This Program is Directed by
Portia Watson
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Thailand
Teaching & Service in the Thai Highlands
Travel to the mountainous northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in Thailand, home to lush forests, endless mountain ranges, and tremendous ethnic and cultural diversity. Foster connections with young Thai students as you teach conversational English lessons, contribute to ongoing construction projects at local schools, and perhaps even assist with other community projects as needed. Experience northern Thailand’s distinct cultures and traditions while staying in the small community of Tha Ton on the Kok River near the border with Myanmar. Learn about Buddhism through offering alms to monks and visiting temples, make delicious dishes in a Thai cooking class, participate in a school exchange with local high school students, and cap your program by exploring the dynamic cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, northern Thai cultural hubs.
- Highlights
• Collaborate with local schools for English tutoring and assist in construction projects
• Learn how to make delicious Thai dishes such as pad thai and khao soi
• Visit temples and offer alms to monks while learning about Buddhism
• Cruise in a boat along the Kok River to Chiang Rai
• Learn how to make delicious Thai dishes such as pad thai and khao soi
• Visit temples and offer alms to monks while learning about Buddhism
• Cruise in a boat along the Kok River to Chiang Rai
“We hoped for Matt to learn about a new culture, become more independent, meet new people, have fun, and get a different perspective of the world. This program exceeded our expectations.”
—Debra & Frank G., Branchburg, NJ
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Chiang Mai, Thailand. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Chiang Mai — 3 days
Begin your program in Chiang Mai, where you will stay in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by ancient Lanna structures and picturesque temples while becoming acquainted with your surroundings and getting to know your peers. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from Chiang Mai’s beloved mountain, Doi Suthep, and visit evening markets and walking streets to sample delicious street food and try out your Thai language skills with local vendors.
Mae Ai District — 7 days
Travel northward into the mountains to a local community nestled near the border with Myanmar. Prepare English lessons alongside trained instructors and spend mornings teaching in local classrooms, or playing English learning games with Thai students. Get your hands dirty by helping with ongoing construction projects at the school, such as laying the foundation for a new canteen or giving the walls a fresh coat of paint. In the afternoons, trek through the lush landscape, go for a dip in the swimming pool, or learn how to make delicious Thai dishes by participating in a cooking class. Share your experiences through photographs, writing, or video, and develop a narrative about your time in the community.
Chiang Rai — 5 days
Travel to Chiang Rai via riverboat to explore this diverse, charming city in Thailand’s northernmost province known for its rugged natural beauty and remote highland communities. Learn how to make your own ecoprints alongside a local artist, and participate in an enriching cultural exchange with local students at a high school in the city. Visit the exquisite Wat Rong Khun temple and practice your bargaining skills at the local markets. Spend time learning about Thai plants and herbs while cooking your own dishes at an organic farm outside of the city.
Chiang Mai — 1 day
Wrap up your time with a final evening in Chiang Mai presenting your independent projects and reflecting on your adventures as a group.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Chiang Mai to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Chiang Mai, Thailand. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Chiang Mai — 3 days
Begin your program in Chiang Mai, where you will stay in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by ancient Lanna structures and picturesque temples while becoming acquainted with your surroundings and getting to know your peers. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from Chiang Mai’s beloved mountain, Doi Suthep, and visit evening markets and walking streets to sample delicious street food and try out your Thai language skills with local vendors.
Mae Ai District — 7 days
Travel northward into the mountains to a local community nestled near the border with Myanmar. Prepare English lessons alongside trained instructors and spend mornings teaching in local classrooms, or playing English learning games with Thai students. Get your hands dirty by helping with ongoing construction projects at the school, such as laying the foundation for a new canteen or giving the walls a fresh coat of paint. In the afternoons, trek through the lush landscape, go for a dip in the swimming pool, or learn how to make delicious Thai dishes by participating in a cooking class. Share your experiences through photographs, writing, or video, and develop a narrative about your time in the community.
