Working with Andaman Discoverieshas been an amazing experience. The amount of pre-departure correspondence from their staff enabled the students' nerves to settle a bit ... although they had no idea what life changing adventures would be coming their way! Additionally, the opportunity to take part in various development projects with the appropriate measures taken into consideration, for example issues with sustainability as well as community participation, will leave a lasting impression with these students. Without hesitation we can say that the experience of working with Andaman Discoverieshas far exceeded any possible expectation we had set. Thank you for all your amazing work in the region while further allowing us this opportunity of insight and inspiration.

Matthew Allen, Project Coordinator

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

Andaman Discoveries works along side communities rather than imposing inappropriate projects on them. The experience I have gained here in Thailand differs on so many levels to the experience I gained in Ecuador stemming from the genuine friendliness of the Thai homestays to a harsh realization that my experience in South America was badly organized and tainted with corruption. I feel that Andaman Discoverieshas supported this volunteer work and the homestays in every aspect and I have felt in safe and capable hands. I have every trust in this organization that they have and will continue to provide invaluable and beneficial experiences while caring every step of the way for the communities that they are working within. Although I learnt a lot and gained so much from my time in Ecuador I cannot compare the experience with the same heartfelt praise that I feel for Andaman Discoveries.

I have overcome many challenges and obstacles. I have learnt a lot about myself and how I deal with different situations and circumstances, working in a team and also learning more about what I can achieve on the future. At no point did we feel like interfering Westerners but people who had come to learn about the Thai culture as well as to share ours.

Jenny

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

Homestay host families were amazingly welcoming and extremely hospitable; always ready to great us with the famous Thai smile. We were aware that they were quite nervous about our visits though this never impaired our experiences during the homestay period as both hosts and visitors submerged themselves in the experience.

The local communities were openly welcoming and appeared to be pleased to involve us in their community. I believe this positive reception was a direct result of the work ethic of Andaman Discoveries to empower the local people to develop sustainable projects that fit with their current lifestyle and local customs and culture.

Recent feedback from the communities themselves have also been extremely encouraging, as they report enjoying the time we have spent with them and similarly identify the experience as positive and beneficial. It therefore seems that the activities being developed have a sound base for the future.

Helena

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

You can never really experience the Thai culture until you live within it. Watching the sunset on the beach, driving a long-tail boat, visiting an orchid, fruit, and goat farm as well as swimming in the sea, going crab fishing, climbing up Eagle Mountain and coming home to Thai style cooking and sleeping in a hammock are just some of the exciting things you could do off the coast of Kuraburi.

Volunteering experience so much culture and learn so much. Whilst teaching English, you pick up some Thai which is great fun. There's always something to do, but also enough rest time to recharge your energy for the next exciting day!

Nadiya

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

The long tail boat ride was a brilliant way to spend the day. It was great to enjoy something that is used so frequently by the Thai people for both work and travel. The route around the island provided constant spectacular 360 degree views that could be enjoyed the entire time. The Old Pak Trium was a really beneficial stop bringing the effects of the Tsunami home again. The conflicting beauty of the island with the evident effect of the Tsunami caused a slightly eerie feeling. However the highlight here was cooking the crabs that we had one hour previously collected from the sea and then enjoying them for our lunch.

The homestay in Tung Nang Dam is one of the best experiences I have ever had. I cherished every moment and every interaction. The island is beautiful and provides the perfect opportunity to see the "Real Thailand." In addition to this though, the islands real attraction is the people. I was overwhelmed by their hospitality and welcoming nature. Before going I was slightly worried about dealing with the homestay but as soon as I entered the first house this worry was eased.

Sarah

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

As more and more people got involved with helping us clear out a drain one day there was a sense that everyone was really working together. Ban Talae Nok is a village incredibly affected by the Tsunami, yet the facilities that have been rebuilt and the optimistic, resilient and warm nature of the villagers makes the location perfect for those who wish to experience the real Thailand.

Ros Flowers

Birmingham University Intervol Volunteer Group, Multi-Village

The experience we as a group have gained, as well as the rewarding feeling for being able to give something back has been overwhelming.

Staying with a host family gave us an insight into Thai culture. It was important to be open-minded and get first hand experience of the real Thailand; the chance to sit down with the family for example, and the chance to interact with them. The families made an effort because they were just as eager to learn our language, as we were to learn Thai.

