The strong connection between Thai people and their elephants has for many years been a very important part of Thai culture. Elephants are endangered animals throughout this region due to the harmful logging industry, poaching (illegal hunting) and habitat loss. In the forests of eastern Thailand, you will work closely with these amazing animals to assist in their conservation and educational practices for caring for elephants within a village community.
You will spend your time planting and harvesting food for elephants, building elephant shelters and other facilities as well as taking the elephants on numerous walks, including some bath time. The volunteer projects help to protect these elephants whilst educating locals on an alternative, more humane way, to treat these amazing animals.
The experience provides you with the opportunity to not only develop a deep connection with these animals, but also is a strong component of the Leadership development course. Here, you can connect with a species both revered and hunted, feared and protected.
Through this experience you will begin to understand the purpose and mission of wildlife organisations, and experience how they bring humans and animals together in a way that is peaceful, harmonious, and encourages the protection and care of our planet’s species.
One of the stark differences of teaching in Thailand is the way in which the local school children respond to education. During your farmstay and work at a local school, your activities will range from teaching English to local school children to planting fresh farm produce with a sustainable farming project. In the rural areas of Northern Thailand, the school buildings are often run down, and resources are lacking. Your efforts will focus on a huge push to improve the learning environment at these schools and support“hands-on” community projects, such as greenhouses, mushrooms houses and hydroponic planting systems. These projects assist villages and families in developing a sustainable standard of living in one of Thailand’s most underdeveloped regions.
You’ll have trained facilitators alongside you to guide you to create the most positive impact with your skillset. Your current knowledge of your own progressive style of education is very valuable to young learners here and enhances their education. If you have your TEFL certification, or would like to earn this qualification, you can enroll in our online course and be able to bring professional training to your Thailand experience. Your efforts working together with the community to instill the crucial elements of educational basics will make a visible and measureable difference, and enable individuals, families, schools and communities to have an opportunities for a sustainable and healthier standard of living.
During your experience in Thailand you will truly appreciate being able to develop a deep teaching and learning connection with others, which is essentially what it’s all about. Teaching or assisting in the conservation of elephants, engaging in local communities, or teaching, or assisting in other helpful agricultural activities here would not only provide the students and staff with a more solid base for education, it would also deepen an understanding of what life is like in a real Thai community.
Your own leadership skills will be shaped and strengthened whilst creating a lasting, positive change. During your time in this community, our qualified facilitators will assist you on your path of personal development to ensure you feel the positive impact of the deep connection you develop within the community, as well as enable you to apply your leadership skills directly to the needs of this community. An invaluable life experience will be gained along with a sense of achievement in an environment where your volunteer efforts and leadership abilities truly matter.
Experience excitement on a whole new level through the many opportunities on your Thailand EDventure. In Thailand you can push your boundary of choice, whether it be hiking through the Thai jungle; gripping zip-lines that whisk you through jungle tree-tops; or even kayaking and spending a couple days on a floating lake cabin.
However, if relaxing and soaking in the culture is more your preference, you can experience the ancient art of Thai massage; learn the mysteries behind the walled city of Chiang Mai; or take in the sights, smells and sounds of the bustling night markets.
For most, sitting in an ancient temple, surrounded by lush jungle covered mountains chatting with a monk is an unusual experience. But unusual experiences are sometimes the best kind. Monk Chat allows you to sit casually and chat with the monks and better understand Buddhism, and the way of life followed by Thai monks and Thai people as well. In return, the Monks get the opportunity to chat with a foreigner and improve their English.
Thai dishes of local fresh vegetables prepared with rice or noodles can be a spicy, exotic food for many EDventurers, but you can learn to prepare Thai dishes yourself in a local cooking class. Challenge yourself to create a dish that tempts the taste buds of the locals who are ready to teach you the secrets of traditional Thai cooking.
Please be advised some modifications may occur to this itinerary to ensure the safety and quality of the program. The following will provide you with an overview of your upcoming EDventure to Thailand.