Description

It's not a joke. If you come, you can only bring one carry-on. Pack one change of clothing, necessary hygiene items and medicines, and no more than five THINGS you feel might be important during your trip. THINGS might include a camera, a notebook, a tape recorder, or a book - it's up to you. Just leave all unnecessary THINGS at home.

A Brand New Wardrobe
When you get to Thailand, you'll be given a locally made backpack and USD 50 to buy clothing for the next three weeks. You'll be surprised how much this buys at the local market. You may also be surprised that many families in villages around the world live on less than USD 50 per month.

Dirt Roads, Tiny Little Dots
You're heading to three very small, rural villages situated along Thailand's western frontier. These are the tiny little dots you see on maps. In fact, most of these villages don't even have dots. They do have families, houses (or huts), and children, along with little schools, a few Buddhist monks, and a year-round water source.
You'll step back in time and discover what it is like to live in a small village far away from the influences of modern society. Your leaders will arrange clean food and water but expect living conditions to be very rustic and humble. People here don't have many things, and students find it refreshing to discover their sincere approach to life and to spend time with these close-knit families. After just a few days, you will find that you have left the world you know behind. You will soon begin to groove to an entirely different beat here in the mountains of Southeast Asia.

Travel With Friends, Not Things
Rustic Pathways has friends in these villages, so you won't be a stranger. In fact, you'll be welcomed like family. We've been down the dirt tracks that lead to these places, and we've asked the villagers if you could visit. We told them you would like to stay for a week, get to know them, and help out around the village. Yes! they all said. They spoke at length about where you'll sleep comfortably and how excited the children will be to meet you. They're expecting you.

Live Like a Villager
You'll spend about five days in each village, living and working alongside the villagers. You'll meet with government officials, local NGOs, village leaders, and respected elders along the way to give you insight into the needs of the area. Come With Nothing, Go Home Rich in Thailand will introduce you to life along the country's diverse western border and to how the political situation in Burma has forced generations of people to seek better lives here in Thailand. As you travel, you will reflect on what you have seen and heard, assess the needs of these villages, and work on both short-term and long-term sustainable service initiatives that you design. This means making a plan, gathering materials, working within a budget, and setting a timeframe to complete the project. You will then work with the villagers and your leaders to put your plan into action. Build lifelong friendships in the villages where you work, and develop skills that will help you organize service projects back at home.

Go Home Rich
This trip has a way of leaving lasting impressions and positive memories with students and villagers alike. You will likely go home inspired, with a desire to continue service long after you have left this program. The villagers will also be left with wonderful memories, and they will be grateful for all of the hard work and dedication you have put into these projects.

If you're ready to dive into traditional indigenous life in the mountains of Thailand, Come With Nothing is for you. You'll return home much richer than you arrived and if you've used your heart and your head well, you will have given something substantial to three villages. You will not only go home a richer person, but by doing your small part you will have made this world a richer place. You'll never forget this trip!

Want to continue your summer adventure? This trip connects to our other great programs in Southeast Asia, China and India.

Highlights

COME WITH NOTHING! Bring only one change of clothing and buy the rest of your wardrobe in local Thai markets.

TRAVEL to three rural villages in along Thailand's western frontier and live with traditional villagers in these rarely visited places.

DESIGN service projects that will directly impact the lives of your new tribal friends in remote areas of Thailand.

SHARE your service adventure with like-minded peers who are also dedicated to community service.

GO HOME RICH! Expect to leave richer in spirit and to understand more about yourself and your world at the conclusion of this life-changing service program.

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English
• Thai

Cost in US$:

USD 3,695 + 235 Internal Airfare

Cost Includes:

• Travel while in host country
• Housing
• Food
• Excursions
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as "optional".

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-15 students

Scholarships are Available

Scholarships are available annually for students interested in Rustic Pathways programs on an application basis. The scholarships are for all Rustic Pathways programs across the world and not only for this particular program. Applications for scholarships are available starting in late January or early February for students and interested parties should contact Rustic Pathways directly to learn how to apply.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983