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Thailand: Elephants, Education & Cultural Discovery Program Blog (July 27-August 9, 2026)

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

  1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
  2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
  3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
  4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
  5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

P.S. Are you interested in supporting the Global Leadership Adventures International Foundation? We invite you to learn more about GLAIF and consider donating here.

Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

 

BLOG POST FOR JULY 27

Hi parents,

Today marked the start of GLA’s Elephants, Education, and Cultural Discovery program here in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

After long journeys from around the world, our first students arrived at Chiang Mai International Airport—tired from travel but excited to begin the adventure and meet one another. We hopped into vans for the short drive to our home base, where everyone had a chance to settle in before enjoying their first meal in Thailand. The menu included pasta, stir-fried chicken and vegetables, and plenty of fresh fruit to help everyone refuel after a long day.

In the afternoon, we kicked off the program with a few icebreaker games, giving students the chance to learn each other’s names and start building new friendships. It was great to see conversations flowing so quickly! Everyone then met their roommates and had some time to unpack and settle into their new home for the next few weeks.

After dinner, we squeezed in one more fun group game before calling it a night. Although everyone is feeling the effects of long flights and changing time zones, there is already plenty of excitement and anticipation for the adventures ahead.

Tomorrow will be our first full day together, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the final three students to complete our group. With everyone together, the real adventure can begin!

See you tomorrow!

The GLA Staff Team


BLOG POST FOR JULY 28

Hello GLA Families!

After breakfast, we kicked off the day with a presentation from our local staff, who introduced the group to Thai culture, traditions, and food. Students also learned a few useful Thai phrases and had the chance to practice speaking the local language.

With a big day ahead, we left the hotel for our first adventure into the city. We explored some of Chiang Mai’s most important Buddhist temples, including Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man. As we wandered through these beautiful and historic sites, students learned about the role Buddhism plays in Thai culture and daily life.

The afternoon brought one of the day’s highlights: an intensive Thai cooking class! Students rolled up their sleeves and learned how to prepare a four-course meal from scratch. Favorites included Pad Thai, Pad Kra Pao, Khao Soi and Mango Sticky Rice.

By the end of the day, we returned to the hotel with our hearts and bellies full!

The GLA staff Team

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