Thailand Gap Year Volunteering 101 with Loop Abroad

Thailand 101 equaled to be the best two weeks of my life! From the beginning of applying to saying our sad goodbyes at the airport, I have never been affected by so many things in my life, in just a short period of time. So far everyday after coming back from Thailand I have found myself daydreaming about my experiences and how badly I want to go back.

Going to Thailand would never be the same without Loop Abroad though! I applied really late to the program, but when I contacted them they went out of their way to make the application process as smooth and easy as possible. Especially being from Canada it could have been so much more complicated, but they were there every step of the way. They helped me get set up with other girls that needed to stay in New York for the night and already it was so incredibly easy to make friends there! Almost everyone there doesn’t know anybody and are very keen to make friends.

In fact the girls that are were with me in my Thailand 101 group are some of the best friends I have ever had in my life. I have never connected so easily and so quickly to people before! These girls are quality friends and will be dear to my heart forever and some of us even have plans to travel together for the following year. Besides the immediate people in my group, all of the staff was absolutely incredible! They invested everything that they could for us and did their best to make sure that we had the safest but most incredible journey. As soon as we showed genuine interest in the trip they would go out of their way to help us experience and learn as much as we could.

Another thing that was amazing about the trip was the food! Thai food is absolutely incredible and your leaders will take you to the best places! The Elephant Nature Park has a lot of food as well, but it isn’t usually people’s top choice as it is vegetarian and didn’t always taste the best. I found it helpful saving a bit of money for the Elephant Nature Park to be able to buy some American snacks.

Throughout the trip we were never bored! There were always so many activities to do. Our leaders took us to the waterfalls, zip-lining and hiking through the jungle, white water rafting, visiting different temples, meditation classes, shopping in the markets, taking a Thai cooking course, etc. We were always having so much fun!

The elephant nature park was a different vibe completely though! There were so many things to do all of the time, but we had a lot more relax time and it was the perfect way to finish off the two weeks and really reflect. Our breaks could never come at a better time though! While we were at the Elephant Nature Park we worked incredibly hard to help out. It was some of the hardest work I have ever done, but was very rewarding to see how it helped. We were always very proud of our work after!
Tip: Drink tons of water throughout the day!

Since our days were so busy and packed full of different activities, we would come back to where we were staying very exhausted. Luckily our accommodations Loop Abroad set up for us were far better than what I expected. The hostel we stayed at in our first week was very quaint and comfortable. Adjusting to the heat and humidity can be very hard at first so the air-conditioning during our breaks in the day and at night going to sleep came at the perfect timing. In-between Chiang Mai and the Elephant Nature Park we stayed in a really nice, air-conditioned hotel.

Once we arrived at the Elephant Nature Park I was dreadfully picturing little huts crawling in bugs and mosquitoes. Thankfully to my surprise we stayed in types of cabins with very pretty mosquito nets wrapped around our beds and I was never more thankful for them!

Overall this trip was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life and completely changed me for the better. I could not thank Loop Abroad enough and for the life-long friends I have made for making this the most incredible experience and journey ever! If you are looking for change and adventure then you should definitely sign up for this. You won’t regret it!

My experience with the Thai 101 program was one of the most memorable and life changing experiences. I cannot recommend the staff. They always made sure my group was comfortable, felt safe, and had what we needed. I felt like I was at home with family. Adam and Jane work to be experts in regards to their Thailand program along with the rest of their staff. I even remember feeling like Adam was really like a family member, mostly because he would lend me money when I needed it haha. There is also a lot of incredible knowledge thrown at you about the city of Chiang Mai, it's markets, its temples, and its people. We spent an entire week volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park and that is an experience I continue to talk about everyday, and keep very dear to my heart. I've in written two public speech about ENP and their story. Great Staff. Great Activities. And I felt like I received more than what I paid for. I cannot recommend Loop and their staff enough. They continue to stay in touch to this day with resources, e-mails, opportunities, and support.

Every day while in Thailand I found something new to fall in love with. Whether it be a dog on the street, a delightful coffee house, or a person leading their daily routine in life. You get a sense of realization at how beautiful everything is in its own state. There was so much to learn and grasp about the land and the animals and the way life went on on this side of the world. One thing that changed my sight was being with freed elephants, and seeing them glow and radiate happiness. I shared happiness with an elephant.

i HAD AN AMAZING TIME EXPLORING tHAILAND THIS SUMMER. mY MOST MEMORABLE STORY WAS WHEN WE WERE OBSERVING THE eLIPHANTS IN THE FIELD. wE HAD BEEN WATCHING THE BABY ELIPHANT INTERACT WITH HIS NANNIES FOR ABOUT 20-25 MINUTES. He began to get real frisky towards the end and decided he wanted to play with us. the nannies freaked out and sure enough we were running from a group of angry Eliphant Nannies. it was a blast!

First off I want to say this was my first experience traveling overseas and it couldn't have gone much smoother! I signed up for the Thailand 101 experience last minute and the staff was extremely encouraging and helpful, from the application process to helping me get to New York for departure all the way to the return flight home. The entire duration of the trip the staff was very comforting, concerned and helpful. Our adventure was filled to the brim with amazing experiences you would have a hard time arranging by yourself, the best part was waking up to elephants the whole first week of the trip! From outdoor markets, tantalizing foods, zip lining and touring jaw dropping temples, Thailand warmed my heart with sights, smells and feelings I will never forget. If you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself, help the cause and be around people that want the same Loop Abroad is undoubtedly the way to go!

Thailand 101 was an amazing experience to go on. I met so many people that will be friends for life. This trip is great for anyone who loves to travel and loves animals. I would recommend this trip for any college student, you will learn so much.

I have always dreamed of studying abroad and honestly, Loop Abroad exceeded my expectations. Not only did they provide me with a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it was a blast and worth every penny. The Elephant Nature Park is such an amazing place, and I think anyone who has a passion for animals should go there at least once. With Loop Abroad you get an entire week there with experiences not everyone gets to do. Not only that, but you get a second week exploring the city of Chiang Mai, which is gorgeous and full of unique experiences. I'm very happy I was able to learn about Thai culture through this program. The staff is exceptional and they make the program that much more fun. I would recommend this program to anyone who loves animals, and who has a strong desire to get the most out of studying abroad.