Our program begins in the Kingdom of Siam’s first capital, Sukhothai. Here, students orient to the cultural, spiritual, and culinary nuances of the Land of Smiles before boarding the slow train north to the art and cultural hub of Thailand, Chiang Mai. Here we explore the city’s many temples and meet with grassroots NGOs and activists working on gender equality, migrant workers rights, environmental protection, and elephant conservation.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

• Partake in a three day Theravada meditation retreat set in the misty mountains of Chiang Mai learning several forms of insight meditation.
• Visit an Asian elephant conservation and research centre working to protect one of the world’s critically endangered megafauna species.
• Live with Karen and Dara’Ang ethnic minority communities in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai, taking part in daily life and rituals.
• Meet with grassroots NGO representatives working to protect illegal migrant workers rights and learn about human trafficking issues in Thailand and the region.
• Get your hands dirty at a community-led sustainable farm and learn about seed saving and sustainable agriculture.

We then move further north into the mountainous hill tribe regions in Mae Hong Son, where we hike from village to village through tea plantations and coffee fields staying with ethnic minority communities to catch a glimpse into their traditional way of life. Amid paddies and glittering Buddhist temples, we explore some of the dichotomies that come with living in a region experiencing rampant development while maintaining ritual and custom.

From here, we enter into a small Theravada Buddhist monastery in Chiang Rai for a three day meditation retreat where we learn and practice many forms of meditation—insight, walking, eating, silent—to center ourselves. We then venture to a Thai-run eco-village to study permaculture and sustainability practices. We learn about seed banking, traditional organic farming, adobe building, natural medicines, and rice cultivation in a valley surrounded by picturesque national parks.

Our Thailand journey culminates with a few day’s exploration of the country’s colorful and bustling capital, Bangkok, where we say goodbye to Southeast Asia amid the wild sprawl and awe-inspiring skyline of one of the world’s great alpha cities.

Hear more from our Asia Program Director in this recent webinar.