Migrant Outreach Education Initiative
Experiential learning through education, partnership and community engagement across Southeast Asia.
Founded within the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 2008, MOEI began by supporting education with migrant and refugee communities along the Thailand–Myanmar border.
Since then, it has connected university students with schools and community education partners across Southeast Asia through structured, immersive programmes.
At the heart of MOEI is English-language teaching and community education. Participants undertake preparation and training before working directly with local learners, schools and education partners over an extended period.
2027 programme dates and full details coming soon.
MOEI 2027
In 2027, MOEI will run programmes in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Both programmes place English-language teaching at the centre of the experience, combining sustained classroom practice with preparation, reflection, intercultural learning and engagement with local education partners.
Thailand — Chiang Mai
6–8 weeks | Credit-bearing university internship
In 2027, students from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) will again join MOEI Thailand through a credit-bearing summer internship programme in Chiang Mai.
Following academic preparation and local training, participants will complete structured English-language teaching placements with Burmese migrant and refugee communities, Thai community schools and monastery schools.
During the main placement period, students will typically teach five days per week for approximately four hours per day, alongside lesson preparation, reflection and engagement with local educators and university partners.
Cambodia — Siem Reap
5 weeks | Community-based education programme
MOEI Cambodia places university students within established community education settings in Siem Reap, supporting English-language learning for children and young people.
Following training and preparation, participants typically teach five days per week for approximately four hours per day, planning and delivering lessons while working alongside local educators and Cambodian trainee teachers.
The programme is delivered in partnership with community education organisations and Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia – Siem Reap, creating opportunities for international and Cambodian students to learn from one another through shared classroom practice.
Dates and full programme details coming soon.
What is MOEI?
Founded within the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Social Sciences in 2008, the Migrant Outreach Education Initiative (MOEI) was initially established to provide intensive English-language education for migrant children and adults along the Moei River section of the Thailand–Myanmar border.
Since then, MOEI has expanded across Southeast Asia, with university students participating in programmes in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Participants move beyond observation and take on meaningful responsibilities within real educational settings, developing their teaching, leadership and intercultural understanding through practical experience and guided reflection.
University College Dublin students have participated in MOEI Cambodia through UCD Volunteers Overseas since 2024, while students from the University of Hong Kong will again join MOEI Thailand in 2027 through a credit-bearing summer internship programme.
MOEI is developed and delivered by Experiential Learning Asia, in collaboration with universities, schools and community partners across the region.