Chiang Rai — 5 days
Travel to Chiang Rai via riverboat to explore this diverse, charming city in Thailand’s northernmost province known for its rugged natural beauty and remote highland communities. Learn how to make your own ecoprints alongside a local artist, and participate in an enriching cultural exchange with local students at a high school in the city. Visit the exquisite Wat Rong Khun temple and practice your bargaining skills at the local markets. Spend time learning about Thai plants and herbs while cooking your own dishes at an organic farm outside of the city.
Chiang Mai — 1 day
Wrap up your time with a final evening in Chiang Mai presenting your independent projects and reflecting on your adventures as a group.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Chiang Mai to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.Â
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Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.Â
No posts found
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Community Service
During your time in Thailand, you can expect to work on one main project—teaching English to local schoolchildren. We may also assist with smaller, construction-based projects as needed. The focus of this summer program is learning about another culture by forming meaningful relationships with local people and undertaking a shared service experience together. You should come into the summer with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life. Everyone participates in the groups’ project, and lends a hand in creating a positive and supportive group environment. To learn more about our Service programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—learn how food is an integral part of Thai family life, create a photo album that documents a Thai classroom, or learn a traditional dance or song.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities. You can expect to trek to temples and stupas, participate in games and sports with local students, and traverse the towns of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai on foot.
Accommodations
During the program, students stay 2-3 to a room at locally owned guest houses with hot showers, air conditioning, and electricity. In Maekok Village we stay in dormitory style rooms in a comfortable bunk house with a wealth of common spaces including a game room and swimming pool on site.
Meals
We eat breakfast together as a group at the guesthouse, which includes traditional Thai breakfast fare like rice congee or khao tom, with some supplemental Western food. We eat Thai style lunches and dinners at our accommodations or at local restaurants.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Community Service
During your time in Thailand, you can expect to work on one main project—teaching English to local schoolchildren. We may also assist with smaller, construction-based projects as needed. The focus of this summer program is learning about another culture by forming meaningful relationships with local people and undertaking a shared service experience together. You should come into the summer with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life. Everyone participates in the groups’ project, and lends a hand in creating a positive and supportive group environment. To learn more about our Service programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—learn how food is an integral part of Thai family life, create a photo album that documents a Thai classroom, or learn a traditional dance or song.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities. You can expect to trek to temples and stupas, participate in games and sports with local students, and traverse the towns of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai on foot.
Accommodations
During the program, students stay 2-3 to a room at locally owned guest houses with hot showers, air conditioning, and electricity. In Maekok Village we stay in dormitory style rooms in a comfortable bunk house with a wealth of common spaces including a game room and swimming pool on site.
Meals
We eat breakfast together as a group at the guesthouse, which includes traditional Thai breakfast fare like rice congee or khao tom, with some supplemental Western food. We eat Thai style lunches and dinners at our accommodations or at local restaurants.
A Day in the Life: Maekok River Village​
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in our host community.
- Morning
7:00am
Enjoy a Thai-style breakfast with your group
8:00am
Head to the local school to begin your day of lessons
9:00am
Tutor Thai students in English by playing games or singing songs
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Take a lunch break and play games or relax
1:00pm
Continue your classroom lessons or assist with construction projects
4:00pm
Go for a trek, journal, or take a dip in the swimming pool
- Evening
6:00pm
Enjoy dinner together as a group
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day, then a visit to the night market
A Day in the Life:
Maekok River Village​
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in our host community.
- Morning
7:00am
Enjoy a Thai-style breakfast with your group
8:00am
Head to the local school to begin your day of lessons
9:00am
Tutor Thai students in English by playing games or singing songs
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Take a lunch break and play games or relax
1:00pm
Continue your classroom lessons or assist with construction projects
4:00pm
Go for a trek, journal, or take a dip in the swimming pool
- Evening
6:00pm
Enjoy dinner together as a group
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day, then a visit to the night market
“While many things are different about the way kids my age live across the world, many things are similar as well. I learned a new way of life.”
—Hannah S., Edgemont High School, Scarsdale, NY
This Program is Directed by
Portia Watson
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
