Description

From the canals of Bangkok and nearby floating markets, to magnificent stone ruins and truly spectacular temples in Ayutthaya, and on through the limestone islands and Phagna Bay in the southern province of Krabi we experience it all! Rewarding community service experiences with children deepen our understanding and relationship with our hosts as we learn about this nation and are won over by the hearts of its people.

Highlights

* Adventure

- Bamboo rafting Mae Kok River
- Waterfall hike & zip line adventure
- Kayaking Phagna Bay
- Muay Thai kickboxing class
- SCUBA diving and snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi
- Bike Tour of Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya

* Touring Highlights

- Golden Triangle boat trip
- Impressive Bangkok sites including the Erewan Shrine, Golden Mount, Grand Palace and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)
- Floating markets and mangrove forests
- UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Ayutthaya
- Rice farming and Lahu village cultural exchange
- Boat cruise on the Chao Phrya River

* Community Service

- Chiang Rai Special School
Beautify their classrooms or dorms by painting and designing murals or building a playground.
Establish special connections with the students as we stage our own Fun Fair and Mini Olympics
- Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation
Assist in a fascinating behavioral study on elephants
Learn to feed, bathe, and care for your own elephant with a mahout (trainer)
- Lahu Tribal Village and Community
Build a welcome center for local families
- Mae Salak School
Teach English to Thai children at a small local school
- Mangrove Plantation Project
Plant and clean up mangroves to help sustain this important ecosystem

* Bangkok - Adventure & Touring Highlights

After a warm welcome greeting and orientation to Thai customs, we experience this intriguing city with multiple modes of transport - by elevated Sky train, canal boat, three wheeled tuk-tuk and longtail boat. As we take in the major sights including Erewan Shrine, Golden Mount, Grand Palace and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), its people continue to amaze you with their warmth. South of the city, we venture to the wetlands where we explore canal communities and the floating markets and learn about initiatives to rehabilitate the mangrove forests and maintain their traditional way of life. Be amazed by the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Ayutthaya on our biking tour to see the stunning temples in the former capital of Thailand.

* Chiang Rai - Service Partners and Projects

The Chiang Rai Special School is devoted to providing housing and education for more than 400 children from northern Thailand living with autism and other mental disabilities. We help to beautify their classrooms or dorms by painting and designing murals or building a playground. We bring many smiles and establish special connections with the students as we stage our own Fun Fair and Mini Olympics. You will surely be enriched.

* Chiang Rai - Adventure Highlights

Take a long tail boat through the countryside to Ban Ruammitt, a hill tribe elephant camp, where we'll embark on an elephant ride through the countryside and rice fields. In Chiang Rai city, we visit the Night Bazaar and Wat Rong Kuhn, and enjoy a well deserved Thai massage.

* Golden Triangle Service Partners and Projects

Assist in a fascinating behavioral study on elephants by collecting data, helping with intelligence experiments and getting up-close and personal with these amazing animals. Working with your own mahout (trainer) you will learn to feed, bathe, and care for your elephant.

* Golden Triangle Adventure Highlights

Travel by boat down the Mekong River to what is known as the Golden Triangle at the junction of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. The interactive museum engages us in the history of the area.

* Mae Salak - Service Partners and Projects

The service work we perform in a hill tribe village further develops our cross cultural experience. We help build a welcome center for local families to have a place to read, gather and to display their crafts to tourists who come to see their way of life. We will also teach English to Thai children at a small local school - an experience that is sure to leave us with many new little friends.

* Mae Salak - Adventure Highlights

Construct bamboo rafts and float down the Mae Kok River. Work hand in hand with the community members of Lahu Village to rice farm and then make a traditional Thai lunch from scratch.

* Chiang Mai - Adventure Highlights

Get ready for what is no ordinary zip line! From multiple platforms, and with diverse experiences, zip from tree to tree with spectacular views of one of the province's oldest forests. Relax and unwind with a waterfall swim. Discovery the region's beauty and history as we bicycle to the old city and some of its most famous temples (including Doi Suthep) before a fully involved learning experience of the country's national sport, Thai kickboxing. Learn how to cook traditional dishes and of course, enjoy the feast at our very own Thai cooking school.

* Krabi - Service Partners and Projects

Venture down small rivers and tributaries to learn firsthand about the mangroves - trees that line the coastal areas of Thailand. We join the increasing efforts to clean up and plant mangroves to help sustain this important ecosystem.

* Krabi - Adventure Highlights

Kayak by stunning limestone islands in Phagna Bay. In Koh Phi Phi, whether you choose to snorkel or SCUBA dive in the emerald waters of this paradise, you will see exotic fish, sea turtles and coral. Enjoy a second snorkeling opportunity at Chicken Island and chilling on the beach at Railay Bay.

* Bangkok

We fly back to Bangkok where it all began and enjoy a boat cruise on the Chao Phrya River through the small canals of Bangkok Noi (Little Bangkok). At our farewell dinner, there is much laughter as we reminisce and reflect on all we have learned, seen, tasted and experienced. After our time with the friendly Thai people, we understand why it is called "Land of the Smiles"!

Travel Types

• Cycling (Road/Touring)
• Heritage Tourism
• Kayaking (River)
• Martial Arts
• Rafting
• Scuba
• Snorkeling
• Water Skiing

Qualifications

Participants on our community service programs should be prepared to work as a team. You are committing yourself not only to hard work on service days (from 6-8 hours) but also to your fellow volunteers and those we will be assisting. In sharing this rewarding experience, you are guaranteed to form lasting friendships and will no doubt take away much more than you give. You will receive a certificate of completion recognizing 30-80 hours (depending on the program) of service and listing projects accomplished.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• High School Study Abroad
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

5,399

Program Fees Include:

Plus airfare to and from Bangkok

- Accommodations: All Hotels & Lodges
- Everybody participates together in each project.
- A certificate of completion recognizing 50 hours of service and a list of projects accomplished is issued after the trip.
- Participants have the choice to earn 3 University credits by choosing the "Explorations in Service Learning" course option. The course connects our hands-on service experience with academic reflection. College credit is through the University of Southern Mississippi and is transferable to many colleges and Universities. There is a $550 fee for the credit option.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

360 Student Travel's Mission Statement

360 Student Travel will allow you the opportunity to step in a new direction. Travel, volunteer, or improve your foreign language skills we are here to help you take that new step by helping you keep your other foot planted. Regardless of travel style, all programs are created with the understanding that no matter what you want to accomplish during the summer, it is still summer, and the challenges and experiences should be enjoyable as well as rewarding. On our Community Service Program you'll be making the world a better place and discovering the world at the same time - ziplining in Costa Rica, exploring a glacier in Alaska, or marveling at the "Big 5" in Africa. If you're open-minded and interested in achieving goals, volunteering, and helping others, then this will be a meaningful and adventurous summer for you. If you're thinking of studying Spanish or French and want the excitment of travel join us in either Spain, Costa Rica or France. On most of these language programs, we study at multiple locations within a country so you experience its full diversity. On our Pre-College Enrichment program get a sneak peek at college life while being immersed in the culture and excitement of Barcelona. We have teamed up with the renowned International House School, centrally located just steps from Plaza Cataluna, to bring you exciting courses from Creative Writing and International Business to Spanish Language, and SAT prep with Princeton Review. Join us on our Global Adventures if adventures are for you. We offer the most unique variety of activities imaginable that encourage individual growth and character.

Year Founded

1982