Are you looking for an international cultural immersion program or community service trip that allows you to explore the world this summer? If so, take a look at our Thailand teen travel program!

Our Thailand: Elephants, Education, And Cultural Exploration program is an old favorite of ours and we have been working with our local partners for many years. Every summer, 9th - 12th grade students join us for 3 weeks of adventure, service, immersion, and they get to see some of the best parts of Thailand along the way.

So, what are some of the experiences that teens can expect when they choose this popular Southeast Asian trip? Let’s take a sneak peak!

Traveling from San Francisco and taking in the wonders of Bangkok

Our trip starts at California’s San Francisco Airport (SFO) where students will meet their trip leaders and start the journey around the world (literally). Following arrival in the Thai capital of Bangkok, the group will settle into their accommodation in the city, as participants get to know each other and adjust to the time difference.

The next few days will see the students explore the ancient buildings, temples, and other highlights of Bangkok, encompassing renowned sites such as the Grand Palace, Wat Po, and Emerald Buddha.

Teaching English to local children, and experiencing Koh Samet and Chiang Mai

For the next section of our trip, we start our first service work projects, running a cultural exchange camp and providing English lessons to Thai elementary school students. We share similarities and differences in culture, play games, teach lessons, and get to immerse ourselves in school life. After the school day is over, we continue exploring the local area and iconic sites of Bangkok.

After a busy few days, we say goodbye to our new friends at the cultural exchange camp, and board a small boat to start the next leg of our trip. After the busy streets in Bangkok, we take time to explore some of the more rural parts of the country. We spend time in Koh Samet, a small island off the coast. Here, students will get to relax on its white sand beaches and explore its hidden bays, swimming and snorkeling along the way. This change of pace and scenery is a much needed chance to recharge, and immerse ourselves in rural Thailand seeing a different side to the country. As we leave Koh Samet, we head north on a short internal flight, to explore Chiang Mai!

Supporting elephant conservation and engaging with authentic Thai culture

Our next community service project is a stark difference from the classrooms of Bangkok. Our time in Chiang Mai starts with getting “up close and personal” with elephants at a dedicated Elephant conservation sanctuary. For the next few days of our international immersion program we will be “getting our hands dirty” as we help with feeding, exercising, cleaning and caring for these majestic animals. We also help with other ongoing service projects at the sanctuary to help with the overall running of the site. This is a truly unforgettable experience and a very special part of the program.

We wrap up our time in Thailand meeting and chatting with Buddhist monks to discover more about their faith, lifestyle, and commitment. We also take a Thai cooking class to try and hone our culinary skills with fresh local produce and recipes. Another highlight of the last few days is exploring the vibrant night markets of Chiang Mai. These local markets are filled with intricate crafts, local foods and beautiful clothing.

For our last evening together, we have a final night banquet and reflect on our experiences together over the last 3 weeks. We then board flights back to the US, and onwards to home!

Has the above itinerary got you excited about what your summer could look like? If so, schedule a call with an RLT director about this international immersion program, to save your place for summer 2024.

Teen service and immersion program to Thailand