Half time summary

By Leon Wittig , volunteer at VSAMLTV1401: RPK50 School-Khonkaen, May 2026 

I honestly cannot believe that I am here for 5 months already, that is just crazy in my opinion. I feel like I am still getting to know everyone and I am not sure if I will ever get out of that stage in my remaining time here.

After a little more thought, I am - in a way - both happy and sad about the fact that half my time in Thailand has already passed. On the one hand I had so many amazing experiences so far, with many more to come hopefully, but on the other hand I am also looking forward to being home again and seeing all my friends and family. So far, I wouldn’t say that I have ever been homesick during my stay here, but I still miss my loved ones a good amount.

Not only have I experienced a great time, but I also learned a lot of stuff about me personally, which is not always comfortable but very valuable in my opinion. I can say that I am more open now to learning uncomfortable truths about myself, for example that I am not a great teacher yet (but that is actually okay).

Even though not everything went perfectly and there were some issues here and there, I am constantly adapting and learning to overcome any difficulties that may occur. And I am getting so much better in managing my daily life and teaching too.

The best part about my journey so far has not much to do with myself, it is the peopleI met during my stay here. The 4 German volunteers accompanying me here in Khon Kaen, as well as many other volunteers I met at the arrival camp and my visit in Songkhla – the VSA members who are always helpful and nice – the teachers at my school and especially my buddy teacher P Fon, who is a really lovely person – and of course my students who are probably the greatest and sweetest students in the whole entire world (I would not trade one of them).