The Way of the Elephant
A cross-cultural learning journey through Thailand

International Youth Travel and Cultural Immersion Program
February-March 2004

Expeditions provide youth with an opportunity to make inquires into another culture while gaining a deeper understanding of their own. Through community service projects, one experiences the joy in serving others. Our immersion programs are available for individuals, groups, and schools.

Beginning of February through the first week of March 2004.
(Space is limited to 8-12 international participants. Early inquiries are encouraged.)

Monk in Ayuthaya

Monk making Nang Yai shadow puppets

Buddhist nun at King's Palace

UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM
Components of the trip:
Trip is based on three sections: Orientation, Traveling and Evaluation 
Orientation- To strengthen group dynamics and create a framework of trust among group with hands-on projects and activities at The Whispering Seed Home Land.
Traveling- Choosing a specific itinerary, traveling to meaningful and driven groups and projects around the country, such as;

• Alternative Educations schools and projects

•  Home for orphaned and abused children

• The Elephant hospital

• Sustainable communities

• Buddhist communities and temple

•  Hill tribe elders and Indigenous groups in their villages

•  Living in the village and temple and home stay Local people
  
  We will also be participating in;
  

•  International conference on alternative education

•  Working with children’s projects and volunteer at the local village school, teaching English, Non-competitive games

•  Natural building project, play with clay

•  Alternative energy Project 

•  A village based storytelling

• Buddhist ceremonies and festivals

•  Traditional Thai ceremonies and performances, theatre and dance

•  Workshops on traditional Thai craft with local artists

•  Cooking your own Thai food in Thai host kitchen

•  Helping in the organic farm, harvest wild vegetables and herbs, plant fruit tree

•  Spinning and weaving cotton and silk with indigenous women’s group

• Vipassana, meditation and yoga 

Evaluation- A formal evaluation process will be used to debrief the individuals and their learning experiences. Throughout the trip students are expected to;

• Keep a journal of their experiences

• Choose an individual Project 

• Write the reflection paper

•  Participate in creating group portfolio

•  Plan opportunities to present their work when they return home to their community

Nang Yai, traditional Thai puppet theatre

Bai Sri welcoming ceremony at Moo Baan Dek

Karen Hilltribe Dance

Floating market outside of Bangkok

Snorkeling at the beach in the south

Fun at Erawan waterfall!!

A kiss for a sick elephant

CURRENT ITINERARY

• Orientation at The Whispering Seed Home Land 

• The 4th Global Community Gathering and visit three projects working with orphaned and abused children. Moo Ban Dek (Children’s Village School for 150      unprivileged children), Ban Thor Phan (Make Dreams Come True, family home for 30 abusive and orphaned children) and The Whispering Seed. More information www.childrenvillageschool.com/globalgather.html and www.ffc.or.th/gg

• The Elephant Conservation Center and Hospital in Lumpang. This is the only Elephant Hospital in the world. They work with elephants through art therapy, painting, playing music and walking freely in the jungle surrounding the center.

• Mirror Art Group Projects in Chiangrai: This NGO works with Hilltribe people in an effort to battle inevitable exploitation of the Hilltribe culture by the Thai tourist industry. They also have other projects;, Thai citizenship, Volunteer Teacher, Voice of Clay workshop, Project to Combat Trafficking in Women and Children, Anti-Drug Community Network and more www.thebangkok.com/projects/index.htm

• Ayuttaya, The ancient Buddhist Capital, ride the bike around the ruin city and meet with and artist who makes puppet for Khon, traditional performance theatre

• Floating market, Ratchaburi: One of the largest floating markets, Experience a way of life along the river which has not changed much over the course of time.

• Travel to Karen Hilltribe Elder’s Village by long tail boat and learn about traditional way of living and experience traditional methods of farming

• Travel to the beach in the south of Thailand and visit the Nature School for Hilltribe children living in the forest

• Visit Mun Yuen Community, the first sustainable living community in Thailand built by displaced villagers from the flooding from Pak Moon Dam

• Harmony Community to learn Vipassana meditation, survey the river and visit a permaculture farm

• The beach in the South for evaluation

• Bangkok: Visit the Rattanakosin Palace Temple, Royal field, Government Office, Forts, Canals, Antiques, Democratic University 
  
  * Itinerary is flexible to change*
  

  Cooking in traditional Hilltribe house

  Storytelling with local students

  Making fruit salad as Buddhist meditation

  Moscow International Film School heading to Bangkok

  
  
  Funding supports local and grassroots organizations in Thailand
  Our immersion programs allow students to directly experience the daily rhythm of life in Thai society, while directly interacting with the local people. As we travel, we stay in the homes of the local people and cook traditional meals with them. Funding from the project goes directly to support these communities in the ways they choose. Funds also will support a Thai youth to join the program. 
  
  Cost: $1600-1800 USD which includes all transportation within Thailand and all accommodation, including meals and housing while in the program. Airfare is not included in this cost. We will need 8 people for the low end price. If the fee is beyond your reach, we encourage you to ask for sponsorship from friends, family, schools and organizations you are affiliated with who would be interested in supporting this learning journey. Any extra income from this trip will assist The Whispering Seed to acquire the land for the orphanage and to support local Thai communities and youth. 
  
  Registration
  To register email whisperingseed@wildmail.com  Please include the following information questions and 2 letters of recommendation. 
  
  1. Where did you hear about The Way of the Elephant Learning Journeys and what sparked your interest in the program? 
  2. Working with the Group. Have you ever traveled overseas? Worked with a group? What are your current passions and interests and how will you share them  
        with the group and others we meet? What do you feel you will be able to contribute to the program? 
  3. Learning Goals. What do you want to know that you do not presently know? How do you want to be different than you are now? What do you hope to gain 
       from your experience in this cultural immersion experience?
  4. Individual Project. What topics or areas of interest would you like to explore for your individual project throughout the trip?
  5. How do you plan to pay for the trip?
  
  Please include your name, address, age, ancestry and anything else you would like to add.
  
  A 1 hour Video from the first expedition which brought 12 high school students from Upattinas School and Resource Center in the US to Thailand for 5 weeks in 2002 is available.
  
  For more information email us at: whisperingseed@wildmail.com
  

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