D received her start date for the job offer she accepted and its not until 9/9/19. She is looking to travel for the summer and is very interested in Asia. My requirement (because she doesn’t think she can find a travel partner) is that she join a work program or something that has a built in support system. South Korea, Thailand and Singapore are some areas to explore. I told her I’d come here and see if anyone can give pointers, experiences, advice as to where to start looking, etc. She is hoping for approximately two months, mid June to mid August.
Is an NGO or teaching an English program something that she could do? Do you belong to any particular religious denomination that would have overseas programs?
My younger daughter traveled with a friend to Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia last summer. (I think it was last summer.) They did fine. Their trip was three weeks long.
I’m currently in Phuket, Thailand. Been visiting here for the past 14 years. Safe place. She may want to look into teaching English. Knowing English is very useful for Thais because of tourism. Keep in mind that summer is monsoon season in Thailand and Cambodia.
Thanks everyone, she would consider teaching but not sure that is her first choice. She will have a four year Math/CS degree so anyplace that a bachelors is required she could teach.
@ECmotherx2 no religious background but she is looking at NGOs.
@rosered55 How exciting, she would love to find a friend to go but hasn’t had any luck
@123France Thank you, I’m a bit reluctant to let her go so knowing which places are the safest is a good start for us!
@NEPatsGirl, I live in Southeast Asia and will think about this. First though, what are her expectations for funding this internship? Does she want or need the employer to pay a salary and cover housing, airfare, insurance? The less the employer has to pay out the greater the possibility of finding a position. If her objective is to gain experience (and have an adventure) then she might think about volunteering instead of trying to find a paid position. Most Asian countries are quite strict about work visas and that’s another complication that might be difficult to resolve for a 2 month stay.
Second, what would be her ideal field / area of interest?
Would you feel more comfortable about your daughter going on this trip if she were with a friend for part of the time? Two months might be hard for some people to do because of the amount of time and the expense whereas two or three weeks could be easier to swing. And then if you traveled with her for part of the time…
https://www.boobooski.com/summer/
Not glamorous but might be fun. Very safe!
@momrath She is looking at this as an adventure and a way to use her summer before full-time adulting starts in September. She is willing to pay for the trip but if possible would be nice to have some of it paid either housing for a volunteer position or payment for work. She isn’t considering this an internship opportunity.
@rosered55 I think she’d like to go for at least a month. Normally I’d say I’d love to go but Asia isn’t even on my list, certainly not my shortlist lol. I also work full time and we are going to Greece for two weeks together in May, using up a good portion of my vacation time.
@NorthernMom61 thank you, I’ll take a look!
@NorthernMom61 looks like a great program but most likely not for her. Contracts are generally 3-4 months and they expect 9 hour work days and overtime during July and August, woozers! She is looking for something with a little less work and the ability to travel a bit to see the country (wherever she ends up). Great idea for that right person though.
What areas would she like to be involved in? E.g. public health, the environment, women’s issues, refugees, hospitality, finance, tech, government?
Not quite the same thing, but my son joined a tour in New Zealand that bought you a seat on a bus and then you chose your options for activities and lodgin. He met people traveling alone who were of varying ages.
Finding an English teaching position for a couple of months is not as easy as you may think. Taking some kind of adventure tour (or a couple of them) oriented to young people may meet both of your requirements for her to travel with others and see lots of different places. There are many trekking type tours that would appeal to young adults.
Otherwise, an internship perhaps for a month followed by travel?
PMd you
I think getting paid for a couple of months work in Asia is unlikely, unless she’s hired by someone she knows. Big volunteer organizations often expect the volunteers to cover their own living expenses (though they help with arrangements). Employers who hire paid interns have to arrange work visas and usually expect a commitment of time and an interest in the field.
Here are examples of a couple of programs, one large international organization, one small local group. (I don’t have personal connections to either.)
https://www.volunteerhq.org/faq/
http://rolefoundation.org/
I’d also suggest that she contact the AmCham offices in the places she’s considering.
In general with basic common sense precautions, Southeast Asia is relatively safe. Housing can be challenging. In big cities, cheap may be a bit dodgy, and upscale will be expensive. In more small towns, the countryside and touristed areas it’s easier to find inexpensive, clean and safe places to stay.
Thank you momrath 
The more I think about it, I’d suggest that your daughter consider Bali as a base. It’s a convenient hub for travel throughout Southeast Asia (Look at AirAsia). It’s cheap, mostly safe (if you avoid Kuta Beach) and it’s full of young enthusiastic explorers.
The inland town of Ubud is charming and overflowing with NGOs and change the world organizations… I don’t know if they’d be in a position to pay, but I’d think that some might be interested in CS skills and advice.
Here are a few more ideas that might be of interest.
https://hubud.org/
https://www.bali.com/charities-ngos.html
Traveling in SE Asia is dirt cheap. Lodging, food, flights (once there), trains, everything. Should she not find someone to pay for her to do something and just travel, it’s not a big expense. I was recently there for two months NOT in hostels and spent very little $.
I also met some English teachers, more in Vietnam. Most were on 6 month to 1 year contracts. They worked few hours a day, though, One did like 2-3 hours of private-ish lessons , another did a regular school day sort of gig. I think most places that pay for teachers want more than 2 months…and she’d be stuck in one city doing that anyway. Neat experience, and maybe could travel weekends, but still.
I met a lot of backpackers as well, doing the circuit (that’s a thing).
New Zealand has a working holiday visa program for those under 30 - up to a year and they can work pretty much anyplace they can get a job. Often is picking kiwis or similar but can be more interesting work and better pay depending on skills. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/united-states-of-america-working-holiday-visa
Thailand is well geared up for tourism and has a lot of interesting destinations for a solo traveler. We went this summer with our teens and they loved it. Yes, it rained, but it wasn’t too bad and it never stopped us from seeing anything. I also think teaching English for a couple of months is the best short term option. Thailand is cheaper than China, which we didn’t find to be super cheap.
In your daughter’s shoes, I would recommend Thailand over China and Indonesia. Personally, given the religious influence and the complete lack of charm in Jakarta, I wouldn’t consider that a good option for a solo female traveler. I LOVED China, but I’d be wary of being a single female traveling there. There’s something inherently friendly and welcoming about the Thais that, in my mind, makes it the best choice. Bangkok is truly a modern and cosmopolitan city. If she were there, she would have access to everything she needs.
I have no direct knowledge of Laos, Cambodia, or Vietnam. I do believe they are probably a little less developed than other SE Asian countries. Singapore might be a good idea if she wants somewhere more like home.
Having lived in Jakarta for 15 years I wouldn’t recommend it either but Bali is a completely different situation. A culture rich in pageantry and arts, phenomenal natural beauty and an accessible community of young travelers.
Yes, Bali is incredible and I loved it. But I think there would be limited opportunities for work apart from tourism jobs.