Volunteerships
Please note that, we no longer accept students paying fees to overseas universities to come to FORRU to perform research as part of their degrees back home, unless the overseas university reciprocates by accepting Thai students to do the same, without charging fees. Such an equitable student-exchange program can be arranged via an MoU between Chiang Mai University and the overseas institution.
FORRU-CMU accepts occasional volunteer interns, most frequently students from Thai or overseas universities, for periods of 1 month to a year (full-time or part-time). We try our best to provide a rich and varied work experience for volunteers, combining practical work in tree nurseries and in the field, with outreach and educational activities, as well as creative desk-work.
Depending on the season, experience of field and nursery skills can include:-
Volunteers usually spend an initial period, learning about the range of FORRU-CMU's activities, with the option to focus on more specialized tasks thereafter, such as helping our team with a specific research project or designing education and outreach activities/materials.
There are no set schedules for volunteerships. Volunteers are expected to create their own time tables, using an online shared calendar, in consultation with FORRU staff and according to their own interests and needs.
Our unit is entirely dependent on sponsorship from outside foundations and government organizations to cover our basic running costs. Consequently, volunteers must be entirely self-supported and are responsible for covering their accommodation, subsistence, insurance, travel etc. If in need of financial assistance, prospective volunteers should consider applying for a fellowship, such as that offered by the International Tropical Timber Organization.
If you are interested, we invite you to explore these inspiring stories from previous volunteers, read the volunteership agreement (available through the download panel) and then contact us, explaining clearly what you hope to gain from the volunteership experience.
If you feel like volunteering just for an occasional day, every now and then, please check out our volunteer-group working sessions, which are advertised on our Facebook page.
