their perspective, the passion behind giving the youth a proper chance for the future and the grassroots appreciation of what I am blessed with in my life.

It was an extremely rewarding and beneficial experience and I was very stoked to have been asked to help.

Jules

The post A Different Kind of Teaching Day appeared first on EDventure.

One of the standout parts of the EDventure program are the classes that we the volunteers have to take. It’s our time to sit in the classroom and learn for ourselves.  The Global Leadership classes have given me a great insight into the crucial qualities that one needs to possess in order to be a competent leader in today’s every increasing global community. When we sat down and started to not only learn the qualities of global leaders but also to learn which qualities we ourselves already possessed, we really started the peel the layers back and learn more about ourselves and each other. The classes take a very objective approach to each individual’s weaknesses and strengths and pushes them to think critically and open-mindedly about themselves. We were able to learn more about ourselves in a safe and constructive arena, while growing and bonding with the other volunteers in a way that not only felt safe but trusting.

Everyone enters a new situation with some walls and reservations. Our Global Leadership classes did a great job of allowing each individual to pull their wall down at their speed, while at the same time pushing each person to construct a stronger foundation of themselves. After three intense leadership classes I have left with a greater sense of myself, my beliefs and what I can offer the individual as well as the world and the global community we have become.

Tanner

The post Peeling the Layers Back appeared first on EDventure.

The value of education was put into perspective for me while I was on this trip. We ventured through the city and neighboring cities and experienced the living conditions of these children, yet they showed up everyday wanting to learn more. As I stood in front of the classroom everyday, I could not help but to embrace the warm smiles and twinkle in their eyes. After a long hard day at school, most of them wandered the streets of Siem Reap desperate for tourists to buy their products in hope that the money they earned would be enough to take home to their families. Without an education, selling products on the street is the common job these kids would have to take in the future, even though the amount of potential for these children is unreal.

Learning about all of the history and tragic events that took place in Cambodia allowed me to better understand the background of these people. Seeing how happy these people are after going through such horrific events and doing everything possible to overcome the past gave the word strength a whole new meaning for me. Cambodia will always have a special place in my heart.

Sidney

The post Warm Smiles and Twinkles in Their Eyes appeared first on EDventure.

Today was spent like no other teaching the Cambodian kids of all levels English at school. The local teachers are so friendly and extremely appreciative of any support what so ever. In fact, I have never felt so important, needed and appreciated in all my life even though I do not consider myself a good teacher at all. My highlight today was playing soccer with the kids.

The giggles and excitement of the girls teaching me a game that was a little bit like marbles was lots of fun and they enjoyed my presence and even embellished the competition. One girl was nice enough to lend me some of her pieces so I could play. After a few games and lots of fun I moved onto barefoot soccer. What an amazing experience!

Barefoot and all I played my heart out but was shown up by these amazing little players a third of my age!

I have not seen such skill and dexterity from these players by even grown up adults. This game was definitely in their blood and I enjoyed getting involved with these kids so much it didn’t even matter that there was so many language barriers between us. The game needed no words and we used our hands and actions to communicate game plays between teams but I was overwhelmed and felt I was dragging them down if anything. They laughed and looked like they really enjoyed me appreciating their game and the way of life for these kids. After an exhausting yet satisfying day, we hopped on the tuk tuk to catch a beautiful sunset which really captured the moment and ended a remarkable day.

Jules

The post School Yard Games appeared first on EDventure.

This inspirational day was only beginning, to find myself later that day learning the Khmer language by a knowledgeable teacher who happened to show up late because she had so much on her plate to please her other students. Learning the simple “hellos” and “goodbyes” overwhelmed the group because of the strong desire to connect with the children in the upcoming days. Laughs were shared among the local people as we tried out our newly learned Khmer phrases.

After our language lesson, we were approached by a monk coming off the back of a motor bike for the “monk chat.” We were lead into a small room on stilts where we sat on small pads with our legs crossed sure to keep our feet covered for respect. The topic of Buddhism was broken down for us, so we could better understand the background of his past. Throughout the entire lesson, the common word that was used was “together.” A sense of peace overcame him every time this word was mentioned, and to me this word now has a new meaning. This “monk chat” took my obsession for monks to a whole new level.

Five individuals from all different backgrounds, all here in Cambodia to make a difference, together.

Sidney

The post Making a Difference Together appeared first on EDventure.

