Who can become a VIA volunteer?

VIA volunteers range in age from 18 to 80 and come from many different walks of life. Interest in Asia, cultural immersion and a simple lifestyle bring a diverse group of volunteers together. VIA does NOT require any specific educational background, prior language training, teaching or overseas experience, although any of these is a plus. However, to become a VIA volunteer, you must meet the following requirements:

• Volunteers must speak English with native fluency.
• One and two year volunteers must have a B.A. or B.S. degree at time of departure. (Exceptions can occasionally be made. Contact the office with questions.)
• Volunteers must participate in all aspects of training.

What does a VIA volunteer do?

VIA volunteers serve in education or public service, either as an English teacher or English resource volunteer.

As an English teacher, a volunteer is posted at a local university, college or middle school. He or she is responsible for creating lesson plans and teaching courses as varied as speaking, writing, literature, business English or film. No previous teaching experience is required. Long-term volunteers complete a two-week TESOL course provided by VIA before starting their international assignment.

As an English resource volunteer, a volunteer is posted at a local non-profit. He or she are editing journal articles, helping with grant reports, and/or supporting field work. Most English resource volunteers also tutor their co-workers in spoken and written English. The majority of English resource positions are available in Indonesia; and a limited number are available in Vietnam and China.