Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- 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.
- 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.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- 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
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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22
Dear GLA Families,
Today marked the official start of our adventure together! Throughout the morning, students arrived at the airport full of excitement and anticipation for the weeks ahead. After making our way to the hotel, we enjoyed our first meal together as a group and had some time to settle in after a long day of travel.
In the afternoon we played games, shared plenty of laughs and talked about how we can create a positive and supportive community.
It was wonderful to see friendships already starting to form, despite everyone feeling a little tired from their travels.
One of the highlights of the day was celebrating Annika’s birthday! Our local staff surprised the group with cupcakes, giving us a special opportunity to celebrate together and make our first memories as a community.
We are so excited to begin this journey and can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
The Team,
André, Meg, Yamini, Aoffy, Nina, Aom & Mint
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23
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, Wat Chiang Man, and Wat Phra Singh. 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 five-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!
André, Meg, Yamini, Aoffy, Nina, Aom & Mint
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24
Today was another big day of exploration and adventure as we set off for Doi Inthanon National Park, known for its cooler temperatures, incredible biodiversity, and unique cloud forests.
Our first stop was the highest point in Thailand, followed by a short walk through the forest. We then visited the Twin Royal Pagodas, built to honor the King and Queen of Thailand. Perched high on the mountain and surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, the clouds and fog created a mysterious atmosphere.
After lunch, we stopped at one of the park’s majestic waterfalls on our journey back down the mountain.
Back in Chiang Mai, the group visited Elephant Parade, a nonprofit organization that supports elephant conservation and raises awareness through art. Students had the opportunity to paint their own elephant sculptures, learning about the organization’s mission while expressing their creativity. The experience also served as inspiration as we look ahead to our upcoming service work at the elephant sanctuary.
After dinner, it was time to pack our bags and prepare for the next stage of our journey. Tomorrow we leave for four days at the elephant camp, where students will have the opportunity to learn, serve, and connect more deeply with both the local community and these incredible animals.
Tomorrow’s update will be brought to you by our first Leaders of the Day: Jasmine and Gabriel
André, Yamini, Meg, Aoffy, Mint, Nina, Aom
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25
Good morning parents at home!
We started the day extra strong with a nice home style breakfast, bright and early at 7:30 AM.
We set off with our travel bags for a 2 hour long drive to the hotel near the elephant sanctuary where we plan to spend the next 3 nights.
The students got to stop by 7/11 to pick up some fun Thai snacks and Thai shorts.
After arriving at the hotel, the students unpacked their things and got settled in for around 30 minutes before setting off for the activities ahead. They ate a quick lunch once arrived at the location.
After lunch they got a presentation by an elephant doctor who educated them on the differences on elephants.
The students were split into 3 groups with 3 Diffrent elephants they then were led out to the sanctuary grounds where they were able to observe the elephants up close and check up on them.
After finishing jotting down their observations, they made presentations of the elephants they were documenting to introduce into the entire group.
After this they got the got the golden opportunity to feed the elephants with their own two hand and take photos.
After the exciting day had ceased they headed back to base to divide into mentor groups and were pushed to think about their pathways and life. After this they rest and have a sunset circle where they exchanged highlight, shoutouts and compliments.
Dinner included chicken nuggets watermelon chicken soup and rice.
After dinner the students had an activity where they all reflected on the community guidelines after which they had downtime and headed to bed for the night.
Your leaders of the day,
Gabriel & Jasmine
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26
Good morning parents! We kicked off the day at our new home base near the elephant sanctuary! We started bright and early with a nice breakfast of eggs, fruit, and Nutella before heading out to start our first service activity.
When we arrived at the service site student divided the tasks, with some planting elephant grass and some distributing the stalks to be planted. After a few long hours in the sun, and many water breaks, we headed back on some open air trucks to the home base for lunch.
For lunch we had some delicious pad Thai and homemade Thai chips (a fan favorite!). Later on, we headed out again to hike to a large waterfall. We trekked down a wooden staircase, and arrived at the waterfall! We then crossed a rickety bamboo bridge to a cute little shop, for a sweet treat purchase, and a waterfall look out.
After, we headed back to the trucks using a different route and we passed by some more majestic elephants. We were then surprised with a visit to a local cafe surrounded by beautiful views. There students were able to enjoy a refreshing beverage generously provided by the local Thai staff. After returning back to home base and taking a much needed break, we gathered back together for a delicious dinner of green curry and fresh watermelon.
Post-dinner we ended the night with a fun group activity before heading to bed. Overall, we had an incredible day filled with new experiences and fun adventures.
Your leaders of the day,
Elsa and Chatham
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28
Today, we started the day bright and early with a delicious breakfast before saying goodbye to the elephants. We got to meet two elephant calves as well! We had a full lunch of watermelon, chicken, and noodles. After that, we said goodbye to our elephant sanctuary service guides drove back to our first home base, stopping by 7/11 on the way. We then had some downtime to wash our clothes and swim in the pool before hopping in the van and heading to a night market in Chiang Mai, where we purchased a variety of souvenirs and food from street vendors. We had to leave before 8, as after then the market is too packed to walk. Overall, a great day in Chang Mai.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
Today was a BLAST! It was our first day of teaching!!!! After a nice breakfast at the hotel, we went straight to the school where our morning started off with joining the kids for their morning pledge. They put on a beautiful performance for us and they were so adorable and heartwarming they were preformed to welcome us!
