PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
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- 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.
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- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
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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 19
สวัสดีค่ะ! (Sawasdee ka!)
Welcome to the Thailand: Career Exploration in Health & Hospitals Internship Blog
We’re so excited to kick off this journey and share the incredible experiences we’ll have over the next 21 days. Our students will get hands-on insight into the medical field while immersing themselves in Thai culture.
Along the way, we’ll explore Bangkok and Chiang Mai, visit an elephant sanctuary, try our hand at Thai cooking, take a traditional Muay Thai class, and relax on the beaches of Koh Samet. We’ll also spend meaningful time in the local community, learning about healthcare systems, shadowing professionals, and participating in service projects.
Most of our group arrived by 6 PM today. We spent time at our hotel getting to know each other over some games of UNO and a game to learn each other’s names. We are waiting for Terri to arrive within the hour and then our team will be complete. We will be sure to share our first full group photo at orientation tomorrow.
Tonight, we shared our first meal together—a classic Thai dish that everyone enjoyed. We celebrated Arya’s 16th birthday as she was traveling here on her special day. Happy Birthday, Arya!
The group is already showing great energy and curiosity. We’re looking forward to watching friendships grow and witnessing the impact this experience will have on each student.
Let the adventure begin!
With excitement,
Gina, Jayme, Victor, Wad, Todd, and the Thailand Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20
Hello parents! Day 2 in Thailand was interesting and eventful. We started off our day at 7:15 with breakfast that we all got to choose ourselves! After that, we headed straight to an orientation led by the GLA staff. We went over expectations, rules, and most importantly, cultural norms. We also played icebreakers and got to know the whole crew a lot better! Most of this was new to all of us, and the cultural aspect really put into perspective the difference in experiences and norms around the world. After the orientation, we stopped at McDonalds, which in case you were wondering, is just as good as American, and then went to a buffet-style lunch!
In the afternoon, we went to two temples. We learned the appropriate cultural expectations for the temples such as taking our shoes off and learning how to pay respect. We also went on a guided tour and learned that monks can be in school as young as 5 years old!
Before our third temple, the Thailand rainy season kicked in, and it spontaneously started pouring. So, we will visit the last temple with bats tomorrow! Then, we had a delicious dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. We made our way back home and were introduced to our mentor groups, where we spent some time getting to know our peers on a more personal level.
More adventures await tomorrow! สวัสดี!
~Carly & Jaben
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21
Today we got to learn a little about each specialty and discussed what we might experience during our rotations. We even received our white lab coats that we are to wear during rotations. Of course, Todd made sure the orientation wasn’t all business. During our breaks, he brought out an awesome selection of Thai snacks for us to try, which made the whole experience even more fun and unique. We then headed off to lunch before our next big adventure of the day.
After lunch, we visited a beautiful temple in the mountains. We had to climb about 300 steps to get there, but the view of Chiang Mai from the top was amazing. After the temple, we went back to home base for dinner. We played a game of ninja tag for about 10-15 minutes before we came together and had our second lesson about our different types of personalities, and what kind of people we are. Overall it was a really fun and fulfilling day and we got to experience and explore a lot while getting to learn more about the culture.
~Leaders of the Day: Olivia & Adam
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22
Today was an exciting day filled with activities. After a group breakfast, we visited a Thai culinary school where we were introduced to local ingredients in the market and gardens, and tried our hand at cooking a five-course meal guided by a Thai chef. We were all delighted by the quality of the food. After eating, we went to a few shopping locations to ensure we were properly equipped for hospital services—one of which was a truly gigantic mall, even compared to American malls. We spent time in small groups exploring. Some students even successfully hunted down some labubus! Following this, we had a 90-minute crash course in Muay Thai martial arts. While it was physically demanding and challenging, it was incredibly rewarding and a worthwhile experience. We were very impressed by the skill and enthusiasm of the instructors. To wrap up the evening, we explored a local night market where we found ourselves dinner and souvenirs.
~Leaders of the day: Lucy & James
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23
Today started off with our usual breakfast of either a traditional Thai or western meal. Since it was our first day in the hospital, we quickly made our way to a private hospital called Rajavej. We were assigned to four different rotations: lab and physical therapy, radiology and emergency room, labour, and ophthalmology. Our morning was spent observing doctors and patients in these specialties before we broke off for lunch. Various meals were enjoyed at a hotel, and a few students were even able to play with some cats! In the afternoon, we took part in our second round of rotations, which were different from our morning ones. The students in the eye observation were even able to see an eye surgery!
Later on, we visited a rural public community hospital, accessible to the entire community. Many members visit for smaller health issues and are able to receive care free of charge. It was amazing to see how much focus they put on health promotion and making care accessible for everyone. After a long day, we came back and enjoyed a delicious catered Thai dinner. We wrapped up the night with a group discussion on cultural humility, which really helped us reflect on what we’d seen and how important it is to stay respectful and open-minded when learning about different healthcare systems. We can’t wait for the opportunities that lie ahead in the upcoming hospitals.
