Project Orientation
Upon arrival into Kuala Lumpur, you will be met and taken for a welcome dinner. There will then be an orientation session with information about the project and the available opportunities, including:
- An introduction to Malaysia culture and values
- Your health and safety whilst in Malaysia
- Workplace ethics and essential information before starting your project
- Money and transportation in Malaysia
- An introduction to the area where you will be working
- Local food and practices
- Areas of Malaysia worth visiting in your free time
Accommodation and Meals
Zoo Negara - You will live in a house in the grounds of the Zoo. It is a three-bedroom house. For groups larger than three, there will have to be twin sharing.
Taiping Zoo - You will live in a basic three-bedroom, two-storey house with two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area and living room. It’s a spacious house, built in around the 1960’s. It’s a 1.5km walk from the zoo and 3.2km walk to the main town (there is a taxi service available into town).
Food is provided - good wholesome Malay cuisine. However, your Zoo colleagues will either cook together and you can opt for a self-catering style, or eat out as food is cheap and in easy access to hawker stalls and local restaurants - a full meal can be obtained for £1-2. A fixed allowance for self-catering is given at the programme start and volunteers can top this up if they wish. Everyone stops for a large breakfast at 10.30am, lunch is not usually taken though the Zoo restaurants can provide food and there are shops within walking distance. Please note that 80% of the food contains chilli though strength varies according to personal taste.
Free Time
Your day will start at 8am and finish at 5pm. Your evenings and weekends are free so you will have plenty of time to explore Malaysia. All the Zoos are within easy travelling distance from various destinations such as Penang, Cameron Highlands, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur so plenty of travelling is possible.
Project Support
You will have the continual support and guidance of Mary, our coordinator, who will assist you with any questions or advice you may need. In addition you will be given a 24-hour emergency number so you can contact our staff in the UK at any time.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants health.