Then we started teaching!! We had previously split into three groups of six, and each group taught three different classes, we had breaks in between where we played and ran around in the school yard with them. The energy was electric the whole time. These kids are excited about literally everything and it’s so contagious! By the end we were were so tired out! After school, we went to a nice restaurant where there is these delicious purple ice tea drinks; a lot of of us downed a bunch, and after we headed back to home base where we got some pool and chill time. After our recharging rest time, we all came back together to reflect on our first day of teaching, talked about what worked and what to fix, and planned out tomorrow with our teaching groups.
After we headed to dinner at this super cool jungle restaurant. The food was deliciousss, from curry, pineapple fried rice, all of it absolutely amazing. We ended the night with mentor group, we played a fun game and the talked our our key values, and how they shape us as people, there was so much joy and energy today. It was the perfect mix of fun meaningful hard work and bonding and chilling! We all can’t wait for Day Two of teaching tomorrow!
Alexarya and Annika
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Today the students commence their self with a yummy buffet style breakfast to start the day.
From there we leave on are 5 star busses and arrive at the school at 8:30 to start teaching the years four, five, and six.
A fun along with immersive morning with the kids leads to a 20 minutes ride to a very nice international school, where we eat lunch and prepare for the foreign exchange.
We start the foreign exchange with meeting the international school kids, our age and an icebreaker game. Then we perform our beautiful performance of singing home by Edward Sharp (guitarist Liam). Then we then pair up and immerse ourselves with cooking class and traditional dancing. Following that we as a group explore the campus and play games.
Lastly, we come home and have a nice break too soak up all the friendships we’ve made. Leading to dinner and preparing for tomorrow’s students.
Sincerely the best leaders of the day,
Ashlyn and Hudson
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Sawadeeka (Hello), Parents!
This is the final blog from the Thailand: Elephants, Education & Cultural Discovery Program (June 22–July 5, 2026).
Some places just have a way of making you slow down. Thailand has been one of those places.
Two weeks ago, we stepped off a plane into a country we’d never known, surrounded by people we barely knew either. We all arrived carrying different stories and different expectations. Somewhere between long van rides, shared meals, and conversations that lasted far longer than they needed to, those strangers slowly became friends.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen places that are difficult to describe until you’re standing in them yourself. We stood beneath the roofs of ancient temples, where everything seemed impossibly still. We climbed to the highest point in Thailand, where the mountains disappeared into the clouds and the air felt different somehow; quieter, lighter. Looking out over the landscape, it was hard not to remember how small one person is compared to the world around them.
One of the moments we’ll carry home with us was our visit to an elephant sanctuary. The elephants we met had survived difficult lives before finding safety there. We helped prepare their food and medicine, watched them wander through the trees, and learned their stories. They weren’t asking for attention. They were simply living, one quiet step at a time.
Later, as we painted elephant sculptures, we talked about what they represented—not just elephants, but the responsibility we all share to protect the wildlife and places that make this planet worth exploring.
Some of the memories we’ll miss most, though, weren’t on the schedule. They happened in between. Laughing so hard at dinner that everyone nearby turned to look. Singing in the van when no one remembered all the words. Running through warm rain instead of waiting for it to stop. Sitting together after a long day without anyone feeling the need to fill the silence.
Those moments reminded us that some of the best parts of a trip are the ones you never plan for.
Working alongside local students became another one of those moments. We came from different countries and spoke different first languages, but kindness has never needed a translation. Every conversation, every activity, and every shared laugh reminded us that people have far more in common than we often realize.
Today, on our final full day together, we visited two more beautiful temples. Every staircase seemed steeper than the last, but every climb was worth it. Looking back from the top, the view stretched farther than we could see, and for a little while, nobody was in a hurry to leave.
Later, we wandered through the local market one last time, trying new foods, buying small souvenirs, and taking in the sounds and colors around us. Two weeks ago, everything felt unfamiliar. Today, it felt strangely comforting.
As we pack our bags, it’s hard to believe how quickly this time has passed. This trip was never just about seeing another country. It was about paying attention.
To the mountains disappearing into the clouds. To the elephants finding peace after hardship. To the quiet moments between busy ones. And to the people beside us, who somehow became friends before we realized it was happening.
We’ll leave Thailand with photos and souvenirs, but those aren’t the things we’ll remember most.
We’ll remember the conversations, the laughter, the early mornings, the long drives, and all the moments that seemed ordinary until they became memories.
Thank you, Thailand, GLA and Thai Staff, for welcoming us so warmly.
Until next time.
The Leaders of the Day
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Chloe B. & Addie
