Mae Hong Son
Chiang Mai
Sukhothai
Ubon Ratchani
bangkok
Program Overview
FROM THE BUZZING METROPOLIS OF BANGKOK TO THE VERDANT MOUNTAINS AND RICE PADDIES OF THE NORTH, THE STAGGERING BEAUTY OF THAILAND LEAVES ONE ENCHANTED AND YEARNING TO EXPLORE THE NEXT WONDER.
Our program begins in the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiangmai. Here, students orient themselves to the cultural, spiritual, and culinary nuances of the Land of Smiles before diving deeper into learning about the rich cultural heritage of a Karen community outside Chiangrai.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & OUTCOMES
- Gain 20 hours of service and learn what ethical and responsible service means and how to incorporate a service mindset into your life back home.
- Partake in a three day Theravada meditation retreat set in the misty mountains of Chiang Mai learning several forms of insight meditation
- Examine on environmental and social justice issues in Thailand with local grassroots…
Our program begins in the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiangmai. Here, students orient themselves to the cultural, spiritual, and culinary nuances of the Land of Smiles before diving deeper into learning about the rich cultural heritage of a Karen community outside Chiangrai.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & OUTCOMES
- Gain 20 hours of service and learn what ethical and responsible service means and how to incorporate a service mindset into your life back home.
- Partake in a three day Theravada meditation retreat set in the misty mountains of Chiang Mai learning several forms of insight meditation
- Examine on environmental and social justice issues in Thailand with local grassroots NGOs to gain practical knowledge of pressing regional issues
- Learn about seed saving and sustainable agriculture by getting your hands dirty at a community-led sustainable farm
- Live with Karen ethnic minority communities in Chiang Rai, taking part in daily life and rituals.
We then move further north into the mountainous hill tribe regions in Hua Hin Lad Nai, where we hike through tea plantations and stay with ethnic minority communities to catch a glimpse into their traditional way of life. During this homestay experience, we’ll learn about sustainable practices like rotational farming, tea cultivation, and honey production, intertwined with deep spiritual insights. Amid tea plantations and Buddhist temples, we explore some of the dichotomies that come with living in a region experiencing rampant development while maintaining ritual and custom.
From here, we enter into a small Theravada Buddhist monastery in Chiang Rai for a three day meditation retreat where we learn and practice many forms of meditation—insight, walking, eating, silence—to center ourselves. We then venture to Chiang Khong, engaging with the Mekong School, a grassroots NGO to gain a profound understanding of regional environmental and social issues.
Our Thailand journey culminates with a few days of exploration of the country’s colorful and bustling capital, Bangkok, where we say goodbye to Southeast Asia amid the wild sprawl and awe-inspiring skyline of one of the world’s great alpha cities.