Adventure- an idea I was only able to dream for in the past- has finally become reality. I’m constantly found in new situations whether it’s around language, food, culture, or most importantly people. I’ve become friends with such an amazing collection of individuals in this short amount of time. And as busy as we might get with volunteer work, hiking, teaching, or a weekly trip to that famous Sunday market, I constantly remind myself of how amazing it is that I get to share with them in this experience.

Furthermore, the growth I have developed over the course of this project is unmeasurable. The best decision I’ve ever made was to do this. And I can’t worthily exclaim how overly satisfied I am with the results I’ve seen from the members of this group. By results I mean personal growth, acceptance, respect, and one hell of a work ethic (just to name a few).

I’ve been told before that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination. And I wholeheartedly back that up because we constantly travel- whether in planes, (party) trains, on bikes, or some type of automobile. And the entire time I have been nothing but happy.

This continues to be a truly life-changing experience. One that will be hard to leave, though a promising thought is that I know I’ll be back. Thanks to the confidence I’ve gained through this short EDventure I now know I’ll have the means to explore in the future. To soak up all these new ideas and cultures, that are just waiting to be shared.

Most importantly, with a closing thought, I need to give a big thanks to those four cool kids who helped us come out of this thing on top.

Thank you so much for making this possible. It has provided me with a global perspective and a newfound drive to make in impact. Somewhere. Somehow.

Russell (the muscle)

The post Happiness is a way of travel, not a destination appeared first on EDventure.

I came into this trip hesitant that I wouldn’t be able to push myself to try new things or break out of my quiet little shell. Looking back on the last three weeks of travel, volunteering, and fun I am glad to say that I have been happily proven wrong.

Spending time with elephants was surreal. Hiking in the rainforest was exhilarating. But I have to say that the shining moment for me on this trip was visiting the schools. The joy that was brought into my day when I saw the smiling kids waving hello to me on the first day brought me such a good feeling. I wasn’t sure how the day would go, just with such a language barrier. I got to work with the Grade 1 class and it ended up being a super fun yet sometimes tiring day. The kids were so eager for us to come into their classroom and teach them some English. I think it is such an amazing feeling to be able to teach a child something. They are so thrilled that we are devoting all our attention to them, and in turn they do the same to us.

After the lesson was finished I really loved the chance to interact with the kids and see them have so much fun. It was great to be able to just let loose with the kids and let their energy pump me up to be even more outgoing. These kids are just the same as any other kids; they want to have fun. I am glad that we were able to take an afternoon off from teaching and just provide the kids with some fun games and dancing.

Once we were settling down to end the day, I went over to a group of my students and saw they were reading a book. I sat down beside them and started to point out all the pictures and their English meanings. I would say one of my favourite parts of the day was having one of my little Thai students sit in my lap and give his full attention to my reading him a book. It was truly amazing and honestly I never wanted to finish reading that book. The school gave me so much joy that it didn’t matter how tired I was at the end of the day. I knew that the kids were enjoying themselves and I was having the time of my life as well.

Getting to do so many new things with EDventure has been such a positive experience for me. I never thought that I would be given the opportunity to work right alongside elephants or walk into a school where I didn’t speak more than five words of their language and teach a lesson. I had always dreamed that I would travel the world and see all the different people, lifestyles, and cultures there are out there. EDventure has made me realize that this is still something that I want to be a huge part of my life.

The people I have met on this trip have made such an impact on my life. The first day that we all sat together in the back of the guesthouse shows me how far we have come as a group. Coming into this I didn’t know a single person. I was ready to meet new people from across the world while building new friendships that I hoped would last. I can definitely say that everyone here has made this such a worthwhile experience for me. Going from not knowing one another three weeks ago to laughing at ourselves, at each other, and at the memories we have made has been one of the best things I will take from this trip.

Through this trip my confidence in myself has grown. This group of people have shown me that you don’t have to be afraid to put yourself out there because we all make mistakes but can make greater successes when we support one another. I have loved the times we have spent together and am sad that it is so quickly coming to an end. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone on this trip for such a life changing and rewarding experience. It has been so much fun and I can’t wait until we can all meet back up again in the future.

Alex Blaine

The post Confidence boosts, new friends & incredible experiences appeared first on EDventure.

Cambodia…… This was about the only thing I knew about this country before visiting; it’s name.

