What inspired you to go abroad?
When I was younger I had gone overseas to Europe and really enjoyed being immersed in a different culture and meeting new people which inspired me to take travel into my own hands and find programs to gain a few miles on my soul, and volunteering to to make a positive impact on the world was an added bonus I got with my programs. My trip last year to Costa Rica only made me want to go out and experience, see, and do more with my life. So traveling this Summer seemed like almost a requirement.
Walking Through Elephant Nature Park
Why did you choose Travel For Teens?
I chose to travel with TFT because I had an amazing balance between my volunteering and experiencing the country on my trip with TFT the Summer before. I was excited to experience not only the rewarding volunteer work again, but also to get to immerse myself in a whole new culture on the other side of the world.
What was your favorite part about Thailand?
My favorite part about Thailand was how different it was, not only visually, but culturally. Almost everywhere you looked you could see something completely different than the states, from the Thai temples, buildings, to foods you wouldn't think even existed.
Feeding an Elephant Bananas
What made your experience abroad unique?
The people on my trip is what made my trip so unique. The relationships I made on the trip stick with me to this day, and the staff allowed us to make it our own, from stopping to take silly Instagram photos to waiting a few extra minutes to be blessed by a Buddhist monk. One day the staff even arranged for an extra activity: Sunset yoga on the beach.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Throughout the program the staff was constantly making sure we had the best time, helping with any problems, answering questions, making activities for us to do, and to get us immersed into the culture while bringing the group together.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
The only qualm I have with the trip is that it wasn't longer, I wish that we could have stayed in the Thai islands longer and gone to more of them as well as having more time at elephant sanctuaries to volunteer and help out.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
Each day in the program was at least slightly different, we had a few travel days where we would spend the majority on a plane or bus. But each day we would start early, eating a breakfast normally at the hotel, to go out either scuba diving, volunteer work, explore temples, or rafting. We normally would only stop for lunch and small breaks. After a few more hours we would return to the hotel to get refreshed for about an hour before heading off to dinner. Then we would have some time in town usually for shopping at markets, and on the islands we would take walks on the beach to play in the shallow surf and just explore whatever town we were in at the time.
My Friend and I Watching the Sunrise From our Hotel Room In Pai
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
During our free time when we weren't out exploring temples, hanging out at markets, and caring for elephants, we would relax in the city whether that just be shopping around the hotel, taking a walk on the beach, staying at the hotel to have a group activity, or taking a moment to catch a couple minutes of sleep before the next adventure.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
We had multiple accommodations throughout the trip, but all were comfortable and all but one of the places we stayed in had internet so we could keep family back home updated. We stayed in the middle of the jungle for an overnight rafting trip which is the one accommodation we didn't have internet at, but the bamboo huts and fun rapids definitely made up for it.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Every person going into my program should know that they should be prepared for almost 17 days of nonstop experiences, so don't expect a lot of downtime where you stay at a hotel, expect to be on the move constantly doing something.
Sunset Beach Yoga on Koh Tao
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
My trip has shown me that there are opportunities for adventure everywhere and I just have to seize every opportunity I get to live life to the fullest and not just let it pass me by.
Would you recommend Travel For Teens to others? Why?
I would recommend both the program and TFT to other people, and have! Each trip I have taken have been wonderful, the staff are amazing, the trips are fulfilling and adventure packed, and I want others to get experiences like I have.
