SJA Jeju: Thailand Service Learning 2020

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand

Local market, Chiang Mai | Rachel Imber

Local Karen women selling handicrafts

Elephants at the Elephant Nature Park Thailand

Thailand's markets are one of the best places to try local cuisine | Rachel Imber

Code: SOG6416

Overview

Highlights

The sights and sounds of Bangkok
The bustling Chang Mai night markets
The splendid Buddhist temples of Doi Suthep
Traditional lunch hosted by local families
Thai cooking class and permaculture activities
A day spent interacting with elephants at a local santuary

This short but sweet itinerary will immerse students from SJA Jeju in Thai culture while encouraging them to consider their place in humanity, their effects of the environment and building stronger bonds with their peers.

We will spend the majority of the trip in the area around Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand where we will begin with a visit to Doi Suthep. Here students will gain an understanding of Buddhism and its influence on Thai culture and society. Next they will travel to a local village where they will be engaged in the final stages of the construction of a community centre for the local ethnic groups. When finished the centre will have two rooms; one being a library and the second a large space for community meetings and activities.

Returning to Chang Mai the students will have a wonderful day with rescued elephants at a local sanctuary that takes in injured and abused animals and gives them a loving home.

Finally, the trip ends with a visit the bustling capital Bangkok, where we will explore the hidden sights of the Old Town of Bangkok as well as the well known cultural highlights.

This is a great adventure with a little bit of everything to keep the students engaged and excited for the duration!

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Chang Mai

Grading:Adventure touring

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Friday, 22 May 2020: Depart home city for Chiang Mai

After all the preparation and planning, your Thailand adventure the departure day has finally arrived. Today you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. Overnight at Imm Hotel or similar

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Saturday, 23 May 2020: Transfer to Community Project Site

This morning we will drive out to the project sight around an hour and a half from Chang Mai. On arrival we will settle into our guest house before we head to the project site where we will review the project goals, how it is helping the community, and a project safety orientation. Followed by lunch. In the afternoon we will have an introduction to permaculture and learn how to make natural yogurt and kombucha. This is followed on by a cooking class where we typically cook 3-4 dishes, green curry and papaya salad are always on the menu. Since the class is at a farm they usually go out to pick fresh ingredients. Following dinner we will makes seed bombs which are seeds wrapped in clay this way when it rains all the seeds don't get swept away. Seeds are chosen based on plants and trees that the local area needs and are easy to grow/propagate. We make them pre-bonfire so the clay can dry ready for use tomorrow. The bonfire is a chance for the students to reflect on the trip so far and learn more about the people of the local area. Overnight: Earth Home

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Sunday, 24 May 2020: Morning in Village, return to Chang Mai

The morning starts with some yoga and meditation to encourage mindfulness before we can then head off on a short hike to a local temple. During the hike we bring sling shots and launch the seed bombs we made the night before out into the jungle. It’s a great activity that is fun but also encourages us to consider our natural environment. Following lunch we will do a few hours of project work before returning to Chiang Mai. Overnight: Green Tiger House or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Monday, 25 May 2020: Elephant Day and team building

Today we spend most of the day at a local elephant sanctuary. It’s a day full of feeding, helping to prepare food, giving the elephants a mud bath, and the chance to interact and learn more about elephants! It’s a great day and this sanctuary provides excellent care for the elephants with no rides or shows. The owner of the sanctuary rescues elephants from the riding camps/logging work/ etc and once they’re at the sanctuary they get to just be elephants! This evening as our adventure in Thailand comes to a close we will play some games that reinforce the bonds we have built with each other over the past few days. Overnight: Green Tiger House or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Tuesday, 26 May 2020: Fly to Bangkok, Bangkok City Tour.

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival you will be met by your Bangkok city guide and we will commence a tour of this fascinating city. Visitors often see Bangkok as an enormous modern metropolis, full of expressways, massive department stores and skyscrapers. But there is a more hidden side, which clearly shows the origins of a people who still believe in traditions from years gone by. This morning you will be picked up by your guide at 07:00 to go on a special walking tour to explore the hidden sights of the Old Town of Bangkok. From the Giant Swing via the prison park we wander through small alleys, encounter wooden houses, guardian spirit signs, fresh markets and more. At the city pillar and amulet market you will learn more about the ancient superstitions. We will take lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we will make a short walk to visit the Grand Palace, the highlight of this mind-and-eye boggling palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew), the most revered shrine in the Kingdom. Located next to the Grand Palace, pay a visit to Wat Po, one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. The temple is the headquarters for the Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Bangkok. Overnight: Ibis Siam or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Wednesday, 27 May 2020: Depart Bangkok

This morning after breakfast it is time for us to return to Korea. You will be transferred to the airport where your trip comes to an end.

Meals: B

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.

Reduced Inequalities: To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.

Sustainable Cities And Communities: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young men and women to help them deal with adverse situations in life.
CARBON NEUTRAL
World Expeditions Schools absorbs the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions. This is our commitment to being part of the solution to climate crises.

Inclusions

What's included

4 nights hotel twin share
1 night guesthouse twin share
service learning project
cooking class
meals as per itinerary
sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
Expert English speaking tour guide(s)
Drinking water
medical kit

What's not included

airfares and departure taxes
travel Insurance (compulsory)
food, beverages and other sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary
expenditure of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry and souvenirs
tips and gratuities for guides

Grading

Adventure touring

These adventure tours will often involve long journeys and rough roads. To enjoy these adventures we suggest reasonable fitness and health, a moderately active lifestyle and have a positive attitude. Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

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School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

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Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

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