Program Directed by
Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Travel to the mountainous northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in Thailand, home to lush forests, endless mountain ranges, and tremendous ethnic and cultural diversity. Foster connections with local youth as you teach conversational English lessons and contribute to ongoing construction projects at elementary schools in Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai District, and assist with other service projects in the community as needed. Experience northern Thailand’s distinct highland cultures and traditions while staying in a small community on the Kok River near the border with Myanmar, home to the Thai, Shan, Ahka, Karen, Lahu, and many other ethnic groups. Learn about Buddhism through offering morning alms to monks and visiting temples, make delicious dishes in a Thai cooking class, participate in a day exchange program with local high school students, and cap your program by exploring the dynamic cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, northern Thai cultural hubs.
- Program Highlights
• Experience Chiang Mai’s bustling evening markets and epic street food scene
• Bike amidst ruins of the ancient Lanna Kingdom
• Learn how to make delicious Thai dishes such as pad thai and khao soi
• Visit Chiang Rai’s Wat Rong Khun and other magnificent Buddhist temples
• Bike amidst ruins of the ancient Lanna Kingdom
• Learn how to make delicious Thai dishes such as pad thai and khao soi
• Visit Chiang Rai’s Wat Rong Khun and other magnificent Buddhist temples
“We hoped for Matt to learn about a new culture, become more independent, meet new people, have fun, and get a different perspective of the world. This program exceeded our expectations.”
—Debra & Frank G., Branchburg, NJ
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Chiang Mai, Thailand. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Chiang Mai — 3 days
Begin your program in a quiet neighborhood in Chiang Mai, surrounded by ancient Lanna structures and picturesque temples while becoming acquainted with your surroundings and getting to know your peers. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from Chiang Mai’s beloved mountain, Doi Suthep, and visit evening markets and “walking streets” to sample delicious street food and try out your Thai language skills with local vendors.
Mae Ai District — 6 days
Travel north into the mountains to a local community nestled near the border with Myanmar. With guidance from your leaders and local facilitators, prepare English learning games and basic conversation lessons to teach local elementary school students in small groups. Work alongside locals by helping with ongoing school construction projects, such as laying the foundation for a new canteen or making bricks for future projects. In the afternoons, trek through the lush landscape with your group, visit a local handicrafts market, go for a dip in the swimming pool, or participate in activities such as archery, volleyball, or team-building games. Begin shaping your independent project—share your experiences through photographs, writing, or video, or develop a narrative about your time in the community.
Chiang Rai — 5 days
Travel to Chiang Rai via riverboat to explore this diverse, charming city in Thailand’s northernmost province known for its rugged natural beauty and remote highland communities. Learn how to make your own eco prints alongside a local artist, hike to a beautiful waterfall in the jungle, and participate in an enriching cultural exchange day program with local students at a high school in the city center. Visit the exquisite Wat Rong Khun, or White Temple, and explore Chiang Rai’s bustling Night Bazaar and evening market streets.
Chiang Mai — 1 day
Wrap up your time with a final evening in Chiang Mai presenting your independent projects and reflecting on your adventures as a group.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Chiang Mai to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Program Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review specific program questions here. For more general information, visit our full FAQ:
What are the main focuses of this program?
The focus of our high school Thailand service program is learning about another culture by forming meaningful relationships with local people. The program combines meaningful service, cultural immersion, and authentic community connections in the country's mountainous northern highlands. Students teach conversational English, assist with school and community improvement projects, and build lasting relationships with local students and families while experiencing the rich cultural diversity of the region's many ethnic communities. Alongside service, students explore Buddhist traditions, participate in a Thai cooking class, complete an independent project, and hike, bike, and trek through forests, waterfalls, and villages, creating a well-rounded experience that emphasizes global citizenship, cultural understanding, and personal growth through active engagement rather than tourism. You should come to the summer with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life. Everyone participates in all of the group’s projects on a rotating basis, and lends a hand in meal preparation and cleanup. To learn more about our Service programs click here.
What types of service projects do students participate in on this program?
During our Thailand program, you can expect to participate in several different service experiences, including teaching English lessons to local schoolchildren and assisting with construction-based projects at local schools.
What is the technology and cell phone policy?
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney Student Travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to and from the program. During in-country orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones for the first half of the program. At the end of this tech-free period, leaders return student phones for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
How many service hours can students expect to receive?
Students on our high school Thailand service program can expect to complete 30–40 service hours. Students receive a digital service certificate after the program that confirms their participation. The certificate will specify the exact number of hours completed, based on our host community’s identified projects for the group.
