Volunteer, Intern and Teach English in Laos: Help Buddhist Monks and More

From the tasty cuisine in Luang Prabang to the graceful Mekong River to the rich architecture in Vientiane, Laos brings a lot to the table. The natural beauty, laid-back atmosphere, and welcoming people of Laos simply make it a wonderful destination.

Laos is a rapidly growing country that offers the chance to experience the traditional culture while helping build a brighter tomorrow. Since Laos is a country in motion, many opportunities for volunteering, interning, and teaching exist.

Here’s a guide for interning and volunteering in Laos:

Know Before You Go

Laos is a small, landlocked country that’s surrounded by much bigger neighbors, including China and Thailand. Throughout its history, Laos has continually struggled for independence, as it’s been a vassal state of the Khmer Empire and Siam. From 1893 to 1953, Laos was part of French Indochina. During World War II, Japanese occupation weakened French control, and in 1953, Laos gained full independence from France. Since then, the country has pushed through internal conflict and destruction from US bombs during the Vietnam War and is now growing in exciting and positive ways.

Intensely proud of their culture and history, Laotians live in a nation that is quite diverse for its size. There are a total of 49 distinct ethnicities in Laos. Roughly 40 to 50 percent of the country practices Theravada Buddhism, something that’s noticeable as soon as you touch down and see all the temples.

Lao (or Laotian) is the official language of Laos. While English and French are spoken, especially in tourist areas and by older generations (due to French colonial influence), knowing some Lao phrases can significantly enhance cultural immersion.

Types of Internship and Volunteer Opportunities in Laos

Interning and volunteering in Laos is an attractive option for those interested in the culture, development, and natural environment of this wonderful Southeast Asian country.

The economic growth of the country has opened up opportunities to gain work experience in a promising market. While progress has been great, Laos still faces pressing challenges when it comes to poverty, human rights, gender equality, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other key areas. Be a part of the solution by volunteering or interning here.

All this means you have a diverse array of options, from educating students in the cities to delivering medical services in the countryside to protecting wildlife and the environment.

If you hope to volunteer in Laos, popular programs include:

1. Community development: Build and renovate medical centers, schools, and childcare facilities in villages.
2. Helping monks: Teach English to monks, assist with daily life at monasteries, and more.
3. Childcare: Assist with homework and arrange after-school games and activities for students.

If you hope to intern in Laos, common options include:

1. Teaching internships: Kickstart your career in education by teaching English and other subjects, and get your TEFL certificate, too.
2. Women’s empowerment: Help create sustainable programs for empowering women to lead financially independent lives and strengthen the communities in which they live.

International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ)

When International Volunteer Headquarters opened their doors for volunteering in 2007, it had a mission to offer affordable, trustworthy programs across the world. Today, they offer more than 40 destinations and over 200 projects and have sent more than 80,000 people abroad.

If you want to volunteer in Laos with IVHQ, good programs include:

1. Teaching English: Help Laotian children from disadvantaged backgrounds improve their English and future job prospects (English is important for positions in tourism and international business for Laos).
2. Construction and Renovation: Build and improve the infrastructure of a rural village, and give people the facilities they need to thrive.

Volunteer work in Laos is based in a variety of communities in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Center in northern Laos.

Involvement Volunteers International (IVI)

IVI offers exciting opportunities to volunteer in Laos, each providing a unique chance to make a meaningful difference in the local community while gaining valuable experience in Luang Prabang, Laos. 

The English Teaching program allows volunteers to teach students aged 10 to 25 in local schools, focusing on improving conversational skills, reading, writing, and grammar. Volunteers are encouraged to create engaging lesson plans and bring fresh teaching strategies. The program runs year-round, and holiday classes are available during school breaks.

In the Construction Program, volunteers work with local builders to renovate schools, temples, and community buildings, making a tangible impact on the community. Projects range from building walls to painting classrooms and repairing roads.

Both programs provide shared dormitory-style accommodation, meals, and support from the local team, including an orientation. With over 30 years of experience, IVI ensures safe, affordable volunteer opportunities that benefit local communities while providing a rewarding cultural exchange.

Love Volunteers

Love Volunteers began in 2009 with the goal of making volunteering accessible and transparent. Love Volunteers prides itself on offering folks affordable, safe programs that are truly focused on empowering the communities they visit. They currently have projects ongoing in nearly 40 countries (and counting).

If you want to volunteer in Laos with Love Volunteers, they have a great educational support project in Luang Prabang. The main goal is to teach children English in order to break the cycle of poverty and unlock future job opportunities. You also get to interact with Buddhist monks, help areas affected by land mines, and immerse yourself in the local culture. You live in a family-run guesthouse.

Final Advice for Interning or Volunteering in Laos

There are many reputable programs for interning and volunteering in Laos. You can help out this wonderful country while gaining valuable experience. Just look for the program that matches your preferences, skills, needs, and budget. By doing your research, you’ll find a program in Laos that will be just right. And you’ll come home with memories to last a lifetime.