Since I knew so little about a country that I was going to be spending a month in, I decided I should do a little research. What I found was years of hardships and sadness that I couldn’t even fathom. What was I getting myself into?! Will I be able to connect with the students? Will I be able to give them the proper education that they seek so badly?

The moment I stepped foot into the classroom all my worries were left at the doorstep with my flip-flops. Of course I was still terrified, who wouldn’t be. I was about to try to teach for my first time with 30 sets of eyes focused on me!! But what I no longer felt was the sense that I wasn’t able to help. It came rushing to me all at once, the reason I flew half way around the world, to teach these students that were so desperate to learn. We were their key to a better life, but more importantly, a better future.

.                           .

When it came to struggles, teaching was the easy part compared to what I was dealing with in my head and in my heart. During my time spent in Cambodia with the students and the community, my biggest hardship was understanding how these amazingly beautiful people had experienced such a heartbreaking past. Each day these students came in with giant smiles on their faces, ready and willing to learn.

One of the students was a 14-year-old girl that lost her father 2 years earlier, after he had been very ill for over 10 years. She now spends her days doing chores and helping raise her siblings while her mother works. She then puts all that aside and comes to school in the afternoon. We had no idea what their lives were like at home or what they were going through. All we knew was that they were some of the most beautiful and strong people we had ever met. This little girl proved to be just that!

That is one of the most important things that I took home with me from this trip. No matter how bad you are feeling or how tired you are, each day you must get up, smile and be grateful, not for the things you have but for the love you carry in your heart. That is what I believe kept this community going, acceptance and love.

Each day with these students was a new learning experience. Not only for them but also for me. I think that was one of the most humbling things about teaching these kids. They thought that I was teaching them, but in reality they were teaching me….

Anna Cooper 

The post The love you carry in your heart appeared first on EDventure.

A time of reflection has begun…

It’s week three, and we have finished our volunteer projects with the elephants and the community. Looking back over the last two weeks that I have been here in Thailand, I can’t help but smile at all the wonderful, once in a lifetime memories I have made.

EDventure has been just that- an educational opportunity that has allowed me to explore both the world and myself. I have learned more about myself as an individual than I ever thought possible, as well as been able to evaluate my role within both my local and global community.

I have found a motivation to make a difference in the world I live in, as well as a passion for travel and knowledge of other cultures that I did not have before. I cannot wait to continue this amazing learning experience, surrounded by some of the most amazing people I have ever met. This was definitely a life changing adventure for me, and I will take the memories and lessons with me even after I leave this beautiful country.

Carey

The post Looking Back… appeared first on EDventure.

Thailand’s 2012 EDventure group officially completed our volunteering projects today. The last week was spent working with a sustainability host organisation, and this week was by far my favourite.

We had a great start to the week at a farm, where we experienced our welcoming ceremony from elders of the local community. For the first part of the week I was out in the farm working to set up an irrigation system for the up coming crops. It turned out to be a lot more complex than I had originally anticipated. On the third day the progress that was made was totally apparent, by that point many of the pipes were glued and covered with dirt; hoses ran down the length of the crop beds; and UV-proof tarps covered the rows to prevent weeds from growing. Sustainability was really the name of the game there, once the crops are ready to be planted they intend to get various animals and use their manure as fertilizer so that they won’t have to worry about purchasing it.

The second half of the week was spent in the mountains. I finally got to work in a classroom with some lovely 3rd and 4th grade Thai students who stole my heart. I partnered up with a fellow EDventurer and taught them some English, it was so rewarding because they actually retained the information and they were so eager to impress us with their new knowledge. I didn’t want to leave today because I already felt as though I had formed bonds with them that I wasn’t happy to break.

This experience is slowly coming to a close; I’m glad I came and did this. When I first signed up for this EDventure I was going through a rough time in my life and I felt as though I had lost myself somewhere in all the madness. I decided that maybe by challenging myself in a different setting and changing pace for a while that I could find myself again. Truth be told, if I’ve learned one thing on this trip it’s that I really appreciate my life back home. It turns out I didn’t need to come halfway across the globe to find myself. I had already found myself back home. It just took me this trip to realize that. This experience has helped me in so many ways; I feel more confident and more willing to step outside of my comfort zone.

But best part of all: I conquered my fear of insects. Sha-bam!

Caitlin

The post 3rd & 4th Grade Students who stole my heart… appeared first on EDventure.