Six Months That Changed a Life – Jonas' Internship with Volunt2Thai in Rural Thailand

 

From school frustration to a new perspective: How a 17-year-old discovered not only a different culture but also himself during six unforgettable months in Northeast Thailand.

When Jonas boarded a plane to Thailand at the end of September 2023, he knew very little about the country. His expectations were based on familiar stereotypes—elephants, Muay Thai, Buddhist monks, tropical heat, and unusual food.

He had no idea that the next six months would completely change his outlook on life.

The opportunity to spend several months with Volunt2Thai, a community project in the rural province of Udon Thani, offered something he desperately needed: a break from everyday life.

School in Germany had become frustrating, and the chance to experience something completely different felt like the right decision.

Arriving in a Different World

After a long international flight, Jonas arrived in Thailand on the evening of September 29. He was welcomed at the airport by Raimund and Nicki, who would soon become much more than project coordinators.

Even the drive from the airport felt like entering another world. Cars drove on the left side of the road, the humid tropical air was unlike anything he had experienced before, and despite the late hour, the heat was overwhelming.

"Everything was different," Jonas later wrote. "Especially the air and the heat."

The first days were filled with unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, and experiences. New food, tropical wildlife, a language he couldn't understand, and customs unlike anything back home.

But there wasn't much time to stand still.

Learning by Doing

Life at Volunt2Thai isn't about following a fixed schedule.

Everyone contributes where help is needed.

Jonas quickly found himself carrying rice sacks, watering the Food Forest, baking fresh bread, repairing buildings, cleaning the campus, and helping with countless daily tasks. Every day brought something new.

The campus cats became his constant companions, while geckos, snakes, insects, and endless mosquitoes were simply part of everyday life.

Then there was the motorbike.

In Germany, riding one without a license would have been impossible. In rural Thailand, it seemed everyone was riding something. Every trip became a small adventure.

Discovering Rural Schools

Soon, Jonas accompanied the volunteers to local village schools.

Hundreds of children wearing school uniforms, lessons taught in Thai, and an atmosphere filled with respect for teachers left a lasting impression.

Although he quickly realized that becoming a teacher wasn't his dream, he enjoyed every visit.

He played games with the children, occasionally helped during English lessons, took photographs, recorded videos, and gradually became part of the school community.

With every visit, he gained a deeper understanding of rural life in Thailand.

Friendship Beyond Language

One of the most meaningful parts of Jonas' journey was meeting Nicki.

What began as a simple friendship soon felt more like having an older brother.

They cooked together, worked together, exercised together, and spent countless hours talking and laughing.

Nicki introduced Jonas to Sepak Takraw, Thailand's spectacular national sport that combines football and volleyball with incredible acrobatic skills. The bruises came quickly—but so did the fun.

Later, Jonas also began training Muay Thai. At first he simply watched, but over time he gained confidence, strength, and endurance.

Becoming Part of a Family

What surprised Jonas most wasn't Thailand's landscape or climate.

It was the people.

The campus was more than a volunteer project—it was a family.

Raimund's children were always around, grandparents regularly visited, neighbors stopped by, and everyone shared meals together.

"I really became part of family life," Jonas wrote.

It was a feeling that stayed with him throughout his entire stay.

Meeting the World

Volunt2Thai also brought together volunteers from all over Europe.

Jonas met people from France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

He originally hoped to improve his English.

Instead, he laughed that he probably learned more Thai than English.

More Than Volunteering

For Jonas, Thailand wasn't about beaches or luxury resorts.

It was about village life.

Working in rice fields.

Building bamboo structures.

Painting houses.

Playing football with children.

Swimming together.

Helping wherever help was needed.

Or simply sitting around the barbecue at sunset.

Painting campus buildings became one of his favorite activities because the results were visible immediately.

Gardening, however, wasn't quite as exciting.

After spending an entire day counting truckloads of soil delivered to the campus, he concluded:

"I definitely won't become a gardener."

A Tropical Christmas

Christmas in Thailand was unlike anything Jonas had ever experienced.

Instead of snow, there was sunshine.

Instead of Christmas markets, there were colorful school ceremonies.

Instead of fireworks, there were family gatherings, shared meals, and traditional celebrations.

Of course, he missed his friends and family back home.

But he also discovered a different kind of Christmas—one centered around togetherness, gratitude, and community.

Meeting an Elephant

One unforgettable highlight came when a working elephant visited near the campus.

Jonas had the opportunity to touch the enormous animal for the first time.

"It felt surprisingly hairy and sandy," he remembered.

Temple visits, Buddhist ceremonies, and local festivals also gave him a deeper appreciation for Thailand's rich culture and traditions.

Growing in Every Way

As the months passed, Jonas noticed something changing.

He became stronger.

More independent.

More confident.

He learned to cook Thai food.

He helped without being asked.

He felt at home.

The uncertainty of the first weeks slowly disappeared.

Strangers became friends.

The project became a second home.

Saying Goodbye

When February 2024 arrived, it was finally time to leave.

His last night was spent alone in a hotel in Udon Thani before flying back to Germany.

The farewell was emotional.

Nicki had become like a brother.

Anita and Alexs felt like younger siblings.

And Raimund had become someone much more important than a project leader.

"He became like a father to me," Jonas wrote.

More Than an Internship

When Jonas returned to Germany, he brought home much more than photographs and souvenirs.

He returned with new confidence.

Greater independence.

A broader view of the world.

And memories that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

Thailand taught him that happiness is often found in simple moments—cooking together, playing with children, sharing work, watching a sunset, or laughing around a barbecue with people who have become family.

Looking back, his conclusion is simple:

"Thailand is completely different from Germany. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I'll definitely come back."

Not every young person discovers their future inside a classroom.

Sometimes, it begins on a small community campus in rural Northeast Thailand.

https://www.volunt2thai.com