High School Outdoor Education Programs in Thailand

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.

Seeing the students build new relationships with peers they don't spend a lot of time with. And watching them adapt to new situations and help support each other in times that may have been stressful or overwhelming.

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hi Zoė! Thanks so much for traveling with us! We're so happy to hear that students were able build new relationships and gain confidence! We hope our paths cross again!

The most memorable part of the program was making friends with everyone in Thailand, especially P Chet and P Nut. They were the main people who always made my day great. Also the whole arrangement whether it?s following up the checklist for the tour or and looking and taking care of each and bit of travelling details with parents and school or it?s taking care of children in the spot, we are fully satisfied with the Rustic Pathways. The hotels arrangements in both Chang mai and Chang dao was amazing. Especially the tree house experience goes the kids were very unique and exciting. The delicious Thai food was liked by everyone. These lovely memories will stay fresh for long time. Thank you Rustic Pathways for the safe and beautiful journey !!!!

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hi Arihant! Thanks so much for traveling with us! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time, and that you felt supported and taken care of by our team! We hope you travel with us again soon!

The Rustic Pathways Staffs Making playground and teaching in local school. Meeting and learning about Thai culture Thai food The stay hotel especially the tree house experience was amazing Last but not least staying and having good time with friends and teachers ?

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hey Arihant! Thanks so much for leaving us two amazing reviews. We're glad that you had such a memorable time. That treehouse eco-lodge is INCREDIBLE! See you soon?

Rustic is a great program because it gives kids enough freedom without being overprotective. Overall, the kid's experience was great and he enjoyed the trip thoroughly. Highly recommend this to parents who want to send their kids.

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewAugust 14, 2024

Hi Katherine! Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled your son enjoyed his time with us, and we hope to see him next summer!

I must say that it was a Life-Changing Experience! Living with host families and engaging in village life was life-changing. Learned so much about cultures and had an absolute blast! I cannot wait to go back!

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewAugust 15, 2024

Hi Brian! We're so glad you enjoyed your life changing trip to Thailand! We hope to see you again next year!

I loved the staff at all of the places including our main counselors. I had a great time on the excursions. I wish there was more cultural immersion such as more time and more temples and learning, and socially speaking it wasn’t the best with my peers. But everything else was amazing

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewAugust 28, 2024

Hi Margaret! Thank you so much for your feedback and for focusing on the many positive aspects of your trip. We’re so glad you had an amazing time in Thailand! Hopefully we'll see you next summer too!

The staff were really kind and welcoming. Especially Chet the First aid instructor. I enjoyed working in the village and engaging with locals furing the activities and downtime. I made new friends and new memories that will last a life time.

Probably the 3 nights our group was with the homestay family in the village. The service project allowed our students to connect on a different level and they worked well as a team; developing their communication and collaboration skills. In addition, the other activities while at the village built on those skills, as well as, providing opportunities for leadership, compassion & empathy, problem-solving, and fully engaged our students with the community (ie. volleyball with the local community, cooking lunch, and the cultural dance performance). I saw personal growth in all our students during these experiences.

The instructors in Thailand were very thoughtful and soon connected with each and every student. They made us all feel very comfortable during all the activities and made it an amazing program experience.

My trip to Thailand was one that I could have never imagined, from the days with elephants to meeting the most amazing people it was definitely a trip of a life time. This was the first trip I had ever gone out of the country by myself with people I had never met, and to be honest I was very nervous but when meeting the counselors they made us feel right at home and the campers soon after a couple nights of never have I ever’s/games established bonds that we knew could never be broken. Everyday we took on a new adventure, I remember when I first heard that we were going to be “hanging” out with elephants I thought it was going to be from a far little did I know we would be getting up close and personal feeding them, bathing them, and cleaning up after them. It was astounding how gentle the elephants were and how much they were just like big puppies with how they wanted to play with you. Saying goodbye to the elephants was definitely hard and sad but I know that someday I will go back and see them again. After we finished our community service hours with elephants we then went on a very windy 3 hour drive to Pai where we the most amazing massages. Over the trip two other campers and I got 3 massages and only ended up paying $11. Then we went on a 2 day trip to the jungle which was honestly one of the hardest things physically on this trip, the white rafting was long but the campers and the view make it all worth it. After returning to the hotels the first thing we all did was shower and let me tell you it was the best feeling. Now I was not able to stay for extra 7 days and explore the islands so at the final dinner it was very sad to say goodbye to everyone because even though I had only known them for 10 days we all felt like we had known each other for much longer. The kids I met are already planning on having a “reunion”. These trips not only open up your mind to new places and cultures but also to new people.

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 got to go on the Thailand Elephant and Explores trip with TFT this summer! It was my 4th trip with TFT and one of my favorites. We got to do amazing service work taking care of elephants at an elephant sanctuary, getting to work hands on with the enormous animals. We also got to go on a two-day white-water rafting trip down the Pai river, which allowed us to see Thailand from a completely different perspective. The food on the trip was delicious, and every activity we did was so much fun! I got to learn so much about the Thai culture thanks to Travel for Teens.

loved this trip because it allowed me to immerse with the culture and learn more. i also met so many people and have lots of fun. i would definitely recommend this trip to anyone that is looking into it.

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewSeptember 12, 2017

Hi! Thanks so much. We love hearing about our students’ experiences. Hope to see you again in the future on the Rustic program. If you have any questions and additional comments, reach out to me at [email protected]. Best, Rachel Levin | RP Alumni Association Director