What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired to travel abroad because I love traveling, meeting new people, and discovering new cultures. Plus, February is the perfect month to go to Thailand!
Going birdwatching!
Why did you choose Thailand Coastal Conservation Expedition through GVI?
I chose the Thailand Coastal Conservation Expedition program because I'm a nature lover! To be honest, I chose the program before the organization, because I wanted to volunteer for a better planet and animal welfare, and I wanted to go to Asia, too. Through a French website I discovered the GVI conservation program in Thailand and chose it.
What was your favorite part about Thailand?
My favorite part about Thailand was the people all around, and the beach near where I lived. Thailand people are really nice and lovely—they're always smiling, calm, and even when I was traveling alone during the weekends I felt safe.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Everything felt like new, which was definitely extraordinary. I was surprised by how nice the people are, but also by how plastic is everywhere in the sea and on the beaches.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The GVI program staff was always there to help and listen!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have stayed longer so I could see and learn more, and take more time in the village.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day for me involved waking up, taking a cold shower, having breakfast, going out for conservation volunteering (bird or butterfly watching, taking care of turtles, snorkeling...), then enjoying local food at lunch and dinner. After volunteering, we would go back to the GVI base and talk with each other.
Feeling the cool breeze!
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I loved visiting new places during weekends, and going to the beach if I had a free hour break.
The coolest thing I was able to do during my free time was when I took a boat tour in Phang Nga Bay. It was really beautiful with all the rocks and sea, and I was able to have lunch on the beach, visit a cave, James Bond Island, and that night I went to a small night market and ate my favorite dessert: mango sticky rice!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
At GVI base, we slept in a dormitory of six girls with a bathroom (with a cold shower, toilet, and sink) and some lockers. There was electricity, as well as a fan because it's really hot! There was also a Resource Room where all the stuff for activities is stocked, a big living room where we would all meet to eat, chat, and make project presentations, and report about the day and week.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Remember to respect Thai culture by wearing clothes that hide your knees and shoulders.
Would you recommend GVI to others? Why?
Yes! It's a beautiful experience. The staff at GVI were really nice, and I learned a lot from them. They are passionate about what they do, and the activities were all amazing too—snorkeling in beautiful water to analyze the coral, going birdwatching in the morning, learning how to trap butterflies, taking care of sea turtles, cleaning the beaches...I loved all of it.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is discovering new cultures, meeting new people, and learning from them.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I wanna go back and help again so much!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is doing something that helps people or the environment, and it makes you a better version of yourself.
