Thailand Summer High School Programs with Rustic Pathways

My daughter who is 16 years old and the third one of our children to do a Rustic Pathways trip when they turn 16. She thought the kind people, fun staff, learning about Thai culture and Budism were highlights in her 2 week Thailand adventure. Waking up in the morning to go and take of your elephant and the other students she became close with will provide lasting memories.

I left for Thailand with a duffel bag of clothing and return plane ticket for a week later. When I arrived at the Ricefields Base, I knew that neither one of those was going to be enough. I set aside some money for laundry, and called my mom to let her know that I needed to be in Thailand for not one week, but two.
I made that call to my mom only 3 days after I got to Ricefields. In just 3 days, I had fallen in love with the Base, with my new friends, with the entire rustic staff, and of course, with Thailand. After we set up my extension, I was off to Bangkok on a side trip with some of my new friends. Little did I know, that side trip would bring me so close to them that I would be buying plane tickets to New York to visit them when I got home. When I parted ways with my friends in the Bangkok airport, I cried until after I got on the plane alone. Then I opened up my envelope of notes that they had written to me the night before and cried again. Sincerest apologies to the flight attendant that had to keep bringing me tissues.
I only spent 2 weeks in Thailand, but it felt like 3 months, and honestly, it wasn't quite long enough. I completed 4 different community service projects, and received my Wilderness First Aid Certification, and I still feel like there's more that I could have done.
In the end, it's good to be home and eating something other than the amazing Thai food from base (a white girl misses her Starbucks!), but next summer, my friends from Bangkok and I will be running wild in Cuba, making more memories together, and falling in love with Rustic Pathways just a little bit more.

We taught English, carried endless buckets of cement and dirt, ate the strangest of fruits, but most important of all we were engulfed into a new world. Thailand's world along with the Burmese one. My perspective and outlook on life changed. I realized that I should be more grateful for the easy life I have led, that I should appreciate technology much more, and that people no matter how different are still the same and can still laugh together.

When I went to Thailand I was very scared because I knew no one. As I arrived on a Son-thaow I was welcomed with open-arms. All the staff were so kind and the Burmese staff make the trip. Day-to-day we work hard with having AM and PM services which range from 2-3 hours per shift. Every service project has a purpose to improve the lives of the Thai people whether its teaching them english or making them lunches. Being on a base camp makes you feel very safe and at home. I shared a room with 6 Girls which is an experience of its own. Throughout my trip I made amazing friends and amazing experiences. I highly recommend traveling with Rustic Pathways.

I went on my first rustic pathway trip as a senior in high school and it was the most eyeopening thing I could ever do. I ended up changing my major in college and am now looking for more opportunities like these to participate in in the future. Their staff is friendly and made me feel safe and that I was actually making a difference, while having loads of fun at the same time. It might be a bit on the pricey side but it is definitely worth it. Wish I was able to attend more of these trips before college.

My time in Thailand with Rustic was unforgettable. It was my first time out of the states ever. I felt incredibly safe and immersed in the culture all at the same time during my entire trip. Every day I learned something new or had a new interaction with a local or elephant. I got to go to the children's home, teach at locals schools, visit a refugee camp, go white water rafting, try new food, go to an elephant retreat, visit local markets, learn to make bamboo products, weaving, learn Thai culture, and so much more. I can't explain how much this trip has impacted my life and the way I see the world.

This summer I did three programs with Rustic Pathways in Thailand. I started off with Island Hopping and Diving, then I did Intro to Community Service, then I did the Wilderness First Responder Course. In total, I spent a total of five weeks in Thailand with Rustic. It was by far the best summer of my life. The staff, the other students, and the activities were all amazing. Island Hopping and Diving was the perfect adventure trip and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an adrenaline trip. For the last two programs I spent my time at the Ricefields base. The Ricefields base was amazing to say the least the service projects are not only meaningful but they are also fun and everyone their makes you feel at home. There is a cafe there run by Burmese staff and they are the most amazing people you will ever meet. Durning my stay at the Ricefields I got sick and ended up spending the night at the hospital (it was very nice). There was staff with me the whole time and everyone at Ricefields even signed a get well card for me. I am already planning my next sumer with rustic and I am even trying to go back to the Ricefields base. I would honestly recommend rustic to anyone.

The Ricefields Base and the classroom facilities for my program was absolutely great. I was definitely never hungry as there was always snacks provided. The itinerary was also contained a good balance of learning, service, and free time. Finally, the staff were extremely friendly, especially the Burmese staff.