I feel I have definitely become a more confident person. I have gained a wider cultural understanding of Thai lifestyles, beliefs and traditions. The generosity was really heartwarming and I'll never forget how kind the villagers were to us.

Throughout the trip, I have definitely admired the support of the group; the trip for me personally at times has been a real challenge as I had never been so far away from home for such a long period of time. A month for me seemed like ages yet it has so gone so fast, and with it I have gained so much. I can look back and actually feel proud of my achievements, I know as a group we have become more open minded to new cultures and ways of life.

There's been such a variety of projects to get involved in that each person individually has been able to assess their strengths and weaknesses within each task - this is something that we know we can take back with us as a learning experience. I know that I would never have achieved what I have without the support of Andaman Discoveries, and the help of the group every step of the way.

Andaman Discoveries and Andaman Discoveries are also inspirations; the amount of work they have done for the community, the initiative they take to make sure that each project benefits everyone, not only those who have been involved has been a great experience to be part of.

They are a role model for students, who would like to work with or maybe even start up a similar organization. Their structure, vision, and beliefs have impacted us greatly, and we shall all hopefully mirror these in our future work.

Ko

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

I decided to volunteer because it seemed like a great way to see part of Thailand that I might not have seen. I wanted to get off the standard tourist circuit and do something adventurous; so volunteering seemed like a nice balance between being supported and experiencing rugged Thailand. The homestay allowed me to understand how real Thai people live.

Thai families are lovely and the ones we visited did everything they could to make our stays enjoyable. I was amazed by how much can be communicated through mime. I felt I really bonded with my home-stay families despite the language barrier.

Doug

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

I travelled to Tung Nang Dam as part of a University volunteering society. I tried to have as few expectations as possible regarding the homestay and how it may be however, I was naturally a little apprehensive as well as excited about trying a new culture in such a submersed manner. I needn't have worried. The time on Tung Nang Dam was fantastic from start to finish. Living with the islanders and our guides was a very laid back experience for us as visitors and we were looked after so very, very well. Their consistent and constant hospitality as well as generosity meant we did not wish for anything the whole time we were there; food, water, smiles and laughter were plentiful throughout.

Living with the Thai families was a wonderful experience of the true Thai lifestyle. Due to the nature of the Community Based Tourism established by Andaman Discoveries on Tung Nang Dam, you are able to truly appreciate the way the islanders live without corruption from western influences. I experienced a river shower, catching and cooking crab, watching a beautiful sunset and the feeling some way part of a family so different from my own.

It is honestly difficult to put into words exactly how much I enjoyed this experience and not possible to list every activity that we crammed into the four days we were on the island. I can safely say that was not a single moment I wished to be anywhere else and was sad to leave when my stay was finished. I utterly recommend taking this trip for a true and uncorrupted experience of the Thai lifestyle.

Helen

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

Our most enjoyable experiences however were participating in cashew nut shelling and making fishing nets; simply having a better understanding of how the family earned a living. It was lovely when the hosts talked about us to the locals, as if they were proud of their new family. The hosts were continuously trying to make conversation and explain things around the village. For example, gaining a better understanding of the devastating effects of the tsunami to the home in which we stayed and the surrounding area.

Abi

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

Initially I was anxious that the homestay would be awkward or difficult but I couldn't have been further from the truth. The hosts instantly made us feel so welcome in their home and made it clear that for the four nights their home would also be our home. Throughout the stay they couldn't do enough for us, always going out of their way to make our stay enjoyable and comfortable. It was amazing that although we couldn't really communicate in each others languages we still managed to communicate in other ways, mime and facial expressions can go a long way! The amount of jokes and laughs you can share is amazing. The food will be a highlight of any homestay, and you certainly won't go hungry! Every meal is like eating out at the best Thai restaurant back home, and the hosts are more than willing to accommodate vegetarians or guests who aren't haven't quite got Thai tolerance to chilies! By the end of the stay I was surprised how sad I was to leave behind this amazing community and say goodbye to the family that made us feel so welcome. The homestay was a fantastic experience and definitely one that I will remember and treasure for all my life.

Leena

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham

First off, let me praise the villagers intensely — they were extremely helpful and eager to please, and couldn't do enough for us. They made every effort to improve their English and communicate, and were constantly looking to show us new things, whether cashews being burnt open or sea creatures on the sand. The host families too were very welcoming, with food and drinks constantly being offered - I think that my family were worried about me not eating enough, even though I was constantly stuffed!

Andy

International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham