Blog

As we departed Chiang Mai and rode into the mountains, we saw a vastly different side of Thailand than what we had previously. We had recently visited Sukhothai, the ancient Thai capital, along with Bangkok and Chiang Mai, two bustling and growing cities. We were now seeing a more rural, traditional side of the country... and it was this lesser known part of Thailand that impacted me most. While at Elephant Nature Park (ENP), we learned the stories of the elephants who… Read more

We head to Crazy Horse Buttress, a rock climbing and caving area outside of Chiang Mai, with equal parts excitement and trepidation. After being introduced to our guides, Gee and Bus, we split  into two groups. Outfitted with our climbing gear, our team sets out hiking to a set of limestone walls and cliffs where the guides teach us to belay and climb. We spend the next few hours channeling our inner mountain goats as we take turns tenaciously tackling the climbs. Time… Read more

We awake in the town of Sukothai. Sleepily, the group packs their bags and gathers around the table where we are served either yogurt or eggs. Some  slept better than others, all are excited for the travel to come in the next few days. Before long, we pack ourselves like sardines into a pair of vans and hit the road to Chiang Mai. The drive is long and uneventful, punctuated with the occasional stop at a gas station to buy snacks and use the restroom. Two hours in, we … Read more

Walking through the streets of Bangkok to get a massage, my first impression of Thailand was one of vibrancy, color, andchaos. There is a great contrast in the city: huge skyscrapers and tiny shacks; small  lively restaurants, concrete buildings undergoing construction, and wonderfully ornate temples. Stalls line the bustling streets where locals sell all types of street food, some of which I certainly wouldn't find back home in England - grasshoppers, and even scorpio… Read more

Southeast Asia Gap Year Semester instructor, Kate Sabo, says... Xin Chao Travelers! My name is Kate and I'll be one of your program instructors throughout SE Asia this Spring. I thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce myself - after all we will be sharing a bamboo hut together, crawling through caves, traveling by every form of transportation, and maybe even having to endure a bout of traveler's diarrhea together. I'm sure by the end of our semester together we w… Read more

Humbling. Eye-opening. Community. Inspiring. Challenging. Welcoming. These are just a few words that come to mind when reflecting upon my time building a house in a village outside Kampot. A family of 9 lived in a small one-room hut. We were helping to build a larger dwelling for them to live in. I grew up in a much larger house with a family of 6. I had my own bedroom, something I rarely thought of as a luxury before. The whole village came together to work on the hou… Read more

The mellow vibe of Hoi An was a nice change of pace from the chaotic streets of Hanoi; sidewalks were not flooded with pushy pedestrians and motorbikes weren't always coming at you from every direction. We loved getting to explore the city by foot beneath the lanterns that hang over the old quarter. We got a good taste for the charming city from shopping in the old quarter, navigating the night market, and hanging out at the beach just adjacent to the city. Every morning… Read more

We left Kampot for Phnom Penh. Along the way was an important stop about an hour and a half outside Phnom Phenh. As we pulled up to the arch that marked the entrance to the site, we prepared ourselves for what we were about to see: the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, one of many mass graves used by the Khmer Rouge to dispose of the suspected enemies of Ankgor. The body count at this site was in the thousands. We took an audio tour and I was blown away by the firsthand accoun… Read more

Where do I even begin, we've done so much this week, learned so many things, and met inspiring people that have left a mark on my life... It all started Monday, October 24th when we arrived at the Mea's Family Homestay where we met Paul. He had been living there for three years, as he walked by to say hello I had no idea the man we were about to meet would change my life. Paul followed every step in the book: he went to school, got a job, and started climbing the corpor… Read more

Our itinerary took us through three ethnic minority Hmong and Khmu villages in Laos. As we trekked through this natural environment, we couldn't help but feel grateful for this amazing opportunity. To begin the journey, we started with an intense uphill path crossing beautiful rivers and streams. Our guide, although speedy, patiently helped us through the muddy patches. We soon found ourselves in a small mountainous village. The long journey up to the first village was… Read more