Job Discussion Forums

[JDunn]

Hello all, I am an Autism Specialist/Special Ed teacher here in the states who is applying for a grant to volunteer abroad with ASD/Special Needs students for the month of July/August 2010 (maybe not the best weather in Vietnam during this time?). I am hoping to get this grant to cover homestay/hostel costs and airfare so that I can volunteer my time in a classroom serving these students and learn how this culture works with this population. My hope is to learn something new and apply it to the structure of my own classroom. My students include many from SE Asian immigrant families so I feel it would be valuable to also learn more about the value system in this area and the educational system in general. I have traveled extensively through China, Tibet, HK, Central America, Europe but have been wanting to go to Vietnam or Cambodia. I have my MA in Special Education and 8 years of full time teaching experience so I feel I would be a valuable asset as a volunteer. If anyone has any connections on this, please message me. I would like to have the name of a school and a contact in place so I can finish the proposal by the end of October. Any help is appreciated!!

[Andy123]

I can't pm you but you might try to pm me. I work with special need children and I "may" be able to help. I think you may be disappointed. I see boat loads of volunteers who come and get suckered into thinking they are helping but in reality they are extorted. The sad part is they don't even realize it or want to.

I agree that someone with your qualifications would be a great service but keep your expectations in check.

Best regards.

[JDunn]

apparently I cannot PM yet either but are you familiar with International Volunteer HQ? I see a lot of good info on them but they do still charge for volunteer opps so not sure how legit it all is. I heard good things about their programs in Vietnam. I am wondering how bad is it to be in Hanoi or Vietnam in general in July? I know it is rainy season and monsoon season is later in Sept/Oct or so?

thanks for any advice!

[inky]

JDunn, "rainy season" in Hanoi means a cloudburst on many sultry late afternoons, nothing to worry about, the rain is often predictable. The weather in the fall (Sept-Oct) is often lovely, with the winter months being more like what you'd really call a 'rainy season,' with many cloudy, chilly drizzly days.

[Andy123]

Many of the volunteers pay these organizations. Does this really sound legit? Need I not say more. I could tell you some real first hand scary stories about how low people will go to make a buck. Cambodia is best at that.

Weather is weather. Don't worry. It is fun at first then you just learn to adapt.

Come to think of it. There is a Viet Kieu or national that runs a bar in Nha Trang that helps homeless and poor kids out of her place. She targets kids that are at risk from the sexpats. I here many good things about her. Google nha trang bar homeless children etc. I'm sure she will pop up or maybe someone on this board can help.

I'm sure she can point you in a good direction.

[jayasia]

bar's called "crazy kim"

she's a Canadian Viet Q