Volunteer

You share our vision of an education based on instilling in students the desire to learn and excel so that they can successfully meet the challenges of their rapidly changing world while improving their employability and earning prospects.

Like AIAT, you believe in creating an atmosphere between students, teachers and staff in which cooperation and respect for individual, cultural, economic and social differences prevail.

You want to take the plunge and participate in the AIAT mission.

Then, volunteer by emailing us at: info@aiat.in

Our Volunteer's Voices

Volunteers are the vital elements of our mission, and their stories are a testament to the power of giving back. On this page, we share inspiring testimonials from our incredible volunteers, showcasing their experiences, personal growth, and the impact they’ve made within the community.

Read on to discover how volunteering with [Organization Name] has transformed lives—not just for those we serve but for the volunteers themselves. We hope their stories will inspire you to become a part of our community and experience the joy and fulfilment that comes with making a difference.

Andreas from Austria, 2024/25

“My name is Andreas Patuzzi, I am 19 years old and volunteering at the AIAT for 10 months. I completed my mechatronics high school diploma in Austria, while already doing my best to assist the teachers and improve the education. In addition, I have 3 years of professional experience in the IT sector and I participated in or even taught at multiple local as well as international courses, events, conferences, and competitions.

I wanted to work at the AIAT because it is a great place to share my passion for technology. I appreciate the idea of high-level skill-, practical-, and project-oriented education and want to do my part to make it a reality. My first month at the Institute was interesting, and proved, that I am at the right place, while also showing me some tasks that I can do to improve the status quo. It feels great to be here, but there are so many options and tasks that I could work on and my time is unfortunately limited.

For the next 10 months, I am going to teach and participate in projects, especially in the field of coding and robotics. For this purpose I also brought my robot and 3D camera, from former hobby and professional projects, to use at the institute. I am currently working together with the electronics and computer science teachers in their lessons and projects. I also plan and work on my own robotics and computer vision projects and want to prepare specialized lessons in the future. Besides the technical work, I am also the primary school photographer and work on social media. With my capturing and editing experience, I want to provide and publish high-quality material about the lessons, projects, and events regularly, while currently focusing on Instagram."

Andreas at Irumbai Campus

Working with eBike Project

Teaching B.Voc Students

Cloudflight Coding Contest

At the Higher Education Guidance Expo

With ITI Completed Trainees 2024

Teaching Robotics Lessons

Andreas explaining his Project to a representative from NGO.jpeg

Mohan from Austria, 2024/25

“My name is Mohan Furthmaier, and I am a 20-year-old volunteer from Austria. Before coming here, I completed an apprenticeship at the Austrian Railways and now work in telematics enabling technology there. Alongside my work, I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in business informatics.

For the past four weeks, I’ve been volunteering at the Auroville Institute of Applied Technology, and it has been an amazing experience. The students here are incredible—full of ideas and energy, and always eager to learn. I’ve had the pleasure of working on a biogas project with a group of students from production and green technology, along with two highly experienced and supportive teachers. Their knowledge and guidance have been invaluable, and the students' enthusiasm has made the project truly rewarding.

Volunteering at the institute has not only been a learning experience but has also allowed me to form strong bonds with the students and staff. I’ve made great friends, and each day has been filled with new discoveries. My time here has been fantastic, and I look forward to continuing this journey with them.”

Mohan at AIAT - Palmyra Campus

Andreas&Mohan with Stem Land Teachers

Mohan working with B.Voc Students & Staff on Bio-Gas Project

Simon from Austria, 2023/24

"My time at the Auroville Institute of Applied Technology was a unique and enriching experience that not only taught me professional skills but also provided me with profound personal insights.
The challenges I encountered during my work taught me patience and resilience. Step by step, we worked through the various tasks at hand. Although it was sometimes more difficult to carry out my duties conscientiously due to poor sleep quality or heat, it was precisely this challenge that strengthened me and contributed significantly to my personal development and resilience.
Working at the AIAT was particularly valuable. I realised how important teamwork, clear communication and cooperation are for achieving sustainable results. Many problems don't go away overnight, but a lot can be achieved with patience and proper communication.
I would also like to emphasise that this time was not only professionally enriching, but above all personally enriching. These experiences have taught me to remain patient and calm, even when things don't always go according to plan.
With these valuable memories, I look to the future with gratitude and confidence.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has made it possible for us to complete a civilian alternative service or voluntary service abroad."

