High School Experiential Learning Programs in Bangkok

I love MEI. I could go on for hours about how truly amazing my time with them has been. I will always be a fan of theirs and will always recommend who I can to go on one of their adventures. I was lucky enough to go on two separate summer trips. I did adventure down under in 2016 And international Business in 2017 or 2018. I have always struggled with some aspects of school and was nervous about attempting university-level courses while being abroad as I did not usually take university-level classes but I found it easy not because it was easy but because of how it was taught. I’ve never liked English as I’m a creative person and I’ve never seen English as anything but essay writing. On my first trip on Mei, I loved English. for the first time in my life, I understood so much of a subject I never felt I knew before. The teaching approach was amazing and engaging. I wish all schools taught how they did. Besides great teaching, the programs are set up amazingly where you truly get to experience being on your own (in groups of three) and build your independence abroad. I feel if I went back to the places I’ve travelled that I would be confident in knowing my way around because of the independence I gained with Mei. The teachers down to the people in the office are amazing. A helpful group of friendly people. I had a few teachers between both trips who were so great but one teacher who stuck with me through it all was Simon. Simon is awesome and is someone I grew a connection too. He can be your teacher and friend all at once. He is someone I will always remember. Also if you do require any extra help or accommodations they are very helpful! I have ADHD and a learning disability and I always felt I had help when I needed it. If you are thinking of sending your child away on Mei do it!! It will impact them in the best way possible & give them so many memories and Friendships. I still talk to a good handful of people from my trips to this day who I make sure I see at least once a year. If I could of paused time and stayed in high school just so I could go on more adventures with MEI I would

This experience was incredible for our son. It really was life changing for him and I highly recommend this experience for anyone with a high school aged child. MEI is an incredible school and we appreciate everything they have done for our family immensely.

Our family would highly recommend MEI International Academy. Several of our family members have joined with MEI over the years since 1999, and the MEI family of educators are second to none. Most recently, we aimed to send our Gr.12 daughter but travel was hindered by COVID-19. Without missing a beat, MEI staff arranged for engaged online learning, which allowed for the children to receive their credits without compromising the integrity of the education they received. While learning from home was not the plan, MEI sought to engage the children and took care to support them through a difficult time. Student safety and wellbeing never wavered from the primary objective of the staff. Knowing this, gives me the confidence as a parent to trust them with my child. When it's safe to travel, we look forward to our daughter heading out to complete the second leg of her MEI journey to see the world. Thank you to Joe & Rita Mei for all your hard work and dedication, and to your staff for working so hard to support the kids through their learning experience.

This trip was the best experience of my life. I have never felt so immersed and interested in what I was learning. Having the opportunity to be in the exact locations that the information I was learning about took place made it so engaging. The teaching is amazing and cant compare to being in a regular classroom. I felt challenged in my school work and my views on the world and was able to change so much in just three months. My favourite part of MEI is the people you meet. The friends I made on this trip are my family. It's been over two years since I have seen most of them but we still all keep in touch. Everyday is a new and incredible experience and I cannot recommend this trip enough. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about it and miss it so much. 110% Recommend!!!

I could not recommend MEI enough. It’s such an incredible growth experience in all aspects of life. You meet AMAZING people, are guided by incredibly passionate teachers and are shown a different way to learn and view our world. I have to say that the biggest thing I gained from that experience was a totally new perspective and appreciation for education. The way the subjects are taught along with the inspirational teachers and destinations make you so excited to attend lessons. You learn to view the world and the people around you in a different way that lights a real and exciting spark of life long curiosity inside you. I didn’t think that feeling was even possible in high school. Still today I carry the lessons I learned. I’m now in university and notice myself using the thinking skills I gained from MEI in my classes. I also still talk to and meet up with the friends I made there who are some of my best friends. I’ll never forget that life changing year!

Attending this trip was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. MEI had the best locations and had exceptional teachers that delivered an unforgettable experience.The one thing that separates MEI from other programs is the ability to create a family during this short period of time. I’ve met some of my best friends through this trip and created life long memories that I could never forget.

My time traveling through South East Asia with MEI was extremely transformative and inspiring to say the least. I have never met such attentive and invested teachers who teach through engaging and passionate narratives and lessons. I felt the perfect balance of being challenged in my ideas and pushed in my learning, yet having the freedom to be curious and experimental in my work while simultaneously developing the tools for success. I got to see things I could only dream about previously: The beautiful temples of Angkor Wat and the booming Pub Street in Siem Reap, war tunnels, breathtaking beaches, and cafes in Vietnam, a huge gold reclining Buddha statue in Thailand, and so much more that I treasure to this day. The social environment created by MEI is not one of a typical high school. MEI preaches inclusivity and family-like bonds in every moment. Because of this, I met my very best friends and formed bonds that have lasted far past the trip itself. I know now, thanks to MEI, that traveling and attaining holistic knowledge about the world is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Thailand! This was my first time traveling to Asia and if i'm being honest I was quite nervous, but TFT did an amazing job of making me feel welcome and showing me so many amazing things I will never forget. The bonds I made with campers on the trip will last for a lifetime and we are even talking about having a meet up in December! The counselors were very nice and were very helpful in helping us navigate the markets and getting us to excursions on time. Overall the trip was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have the trip of a lifetime!

