Laos, Thailand, & Cambodia: From Hidden Kingdom to the Temples of Angkor High School Summer Program
- Laos
- Thailand
- Cambodia
About Program
Discover the historic, economic, environmental, and cultural mosaic of Laos, Thailand and Cambodia by exploring the communities and landscapes along the upper stretches of the Mekong River.
From the Tibetan Plateau, the mighty Mekong River courses through gorges and mega-dams within the Himalayas, gradually widening into the tropical rainforests of Laos.From the base of the sacred Kawagebo Mountain the mighty Mekong River courses through the gorges and mega-dams, gradually widening into the tropical rainforests of Laos and floodplains of Thailand and Cambodia.
The Laos, Thailand and Cambodia “Mekong” 6-week Summer program splits time between the three countries as we explore the diverse landscapes, spiritual traditions, and critical issues connected to life along the Mekong River.
Video and Photos
Diversity & Inclusion
BIPOC Support
LGBTQIA+ Support
In some cases, students may be advised not to speak about their sexual orientations and/or gender identities with local contacts (such as homestay families, ISP mentors, language teachers, and guest speakers) due to safety concerns. Likewise, transgender and non-binary students may have to choose to present outwardly as male or female in certain contexts during the program. In other cases, “coming out” to some or all host community members may be a safe choice.
Neurodivergent Support
Accessibility Support
Impact
Sustainability
Ethical Impact
Learning Service is a holistic experience that combines an intimate and authentic engagement with the local community, the study of effective development, and the contribution to an established community-driven project. It is the process of living, working alongside, and humbly absorbing the culture of those being served while coordinating closely with project managers to understand the trajectory of the project, from inception to completion and beyond. It is an acknowledgment that often it is the volunteer who stands to gain as much or more from the work. And it is a commitment to making contributions that create positive impacts in the communities coupled with the humility to always listen and learn first.
Program Highlights
- Meet with local artists and take part in traditional Hmong weaving or Kmhmu Bamboo Weaving class at The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to understand the fascinating and rich ethnic diversity in
- Experience the difference in daily life in two rural homestays in Laos and Thailand and visit hidden caves and aqua blue lagoons in the lower Mekong.
- Speak with environmental activists and community members to learn about the disastrous ecological and social impacts of large-scale hydropower dams along the Mekong River and beyond.
- Understand the impact of the USA’s Secret War in Laos, where the US dropped more bombs than all of the Allied Forces in WW1 and WW2 combined.
- Meet Khmer Rouge survivors in Phnom Penh, whose harrowing stories and resilience will humble and inspire you.
Scholarships
Where There Be Dragons Financial Aid & 529 Funds
Where There Be Dragons offers need-based financial aid to students that demonstrate reasonable financial need and are excited to engage with communities around the world.