Thailand Summer High School Programs with Rustic Pathways

This past summer I went to Thailand with Rustic Pathways. It was a a little bit more than a two week program which combined teaching children english at Thai schools while helping create a foundation for a new kindergarten, as well as an elephant conservation program. Rustic was really good about making our accommodations nice as possible. The food that our chef, Chris, made for us as well as the students and families who lived at the base house was amazingly good. I was able to try so many new foods, including insanely flavorful fruit such as rambutan and mangosteen. During the first week of the program I was able to create really good friendships with not only the students who came to Thailand with Rustic, but the Thai locals as well. I really liked getting to engage with some of the Thai students who were around me age because I was able to get an insight on how life is in different parts of the world. Getting to hear various stories about little parts of different people's lives and how they got involved with rustic were some of the best stories I've ever heard in my life. Then the second part of the trip began and I got to go spend all of my time with elephants. I absolutely loved getting to learn more about how intelligent they really are. Elephants are so emotionally motivated, and they remember who humans are. Knowing that I could make an impact on these creatures lives was very special to me, and it changed my life forever.

Being able to travel so far alone made me feel independent and really helped me get ready for college and life away from my family. I was able to make decisions on my own and meet new people that have become lasting friends. Both years that I went on Rustic Trips my life was completely changed in so many different ways. The service I completed on these trips made me feel like I was making a difference even in the smallest of ways. Also, the kids I met warmed my heart and they are people that I still think about each and every single day. I also got to try amazing new experiences that I never would have been able to back home. Riding in songtails which are trucks with canopies in the back is one that I very vividly remember because of it fun

At 16 years old I wanted to travel, have an impact and experience the culture of other places. I was afraid of leaving the country for the first time by myself and not being safe. I found the rustic programs and was extremely excited to begin my rustic journey. Arriving at the airport I was scared about meeting people. Ten minutes after arriving all my fears disappeared. I met so many amazing people from all around the county and we instantly bounded. As we arrived in Thailand we were all amazed by the beautiful country. During the entire trip we were overwhelmed by the kindness that rustic staff and locals welcomed us with. It was also incredible to do service work in anitehr county. Volunteering within the states is very different. I felt like I was making more of an impact. Rustic pathways fouces on service projects that have lasting effects. Even after leaving the trip I know that the work I did will positively impact the community for years. Rustic pathways is an amazing way for kids to travel and learn. I would recommend rustic programs to everyone.

This was a unique experience because we stayed at a base house but I also had the opportunity to travel to Laos. This service-oriented trip was a truly culturally immersive experience. Throughout the two weeks we did service in the morning and the afternoon but in the night we went and explored all different parts of Udon Thani, for example, the night markets. The service for this trip was amazing! My personal favorite was teaching English and teaching swimming lessons because I truly love working with children. We also built a playground and a home. All of these experiences are incredibly rewarding and sparked a passion for service but also having some of the comforts of home like showers and electricity. But this service impression was amazing from activities that are not service and the food, and of course the service it was a trip that left me itching to do more traveling.

This past summer I went to Thailand with Rustic Pathways. I had no idea what to expect before I arrived. Rustic did a really good job introducing us to the culture of Thailand and showing us how to act respectfully in this foreign place. My job was to teach children English for the first week that I was there. The experience I had in the school was one of the best things I have ever felt. I had made a connection with the students I taught, and their teachers trusted me to teach their students. We learned to communicate through the language barrier. After the first week, we went to Sappraiwan Elephant Sanctuary. I had the pleasure to feed, walk and bathe an elephant that I was paired with. I learned so much about a very unique species. The local staff at the Sanctuary did an amazing job at explaining how they rescued the animals, and how they had to care for them based on where they came from. I learned so much about elephants, it was crazy! It was a surreal feeling, to find myself caring for these magnificent creatures. Not to mention, the friendships I made while in Thailand for two weeks were so special. I still talk to the people I met, whether that be from the US or Thailand.

My trip with rustic pathways to the ricefields base was absolutely incredible. It was an adventure of a lifetime and a trip that will forever stay with me. The base house was such a luxury place to stay, with good showers/bathrooms, beds and even air conditioning! The people who work at the base house were so incredibly kind and I grew very connected with much of the Thai staff who came on many of our adventures together. The service programs were oh so fun but also rewarding. We did lots of manual labor, which was a big workout and many of the service programs revolved around kids! My personal favorites were teaching kids how to swim at the basehouse and teaching them English during a class at their school. These kids were so bright and lively and brought lots of happiness to my heart. We had many hours of service but also many hours of fun! We really got to explore Udon Thani with a tour of the amazing city and we also did lots of fun activities such as going bowling, to the mall, waterpark and the night markets. The food was also so tasty here, probably some of the best I have had. They always provided us with delicious meals and tropical fruit, and I loved any meal time since I got to enjoy the food with my friends. One of my favorite parts of this trip was the people I met here. These teens from all over the globe and states were so kind hearted and adventurous and I grew so close to all of them. This program let us have free time and I felt like I really got to know all of my fellow group members. It was the hardest thing to say goodbye to them, but I know that we will all forever cherish our time together in the most incredible place. I cannot reccomend this program enough! Please come to the land of smiles with rustic pathways to experience this adventure of a lifetime for yourself! Here more about my experience on my personal blog: https://littlelinnbigworld.wordpress.com/2018/07/10/travels-to-thailand/

My trip to Thailand is something that I will never forget. The Land of Smiles is truly that. The smiling Thai people are the most amazing, kind hearted and fun people I have ever met.

I have had the pleasure of traveling to many places in the world with my family but Rustic Pathways gave me the ability to see places and experience things my parents wouldn't have been able to find. It is a different kind of trip when you travel with Rustic. During my trip we traveled around to different cities. Some of my favorite experiences from this trip were riding on an elephant, swimming in a beautiful waterfall, seeing Muay Thai fighting, and staying in a treehouse. These experiences were unique to Rustic Pathways trips and helped to learn about the culture of Thailand.

The group leaders consisted of people native to Thailand and other leaders from around the world. The leaders were connecting with the kids like they were one of us. During car rides everyone would we talking, laughing, singing, and telling jokes and riddles.

My group and I became a super tight knit group and cried when we had to part ways at the end. I still talk to my group of kids and even making plans to hang out with them! I was lucky to have such an amazing experience with Rustic Pathways and can't wait for my next trip!

I had the most amazing time on my trip to Thailand this summer. We stayed at the Rustic Pathways Children’s Home, where students can stay if they don’t live close to good education. In Thailand, we spent time teaching English at local schools and workingg to build new classrooms. I think one of my favorite parts of the program was meeting my Thai buddy. Upon arrival, I got paired with a Thai student staying at the children’s home to talk to and show me around. We became friends quickly and still talk today. My experience in Thailand was incredible and I couldn’t recommend it more.