Simon with ITI Trainees

Simon teaching Employability Skills lessons to ITI trainees

Simon during work at AIAT

Farewell to Simon

Dominik & David from Austria 2022/23

"Looking back, I can say that the ‘experience of social service’ has shaped me, especially personally. Through Auroville, I had the feeling of not just getting to know India, but also many cultures and their people. I appreciate the privilege of meeting new people almost weekly
and making friends that will hopefully last for a long time into the future. I also came into contact with a variety of spiritual practices and ideologies, which was an especially enriching experience for me.
As a ‘tech nerd’ and graduate of a technical college, it was important to me to pass on my knowledge in order to inspire others with my passion for mechanical engineering and to learn myself in the process. My work at AIAT has exceeded all my expectations. I had a
great deal of creative freedom to implement my own ideas and projects, had a varied and interesting working day and flexible working hours that allowed me to take more time off for short holidays. I found it particularly rewarding to pass on my own knowledge, which I had acquired over the years, to others in a variety of ways. In courses, presentations and SOPs. In person, on video or in writing. To young people, university students and pensioners.
I am particularly proud to have created something that makes a lasting contribution to my place of work. 3D printing will hopefully become a unique selling point in the future and a tool for implementing projects that were previously unthinkable. Social services, Auroville and India will definitely always have a special place in my memory. This year has shown me how colourful our world is. How many cultures are waiting to be discovered, countries to be travelled to and friendships to be made.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who makes it possible for girls and boys in Austria to have such a formative life experience at such a young age. Thank you for helping to create tolerant, open-minded and independent Austrians.”

Dominik explaining about 3D Printer

Dominik during teaching classes at AIAT

Dominik cleaning and maintaining the machines at AIAT Mechanical Lab

Dominik hosting 3D Printer Workshop

Dominik & David with AIAT Staff

David, Volunteer for Fitter Training

Farewell to David

Pascal from Austria 2019/20

Pascal explaining his Thesis, the head of a robot, to the curious Teachers and the Principal.

AIAT Teachers were learning programming from Pascal and AIAT had an electronic school bell.

Pascal brings a gift from Austria for AIAT Principal

Manuel from Germany 2018

Manuel, a German Weltwärts volunteer in sports, donates T-shirts with the AIAT logo to the trainees.

Manuel came to Auroville from Germany in 2018 through the Weltwärts programme. He supported AIAT trainees with sports lessons.

Karim from Austria 2018/19

Karim ran an intensive Welder course for Aurovilians and guests.

Farewell to Karim

Jonathan and Theodor from Germany, 2016/17

Weltwärts volunteers at AIAT, an interview

A: Could you please introduce yourselves and tell us what brought you here?

T: My name is Theodor and I completed my A-levels and then trained as a physical-technical laboratory assistant. After year 10, I wanted to go abroad - but English wasn't relevant. I then came across this position here on the Weltwärts website. Because it matched my training, I applied and was delighted to be accepted.

J: My name is Jonathan Mundhenke. After finishing secondary school, I completed a technical apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician and then worked as amechatronics technician for a year. I then travelled to Australia for over a year to see the world. As I enjoyed this so much, I really wanted to go to another country for a longer period of time. However, one requirement was to find a job where I could build on my professional experience as a mechatronics engineer. This and the desire to do something charitable led me to 'Weltwärts' and 'Auroville'. I initially wanted to work in the 'Sunlit Future' project there. However, this was cancelled as a Weltwärts project, which is how I ended up at AIAT. From my current perspective, I would describe this as a stroke of luck.

A: What are your experiences with the project? Technically and with the teachers and students?

J: You notice the cultural difference. For example, problems are postponed until tomorrow rather than tackled, or safety rules are disregarded. Things are also often not planned and carried out very precisely. Because the metal training programmes have only been around for two years, many things are still in the development stage. Which is a good thing as I am therefore a real help through my work. That makes me happy and spurs me on. The teachers are very nice, but unfortunately they only ever speak to each other in Tamil, which is why you often feel excluded. It would certainly be very good to learn Tamil. But it's too difficult for me. The students sometimes try to teach me a few words, which I use to great enthusiasm in some situations. It's a lot of fun working with the students, but it can also be quite exhausting.

T: I was a bit depressed at first because what I've learnt isn't really in demand here, I'm just not a metalworker. If at all, I can only do very short things in the metal sector. Also, the lessons are in Tamil and not in English, I was told otherwise. One third understand English, two thirds don't. As a result, I find it difficult to make contact.

