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Thai food is famous all over the world for good reason! On your Thailand Mini Semester, make sure to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try some of the local delicacies. When we first arrive in Thailand, we will be immersed in a melting pot of smells and colors - especially in the local markets! The secret to Thai food is the balance between the sweet, sour and salty elements. We will do a cooking course on program to learn more, but every day is truly a food jo… Read more

Our Thailand Mini-Semester is incredibly diverse; from immersing ourselves in Bangkok's bustling mega-city vibes to climbing on the limestone ocean cliff walls of Railay. The mountainous northern jungle of Thailand is populated by minority tribal groups and has stunning national parks, while tropical islands in the south have some of the world’s best beaches and snorkeling spots. From cultural immersion in the mountains to island living, the program is deliberately sta… Read more

This week really was action-packed and we can’t wait to tell you all about it! We started our second week by waking up the chirping birds and misty clouds that filled the lush jungle in the north of Thailand. We were all very excited to make ourselves busy and our host Apple had plenty planned for us. Within the first 24 hours at the elephant sanctuary, we had met all 3 of the elephants here: Molo, Tong Bai, and Bau Ban. Izzy was the first to step forward to meet a very… Read more

Over the past two weeks, one of the best experiences has been trying all of the different foods Thailand has to offer. We wanted to share with you some of our favorites! Whether you’re traveling through Thailand or just looking for a new recipe to try at home, we have you covered. Check out these delicious dishes!   1. Yum Som-O (Pomelo Salad)Thai pomelo salad, or Yum Som-O, is a fruit-based salad. The main ingredient is pomelo, which is a fruit that looks like a grape… Read more

Read about the adventures of the Thailand Mini Students on their second week of program!   What a week it’s been! The majority of it was spent at the lovely, environmentally conscious organization, NatureMind-Ed. Our homebase was Spirit Mountain, a lush tropical garden directly adjacent to a massive jungle-covered limestone karst. NatureMind is a project that inspires environmental connection and social and cultural sustainability to improve human health and nurture th… Read more

I was sitting in my room in Ao Nang, catching up on some reading on one of our free days, when suddenly, McKenna and Cabell came crashing in, saying, “Zac Efron is in Thailand!!” I was shocked. “He was spotted in Phuket!” they continued. We soon hatched a plan to find him. Our hunt for Zac in Thailand had begun. Our first stop was the hot springs in Ao Nang. These springs are naturally heated, similar to the ones in Japan. When we arrived, there were two different types… Read more

When we visited Khao Sok, a rainforest national park in southern Thailand, I was struck by the variation of color in the tall cliffs next to where we were staying. As I began to describe them, I found myself overwhelmed by the vibrancy of life surrounding me. All I could manage then was pages and pages of words, which I only managed to organize into a poem a week later, after a full free day spent working on it. I truly believe this may be one of my best works, and I hop… Read more

Charlotte Stang arrived in Phuket on our Thailand Gap Year Program, and found herself deeply inspired by the natural beauty of the land, especially the beaches. Over the course of her first week on program, she wrote two poems for Patong Beach. We can't help but be amazed by the insanely talented students we get on program! Floatby Charlotte Stang   Can you imagine a wide horizon blotted clouds painted by a child’s finger dabbled in clear whites and stormy grays. … Read more

Hey everyone, This is Thailand Gap Semester Group 2, checking in from Phuket. We spent our first two weeks on this island as part of the Phuket Sandbox. These first two weeks were jam-packed with a variety of fun activities. We are all having the time of our lives!! We've listed the top five most exciting things we’ve done on our journey so far for you. #1: Scuba diving!Hi, my name is Abby, and scuba diving was one of the most incredible experiences of this trip! The … Read more

  Our Summer Program in Thailand has started with a bang. They decided to get creative which we love and make a vlog for us! Have a look at all the highlights throughout their time in Thailand. We hope you enjoy the video! They also wrote down their stories and shared their unforgettable experiences with us. These weeks have seen them learn Muay Thai, attend an authentic Thai cookery class, volunteer with elephants and also scuba dive in some of the clearest water they… Read more