Teaching Volunteer Stories, Sri Lanka

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Sinead Watt I was 17 when I left school. I just felt like I'd rather be somewhere else, doing something exciting and worthwhile. I planned on going to university but not before I had had an experience of some sort which I would never forget... That's when I discovered Projects Abroad.

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Victoria Plume As I stepped off the plane and Charley, a legend of a man who works for Projects Abroad drove me to the office, I wondered why I had chosen to volunteer in Sri Lanka. It has no Taj Mahal, pyramids or Grand Canyon - so why do I travel to the other side of the world, to a little island nestling in the shadow of India? Ironically, it is now - at the end of my two month stay - that I know exactly why.

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Rosanne van Herksen Since the beginning of September I, Rosanne van Herksen from The Netherlands, have been teaching drama whilst volunteering abroad in Sri Lanka. I'm teaching two different classes, both classes contain children of different ages (from 4-24 years!). In Panadura I am teaching at the government Siri Seevali school, from grade three to seven. We had a bit of a difficult start as I explored the lack of creativity, together with shy and scared children. But everything got better when we got to know each other and when we could start practicing the Ugly Duckling!

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Helen Poole Travelling to an exotic country and experiencing a completely different culture and way of life is something that I have always wanted to do, so after leaving university I thought 'well it's now or never', but I was apprehensive about travelling completely alone.

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Adam Kessler I arrived in Sri Lanka with Projects Abroad about a month ago now, full of enthusiasm. I had passed a TEFL course just before coming out, so had a month of intensive teacher training under my belt. I felt ready. I knew what concept questions were, and I was proficient in over nine tenses. I could say 'shut the hell up' in six different languages. However, perhaps predictably, school was nothing like I'd expected.

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Claire Blakemore I must start by saying that if you're contemplating going to do a project in Sri Lanka, stop thinking about it and just do it. My 3 months in Sri Lanka were some of the best moments of my life and it was truly a special and fulfilling experience.

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Fiona Whyte & Ash Morton Being the first ever volunteers at Pinwatha School, there was no real way of knowing what to expect. No reports from previous volunteers or anything. On the other side, the teachers wouldn't know what to expect of us either. It was a new experience for everyone involved. Thankfully, it has been a hugely enjoyable and fulfilling one too.

Teaching in Sri Lanka - Claire Fuller To begin with, I was naturally apprehensive about teaching but my first few classes were so much fun. The younger monks have an incredibly short attention span so I learnt quickly that games are best. I got to know their individual characters very quickly as they are not at all shy.