In the course of this discussion, I realised that the AIAT website needs an overhaul - and I'm now working on it. It should have a clear structure, invite you to linger and have a coherent design. Then I'll take photos, e.g. of Jonathan's table, so that it can be sold. I've also started giving English and German conversation lessons.

A: Is the table the first project?

J: No, we started with the solar lamp. The table was only completed first. But the solar lamp was also finished recently. Unfortunately, the stove isn't finished yet. I don't have enough time to finish it at the moment. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be able to build it in class before Christmas. One of my main problems when planning new projects is that I often don't know what materials are available to buy. It would be nice to have an overview like in a DIY store, for example. In Pondicherry it's not easy to find anything specific. In addition, you have to pay close attention to the costs. It is therefore difficult to realize the original ideas. You have to be very flexible, and the result is often very different from the basic idea.

A: What is easy? What is fun? What is difficult?

T: The English lessons are easier than I thought at the beginning. Because we read texts and talk about them, it's very relaxed for me and talking about how things are in Europe and India, I like that. The English lessons also take longer than expected. Finding a text that is similar to what you need is not easy.

J: Some of the tools I work with here are different from the ones I know from my apprenticeship. What I find difficult is getting the precision that I know from Germany. One example would be the machine hacksaw. During my apprenticeship, I worked with a circular saw, with which workpieces can be cut more precisely. What's more, there are often several students working on the machines at the same time, which can quickly lead to accidents. If that had happened during my apprenticeship, my master would have thrown us out of the workshop. The students are allowed to play from 4 pm until the end of school. I often play the card game 'UNO' or an Indian board game 'Carromss' with them, where everyone has a lot of fun.

A: It seems like you enjoy working here, so it's easy.

J: Exactly. I have a lot of fun, although communication is definitely a problem. You still find your jokes. What always makes me laugh are the nice greetings from the students. When I arrive in Palmyra, they shout my nickname from the classrooms and wave to me. In work lessons, they often stand next to me and want to help me. Sometimes I feel like I'm in kindergarten and it gets exhausting after a while.

In the mornings, the students have theory lessons, and I occasionally go into the workshop on my own. This is when I can work most productively. The practical lessons take place in the afternoon. Then it gets more stressful, and you don't get on as quickly because the machines are occupied, I have to supervise the students or tools are taken away from me again.

I'm also pleased that I can have a strong cultural experience at school.

A teacher once invited me to his house. He showed me around Pondicherry and we went to his mum's house. The whole family was there. Ten people in three small rooms. They gave me something to eat, but they didn't eat anything themselves. As they couldn't speak English, we only communicated using verbal sign language.

It's very nice to have direct contacts through teachers and pupils when it comes to cultural matters. Sometimes festive rituals are also performed at school. It is very interesting to experience these.

T: I'm pleased that I've managed to make a connection with two pupils in English lessons. The other pupils are slowly saying hello to me too. It's nice to see that things are slowly moving forward.

A: You've been here for three months now. Do you feel you have made the right choice?

J: Yes, I really enjoy planning the projects here. What bothers me a bit is that it feels like someone is stealing my time. I work flat out, but the work only progresses slowly. There are always things in between that take up a lot of time, such as power cuts, lack of materials or problems with the tools. But I think these things are typical for India. At the moment, only the lamp and the table are finished. But I would like to have finished the stove and started the lessons. In the lessons that I am currently planning with the teachers, the pupils are to build the table in four groups.

A: Didn't you have to arrive first, get an overview, gain experience and, for example, realise that 'the clocks tick differently here than we know them from Germany' and deal with the different conditions? Sure - it's very good for AIAT if something is produced that can be sold. They urgently need money.

J: Yes, that's what concerns me the most. The students are now becoming more and more advanced in their lessons. They have to get to grips with the project now, otherwise they won't be challenged enough. But a lot of things come up and because the projects are new for everyone involved, there are a lot of uncertainties that take up a lot of time, which is why the lesson preparation for the table has still not been finalized.

A: Have we forgotten something important? Are you longing for home?

J: I don't have any longing, which is certainly also due to the fact that I deal with so many things here.

T: I don't miss Germany at the moment - I've arrived.

A: Thank you very much for the interview.

Clemens from Austria 2021/21

Project based learning – Clemens with trainees

Clemens working with Solar Panels

Together with the Electronic teacher, Clemens worked on a solar-powered battery charger.