Here are a few things you should be aware of with regards to religion, cultural habits, and cuisine when volunteer teaching in Asia. Working in Asia, you will meet people from various religions. The major religions that you are most likely to encounter are the following:
Buddhism (Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Bhutan, and Mongolia),
Christianity (the Philippines, East Timor, South Korea, and Vietnam),
Confucianism (China),
Hinduism (India),
Islam (Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh),
Shinto (Japan), and Taoism (China).
It is also highly likely that the community in which you will be working will have more than one religious group, for example, Hindus may be living in close proximity to Muslims. There are some cultural habits that you may not be familiar with.
Here’s a small sample. Spitting is very commonplace, especially in China: people spit in the streets, indoors, and even in restaurants. In many parts of Asia, especially Japan, it is customary to remove one’s shoes before entering the house. The nails on the little finger and the thumb are often grown to a length of four or five centimetres: especially in China and Indonesia. The Japanese love to slurp loudly when eating noodles.
Rice is the staple food of Asia: and it is eaten with chopsticks; in contrast, people in India often eat with their (right) hands. It is usually served steamed, but it can be eaten as a porridge called congee.
Fish is also very popular, for example, sushi and sashimi are very popular Japanese fish dishes.
If you like fruit and are teaching in S.E. Asia, the durian is a fruit that you are likely to sample. Although it is highly prized for its taste, be warned – it has a fetid smell.
Apart from the usual beverages, in Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and some parts of Thailand they also drink sugar cane juice.
Don’t forget – research the country you are volunteering to work in BEFORE you take up the post.
Read more: 7 Alternative Places To Volunteer Teach English As A Foreign Language