From the verdant mountains and rice paddies of the north, to the buzzing metropolis of Bangkok further south, the beauty of Thailand leaves one enchanted. Today, Thailand plays a central role in one of the world’s most dynamic regions; Southeast Asia is inhabited by 640 million people, more than twice the population of the United States. Few places are positioned to benefit economically or suffer ecologically like Southeast Asia. Few places are poised to see such a rift in wealth disparity in the coming generations. Few places offer such majestic environs, such a gracious culture embodied by greng jai (the act of putting others before oneself), or the lure of economic possibility. Southeast Asia is a subcontinent on the move, and Thailand has served as not only its crown jewel of tourism, but also its most stabilizing political force.
This is an experiential cultural immersion program that introduces students to new environments where they develop self-knowledge, leadership skills, and a better understanding of our global community. Through carefully guided responsible travel, community stays, wilderness immersion and exploration of key historical and religious sites, students learn firsthand about real questions facing people everywhere and learn ways to contribute positively to solutions.
Learn to identify edible and medicinal tropical plants, as well as how to harvest and prepare them.
Build empathy and understanding around the situation of indigenous peoples in the face of rapid global development and change.
Learn about the core tenets of Theravada Buddhism, meditation, and the influence of religion in Thailand.
Experience new cultures, explore different perspective, and build confidence by navigating unfamiliar environments. Students return more independent and with a deeper sense of their place in a global community.
We begin our program in Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of northern Thailand. In our first days, we stay near the Old Town, meet NGOs working in cultural conservation, indigenous rights, traditional medicine, and organic farming, and orient to health, safety, and cultural considerations. We also explore markets and temples to learn about Thai culture.
From Chiang Mai, we travel to Pun Pun organic farm, a community initiative supporting traditional agriculture and sustainable food systems. Here we learn about permaculture, seed saving, natural building, and other approaches to revitalizing human-plant relationships, while engaging in project-based work and enjoying group meals.
Next, we journey to the Karen village of Hua Hin Lad Nai for a multi-day homestay—the centerpiece of our experience. This community has intentionally protected traditional wisdom and resisted electricity to preserve cultural identity. Students learn from youth leaders, farmers, and spiritual guides about cultural preservation, alternative models of development, and human-nature relationships while working closely with food and medicinal plants.
We end at an ecolodge in the hills outside Chiang Mai, reflecting on our time in the village. We visit a Buddhist temple, meet monks for a Q&A on Theravada Buddhism and its ties to land and animist traditions, and conclude with a celebratory dinner and closing ceremony before returning home.
Arrive at Chiang Mai airport and transfer to accommodation near Chiang Mai old town. Begin orientation and frame main program themes. Visit a Buddhist temple as an introduction to important cultural considerations. Opening dinner and ceremony.
Continue orientation activities and survival language lessons on day 2. Engage in a scavenger hunt in the local markets. Meet with NGOs focused on indigenous cultures and conservation. Dinner at an organic farm for a farm-to-table meal experience.
Travel 1 hour to Pun Pun organic farm and village. Arrival and welcome, tour of the grounds, introduction to seed saving and traditional agricultural systems. Discussions on food as medicine and project-based work at the center. Group meals prepared with local hosts
Morning hike and exploration of the village. Continue project-based work at Pun Pun, learning about bio-construction and plants as building materials. Afternoon celebration and discussions on human ecosystems and plant relations.
Travel 2.5 hours to Huai Hin Lad Nai. Enjoy our first lunch in the village, get to know local community leaders and orient to the space with a small-group mapping activity. Split up and settle into homes with host families.
During the homestay, the group gathers each morning for a check in, followed by activities with local community leaders related to plants and people. Daily activities may include hikes with local experts into the forest to explore medicinal plants, working and learning in the fields about rice cultivation and other tropical food crops, learning from spiritual leaders, and discussions on development. On the final night, we hold a gratitude ceremony for our families.
After lunch, we head back toward Chiang Mai, settling in a lodge in the mountains outside of the city. Here, we reflect on our experience in the village and discuss what we learned.
On our last day, we visit a temple and meet with monks for a Q&A about Theravada Buddhism and learn about how this form of Buddhism connects with the land and incorporates local animist traditions. Spend the afternoon on Transference activities, considering how to bring our learning home.
We head to a market for final souvenir shopping and a celebratory meal. Then we travel to the Chiang Mai airport for our flight home.
Each Custom School Program is tailored to meet your needs. Through a close, hands-on collaboration, we take the time to understand what matters most—and draw on decades of experience to create something unique, thoughtful, and authentic.
Together, we’ll design a program that’s cohesive, purposeful, and fully supported from start to finish—never a collection of tourist stops or disconnected activities. We’re ready when you are.
Our Program Components are the building blocks of your itinerary. During the customization process, these components can be dialed up or down to meet the goals and vision for the program. Each program component is thoughtfully planned to ensure that your students engage meaningfully and authentically connect with the places they visit.
Our instructors are more than guides—they’re mentors, educators, and trusted companions. Each member of our team is thoroughly vetted, background-checked, and trained in our unique pedagogy and risk management practices. With an average of over four years living abroad and fluency in local languages, our instructors serve as meaningful cross-cultural liaisons.