Traveling to Thailand with Travel For Teens was a once in a life time experience that I will never forget. It was very culturally enriching as the group toured various Buddhist temples and learned about the religion. The food was incredible and we got to take several cooking classes cooking delicious traditional meals. There was incredible adventurous excursions such as scuba diving and rafting down the Pai River. Every single day was filled with fun and adventure. The accommodations were lovely and very scenic. The counselors made everyone feel safe while being very fun and friendly. I highly recommend this trip as you get to experience such a beautiful country filled with amazing kindhearted people.

I loved my experience on the Southeast Asia for Older Teens trip with Travel for Teens! This trip goes to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Packing in so many countries is difficult, but TFT has created an itinerary that leaves everyone satisfied at every stop. There was a wonderful mix of history, culture, and adventure on this trip. I loved getting to experience so many cultures and countries on this trip, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering travel in Asia! I always felt safe, and the staff did a wonderful job dealing with any bumps in the road. 10/10!

Westcoast Connection’s Community Service Program in Thailand was absolutely incredible! This was my 16 year old daughter’s third Westcoast trip and she did not want to come home! From the wonderfully enthusiastic, uber friendly and engaging staff to an itinerary that provided full emersion into the Thai culture and life changing community service projects, this program was exceptional! The adventure began with an introduction to the country itself, exploring the hustle and bustle of city life in Bangkok and it’s markets, sampling the cuisine and visiting some of Thailand’s most beautiful building and temples, including the Grand Palace and the White Temple. With their native Thai guides at their sides, the travelers got an in depth and first hand history lesson about the country while utilizing all of the local modes of transportation including the sky train, canal river boats, vans, buses and Thailand’s famous tuk tuks. Traveling from the northern most region of Chiang Rai to Krabi in Thailand’s southern portion, with stops in between, the group also got to experience life in Thailand’s very rural, if not rustic, parts of the country as well – what an incredible cross section of Thai life! The community service projects included beautification projects, working, teaching and playing with Thai children and epitomizing teamwork in mixing and pouring a concrete court/playground for the Lahu Tribal Village. The community service projects wrapped up with the global adventurers spending a day at the Patara elephant farm where each student traveler was assigned an elephant for the day. Aside from feeding, washing, riding and playing with their elephants, the students were educated about the ever changing role of the elephant over time. It was amazing! WCC also does a fabulous job incorporating fun location specific activities into the community service program. So whether it’s attending a cooking class, a kick boxing class, scuba diving, snorkeling or zip lining, rest assured, student travelers get to live like the locals and they are in for the experience of a lifetime! Having experienced 3 years with another student travel program, I can say confidently and without hesitation that Westcoast Connection is the gold standard in student travel! They are, hands down, the Best of the Best! Thank you Westcoast Connection 360 for another phenomenal summer!

Westcoast Connection responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2017

Thank you, Helene, for highlighting all of your favorite parts of this program! We couldn't be happier that your daughter had a great time and are certainly looking forward to next year as much as you are. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our other programs, as always, we are happy to be of help.

My 16 year old daughter took her 3rd WCC trip and spent 25 days this summer in Thailand on a community serviced based program . . . and it was nothing short of spectacular! The trip leaders were just fantastic! Super responsible and organized, very friendly, professional, and fun, they set the pace and the tone for an amazing adventure! The itinerary gave the students the best opportunities to experience the essence of everything Thailand. An up close and personal travel adventure, the group lived and experienced Thai culture, customs, cuisine and sites, shopped markets, took several modes of local and country specific transportation (including riding in Tuk Tuks ) and visited some of the country's most beautiful and architecturally ornate temples! The community service projects were absolutely life changing! From working with Thai children and exchanging cultural dances and games, to the physical labor of the group projects (teamwork at its finest) to spending the day at an elephant preserve, it was like living world history up close and personal! And they traveled all over the country! What a tremendous opportunity for students to experience another country and it's culture! The things she learned and got to experience first hand are unparalleled! And she did not want to come home! As a parent, I could not have asked for more! Well done WCC! Exceptional job well done!

My trip to Thailand was amazing and a great experience! Every day was planned so well - we had so many fun activities planned. Also the staff were all very nice, helpful, and accommodating. Out your guides were also amazing and taught us about the culture and places we were touring. The service was, although tiring at times, amazing. We got to interact with the locals during service and many other times throughout the trip. The healthcare was also very nice- close to the hotel and very clean!

Westcoast Connection responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2017

We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time, Leslie! You and your fellow trip members worked really hard and we're sure that the the people and animals(!) you helped really appreciate it. Continue being of service to the people around you and we hope we'll cross paths again soon!

My son just returned from his fourth Westcoast Trip, this one to Hawaii, and he could not have had a better experience! The time he spent with the Boys and Girls club was truly meaningful and he thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities, the highlight being the incredible surfing. I can't say enough good things about Westcoast. It is a professional, well run organization staffed by caring, responsible and fun trip leaders and counsellors. They all go the extra mile to ensure your kid has an exceptional experience. THANK YOU WESTCOAST for giving my kids memories that will last forever. Kid #3 will be on deck shortly!!

Westcoast Connection responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2017

We're thrilled and honored that we've been able to consistently give you and your son four amazing summers! We consider ourselves very lucky to do what we do and an amazing experience for each and every trip member is what we strive for. This involves planning and reviewing every trip detail to provide an experience that is as safe as possible while also fun, friendly, rewarding, meaningful and as you say, unforgettable! We can't wait to meet Kid