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Program Description
GeoVisions - English Conversation Partner Program in Vietnam
Description
Choose your own placement in Vietnam with GeoVisions and become a part of this high energy placement in either Ho Chi Minh City of Hanoi.
If you choose to be placed in Ho Chi Minh City, you will work with college-age students at the Saigon Tourist Hospitality College. Live at the school or in a nearby apartment and have meals with the students and teachers at the school. This is a one-month placement.
Your choice is Hanoi? This placement is at a school that prepares students for overseas work in English-speaking countries. The school is operated by the Labour Overseas Deployment Corporation. You will work closely with English teachers. Students will be studying English, but need lots of help with conversation skills. In Hanoi, you will live in housing right at the school, as there are overseas teaching staff that live on site. This is a one-month placement.
Choose both placements for a 2-month stay.
This is a high-energy and fun position. GeoVisions provides the materials; you provide the personality to liven up an informal conversation class! Find out first-hand how the Vietnamese people live and work day-to-day. Sometimes there are opportunities to take part in activities. Plus, the locals can show you landmarks and hidden gems.
Conversation Partner volunteers must be native English speakers. They need to have earned a high school (secondary school) diploma or certificate, and be in good health. Placements are available year 'round and range in duration from one to three months.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
Sharing your language with the host organization for up to 15 hours a week on a schedule agreed to with your host institution, normally Monday through Friday.
Using GeoVisions' text book, A Tutor's Guide: Teaching English To Families and Children, provide creative, fun and informative conversation sessions.
Be on time to tutor your group.
Manage your own personal expenses (telephone bills, clothing, entertainment and spending money).
Highlights
Personalized volunteer placement at a school in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
Your orientation by a local coordinator.
A comfortable, safe place to live in Vietnam, your own private room, all of your meals, and transportation from the airport. If you do not live on-site, or within walking distance of your tutoring site, transportation will be provided.
An experienced U.S. based GeoVisions Program Manager (and former volunteer with GeoVisions) who will serve as your coordinator and liaison with our partner’s in-country staff in Vietnam.
In-country basic language assistance and (optional) low-cost language classes.
Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation (including a half-day city tour in your arrival city), supervision and guidance throughout your stay.
Extensive medical, accident and dental insurance including emergency evacuation.
Important documents, including in-depth pre-departure packs, orientation information, and all in-country informational materials.
A letter of invitation from your host school to facilitate your application for a visa to Vietnam.
A toll-free 24-hour emergency hotline in the U.S.
Premium membership at the ESL-Lounge.
The President's Volunteer Service Award including a lapel pen, letter from the President of The United States and certificate.
Qualifications
-Native English Speaker
-18+
Ratings and Reviews
19 of 38 people found this review helpful
Conversation Partner Within The Cancer World
80%Overall
Rating
I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to participate in a GeoVisions program as part of my Around the World - Adventure of Hope.
Randy and the team at GeoVisions pulled together my placement very quickly and managed to do it during a challenging time of year in Vietnam (I was in the country over the Tet holiday where many of the schools and businesses shut down).
During my month in Vietnam, I had the chance to spend time in Ha Noi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh city and stayed in a hotel, with a host family in a house, and with a host in a small apartment.
The best part of the experience with GeoVisions was the cultural immersion. If you are nervous about traveling overseas and want someone to take care of every single detail for you, this may not be the right program for you. But, if you have traveled before and you want to experience life like the locals do, GeoVisions is an excellent choice. I felt like I got the support when I needed it (i.e. pick ups at the airport or train station/rides to meetings/and orientation to each city). But, I also had free time to explore on my own.
Given my area of interest, I wanted to meet doctors and support groups in the cancer world. In both Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city, GeoVisions introduced me to a couple of people and I was then able to network and build many more relationships and volunteer in both cities.
If you are a self starter and want to create a memorable experience, Geo Visions is a great option. Also, if you're trying to decide on a destination, I highly recommend Vietnam. Although like many developing countries, the garbage, the traffic, and the pollution take some getting used to, the warmth of the people is second to none. I feel incredibly lucky to have made some new Vietnamese friends (including my very gracious hosts) and after a month in the country would very much look forward to an opportunity to go back.
To read more about my experiences in Vietnam, feel free to read my posts on A Fresh Chapter here: http://www.afreshchapter.com/tag/vietnam