Thailand: Elephant & Education Initiative

When I first heard about GLA, it felt like a dream—traveling abroad to volunteer with a group of teens sounded exciting, but I was nervous since I’d never traveled alone before. I signed up for the Elephant and Education program in Thailand, unsure of what to expect but ready to face my fears and make new connections.

Saying goodbye to my parents at the airport made the reality of my adventure sink in. On my layover in Korea, I met another GLA student, and our conversation calmed my nerves. By the time we arrived in Thailand, I was excited, though still worried about fitting in.

As we entered the dining room, I felt unsure if anyone would want to be friends. Just as I was about to gather my courage, a friendly girl introduced herself and brought me into the group. Soon, I was playing cards with new friends, feeling welcome and confident. By the end of the first few days, I had formed deep connections with the group.

The community service was fulfilling—we learned about elephants, fed and bathed them, and worked on the sanctuary grounds. I’d never been so close to elephants before, and the experience gave me a new appreciation for them. We also taught English at a local Thai elementary school. Teaching kids who didn’t speak our language was challenging, but we used games, pictures, and videos to make lessons fun and engaging. Despite the language barrier, we formed bonds with the students, which made me reflect on my own privilege.

The trip taught me a lot about leadership, self-confidence, and respect. When it was time to leave, I was sad to say goodbye to the students, especially after they gave us heartfelt cards and gifts. Their emotional farewell showed me how much of an impact we had on their lives.

By the end of the trip, I returned home with a new perspective on myself and the world. GLA helped me grow as a person, gave me more confidence, and taught me the value of being part of a community. I now have friends from around the world and know that stepping out of my comfort zone can lead to life-changing experiences. I highly recommend GLA to any teen—it offers incredible opportunities for independence, self-discovery, and growth.

Our experience with Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) was a 10 out 10. We were nervous to send our 16 yr old daughter across the world on her own for the very first time, but the GLA team was so well prepared, the programs so thoroughly planned and their excellent communication, made the process easy to trust. The Thailand Elephant Initiative was a perfect balance between educational activities, cultural immersion, and community service.
Our daughter had an incredible experience – she loved her time teaching 5th graders English, working with elephants and getting the chance to learn more about how to care for and feed them. She came home with some new friends, great memories, and plans to meet up with them for another program next summer.
What an amazing opportunity for teens! We highly recommend GLA to other families seeking meaningful and impactful travel experiences for their children.

I loved GLA program and I loved Thailand. I went two years ago and on another program now because I’m not in high school anymore and I wish GLA wasn’t only to high schoolers because it was the best two weeks. They had a schedule and followed it, you were never bored although there was designated down time to relax and chat. It is expensive yes, but 100% worth it for what it provides. I liked how it was both touristy but we did volunteering like it wasn’t just one or another. If you went on this trip, you will be able to explore Thailand. They make sure you can. With volunteering, it was fun and educating and hard but worth the trouble. I made friends for life that I still speak to today, two years later. I wish I did the three weeks but I got so much out even just two weeks.

Hi all! I am a Global Leadership Adventures Alumni and I had an amazing time in Peru, Ghana and Thailand with GLA! I really recommend GLA! The housing experience was great! GLA Peru rented out a hotel in Cusco, for both the 2 week and the 3 week groups. In Ghana we all stayed in a house together and in Thailand we also had a hotel! I felt very safe there! I had never been to Peru, Ghana or Thailand, so I felt that by being there I grew, a lot! I understood much of their culture and what their lifestyles are like. The program staff were very supportive! I felt that I was able to talk to them about whatever I needed, or if I was frustrated with other students! Overall I recommend GLA to all High School age students

Global Leadership Adventures does the best high school volunteer trips hands down. From their staff to their housing everything is so well done! I got to experience life on the other side of the world and come home to apply what I learned into my daily routine. I participated in the Cultural Kaleidoscope program that worked in Thai classrooms to teach English. Even though there was a language barrier I felt empowered by my students and could see the impact I had made. Away from service work, I got the opportunity to be immersed in local culture-my favorite part of Global Leadership Adventures. We got to learn about local history, Buddhist religion, and the poverty issues Thailand faces. I can also now say I have ridden an elephant! How cool is that?!? If you are looking for a trip of a lifetime, a trip to Chiang Mai might just be the one for you!

I went on Global Leadership Adventures elephant conservation program this past summer and it was an amazing experience. first let's talk about the food because it was amazing, both the food we ate at home base and the restaurants we were taken to had amazing food. I learned so much on this trip, learning the truth behind elephant tourism in thailand was eye opening and it is an issue that need to be addressed by more people. The community service is demanding and consists of a lot of hiking but it was a rewarding experience at the end of the day, and the mentors and other students make it very fun. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in doing service centered around these amazing animals and/or looking for an unforgettable experience.

This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to participate in one of Global Leadership Adventures' (GLA) Thailand service trips! I went for two weeks to Chiang Man, in northern Thailand, and created lesson plans and later executed them to teach English in public primary schools. Being able to see thoughts and plans become a reality, while also helping expose children to a new language helped create a strong bond and an experience that can only be understood by doing it. There's a lot of service but it's balanced with fun and cultural immersion. We visit temples and markets, meets monks, eat delicious new food, and interact with people, and animals, that you've never met before! The program directors do a great job of prioritizing the service but making it fun also. Every part of the experience has helped me grow, from fundraising to traveling internationally alone to immersing myself across the world. I hope everyone who wants to can have this adventure!

My son had an amazing experience with GLA. The support was wonderful, the travel was easy, and the group was a perfect size for getting to know each other in a real way. Nice mix of fun and service. Highly recommend. The flagship program gave them an opportunity to interact with kids and teach in the elementary school, pour a sidewalk at a shelter, and spend time with monks at the temples. I would recommend booking travel with the suggested travel partner, and GLA posts a roster of people going and where they are coming from. The kids met at the hub airport (New York or LA) and went to Hong Kong and then Chang Mai. Well run program! The group still keeps in touch now and is planning to get together over the holidays.