Will students have the opportunity to practice the local language?
Thai is the official language of Thailand, and different dialects and languages are spoken throughout various parts of the country. English is common in the cities, though not as widely spoken in rural areas. You will have opportunities to learn Thai words and phrases throughout the program.
What is an Independent Project?
All students on Putney programs pursue an independent project as a way to more deeply engage with aspects of local culture that are of particular interest to them—in Thailand, you might learn how food is an integral part of Thai family life, create a photo album that documents a Thai classroom, or learn a traditional dance or song.
How physically active is this program?
This is a physically active summer travel and service program. In addition to the service work, you can expect to ride bicycles, trek in the jungle to waterfalls, temples and stupas, participate in games and sports with local students, and explore the towns of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai on foot. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
What are the accommodations for this program?
The group stays 2–3 students per room in locally owned guesthouses with basic amenities like hot showers, air conditioning, and electricity. In Mae Ai, we stay in simple dorm-style bunk rooms with shared spaces, a lounge, and a pool. Leaders reside alongside students for the duration of the program.
What are meals like in Thailand?
The Thailand service program eats breakfast together as a group at the guesthouse, which includes traditional Thai breakfast with some supplemental Western food. Students eat Thai-style lunches and dinners at our accommodations or at local restaurants.
What type of student is most successful on this program?
Putney’s Service Thailand program is designed for high school students (grades 9–12) who are flexible, curious, and willing to step outside their comfort zone in a culture that may be very different from their own. They are interested in cultural exchange, enjoy working in group settings, and are motivated to participate in service projects and daily life in local Thai communities. This program is an excellent fit for students who enjoy building relationships, working with children, and contributing to meaningful community service, while embracing active days. No previous travel or service experience is necessary. Students who approach new experiences with humility, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn from local communities tend to get the most out of this program.
What makes Thailand a good location for a Putney Student Travel program?
Thailand offers an exceptional combination of rich cultural traditions, welcoming communities, and stunning natural landscapes, making it an ideal setting for immersive educational travel in the Putney model. In northern Thailand, students have the opportunity to live and work alongside local communities, gaining firsthand insight into daily life while contributing to meaningful service projects and practicing cross-cultural exchange. The country's strong sense of community, diverse ethnic cultures, Buddhist traditions, and beautiful mountains and forests create countless opportunities for learning, reflection, and adventure, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of both the world and themselves.
How does the Thailand program compare to Putney’s other Service programs?
Our Thailand program offers one of Putney's most relationship-driven Service experiences, with a strong emphasis on cultural exchange and community connection. While all of Putney's Service programs combine meaningful volunteer work with adventure and cultural immersion, Thailand stands out for the amount of time students spend teaching conversational English, engaging with local students, and living among hill tribe communities in the country's northern highlands. The program is an excellent choice for high school students who want a balanced experience centered on people, cultural immersion, and personal growth as much as labor-based service itself.
Do students need prior experience or specific skills to join this program?
No specific experience or skills are required for success on this service program, aside from coming with an open mind, a willingness to try new things, and participating positively in a supportive, small-group environment.
What outcomes, skills, or growth can students expect to gain from this experience?
Students return from Putney’s Thailand program with greater confidence, adaptability, and cross-cultural understanding after living and working closely with local communities. Teaching conversational English, participating in service projects, and navigating daily life in a different cultural setting help students strengthen their communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Through cultural exchanges, independent projects, and outdoor adventures, they also develop resilience, global awareness, and a deeper appreciation for different perspectives. Students come home with meaningful relationships, lasting memories, and a broader understanding of what it means to be an engaged global citizen.
A Day in the Life: Maekok River Village
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in our host community.
- Morning
7:00am
Enjoy a Thai-style breakfast with your group
8:00am
Head to service sites in groups
9:00am
Teach English lessons and engage in learning activities with local students, or start working on your construction project
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Take a lunch break and play games or relax
1:00pm
Continue your service projects
4:00pm
Go for a trek, journal, or take a dip in the swimming pool
- Evening
6:00pm
Enjoy dinner together as a group
7:30pm
Enjoy nightly games and activities with your group
9:00pm
Have nightly meeting with your group to discuss the day’s activities and upcoming schedule
“While many things are different about the way kids my age live across the world, many things are similar as well. I learned a new way of life.”
—Hannah S., Edgemont High School, Scarsdale, NY