-Leaders of the day: Dana and Mitchell
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24
Hi! Today we woke up at 7:00 AM so we could take the bus to Sarapee hospital for our second day of hospital rotations. At the hospital we learned about the ER as well as OPD and IPD. We then took a drive to a different building of the hospital to do rotations in rehabilitation. In addition to this, we learned about traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture and cupping. Some people were even able to witness a patient stand for the first time in months. For lunch, we ate fried rice and some snacks that our Local Director, Wad generously provided.
After lunch, we visited a clinic, learned how to make herbal compress balls and saw a treatment involving getting massaged by the therapists feet that are placed in hot oil and a fire. After having a little break, we headed out to a restaurant for dinner. We returned and prepared for the cultural exchange tomorrow in a local high school as well as the elementary school health camp. We will teach the elementary students the importance of hand hygiene and perform a dance to the high school. Finally we ended the day with some people going to 7-11 and others going to take a swim in the pool. See you tomorrow!!!
~Leaders of the Day: Julian and Lauren
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25
Today was not a hospital day, but very eventful nonetheless! We started off with breakfast and headed straight to the local elementary school. There, we taught the kids how to wash their hands with a 100% GLA student-taught lesson that started off with a game of tag related to the spreading of germs. Then, we presented our lesson with homemade posters, and had another game where we gave each student paint on their hands, and they ran around high-fiving until everyone’s hands were covered in all different colors, thus representing how quickly germs can spread by contact. We taught them how to properly wash it off by all taking trips to the sink! We ended that visit with a game of duck duck goose and signed many “autographs” for the students.
Our next stop was a restaurant where we ate family-style lunch, and then we went to a smoothie place where many of us got boba!!
We headed to a high school where we exchanged cultures and conversations with the students who were practicing their English! We all bonded with the high schoolers, and many of us got some of their Instagrams. Finally, we headed back to homebase where we had dinner, a lesson from Jayme, and talked in our mentor groups. Off to more hospitals tomorrow!
-Leaders of the Day: Jos and Arya
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26
Today we had a very exciting day where we toured Sankampaeng Hospital. We split up and observed 4 different departments including Thai medicine, mental health, dentistry, and physical therapy. In these departments, we were able to learn a lot about Thai hospital customs as well as the traditional medicine they have been using for centuries. Following this, we explored additional departments such as the ward and emergency room. For lunch, we went to Karin and chose from a variety of Thai and American dishes.
When we got back to home base, a family doctor came and spoke to us about her medical school journey as well as her profession. We learned the ins and outs of family medicine, including both hospital check ins and home visits. We took away that family medicine is a branch of primary care that provides comprehensive healthcare to individuals and families across all ages, genders, and medical conditions. The night ended with some swimming in the pool and a delicious Thai dinner catered to the hotel.
-Leaders of the Day: Maddy and Morgan
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27
Today we woke up at 7:30 and got ready for the day. Then we had breakfast and ironed our lab coats before heading to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai hospital. This hospital works with Chiang Mai University and we got to see some resident students there. Once there, we split into four groups including orthopedics, pediatrics, general medicine, and surgery. We got to meet doctors who specialized in eyes, nose, throat, physical therapy, and kids with learning disabilities. After that, we had lunch at the food court in the hospital. Then it was time for professional photos—individual and group with our lab coats and clipboards. After this we went to the surgical wards and met patients who had heart, brain, and liver surgeries. Then we all headed back to the hotel and went to 7-11 and Lotus. Next was a catered dinner and Gina’s career development lesson, along with a PSA about the elephant sanctuary trip tomorrow. So excited!
~Leaders of the Day: Annie & Terri
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28
We had such an incredible and full day here in Thailand! Our morning began bright and early with a 7:00 AM breakfast before heading out to an elephant sanctuary, one of the highlights of the program so far.
When we arrived, we got to feed the elephants papaya and bananas and take pictures while they enjoyed munching on grass. It was amazing to be up close with these gentle giants and see how calm and curious they were. Next, we made colorful tie-dye bandanas to keep as souvenirs. Then we walked through the sanctuary alongside the elephants, surrounded by vibrant greenery and peaceful views
After a delicious buffet-style lunch, we learned how to make herbal medicine balls used to support the elephants’ health. Later, we cooled off by swimming and bathing the elephants in the river, which was playful, muddy, and so much fun!
Once back at our home base, we enjoyed a delicious catered dinner. In the evening, we gathered for our daily chow circle to reflect, give shout-outs, and build community. We ended the night by planning our upcoming service projects at the boys’ home. We’re excited for what’s to come!
~Leaders of the Day: Nora & Carly
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29
Today we went to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. After a two hour drive, we arrived. When we got there, rain was pouring down on us and the temperature was 12 degrees Celsius.The wind was almost blowing us over. We got ponchos and headed out. Despite the weather, spirits were high as the group found a way to make the most of it. We were led on a walk through a scenic path and it was very peaceful and serene. After that, we were led to a temple and it was very unique and was something I have not seen before. We had lunch at a restaurant on the mountain which consisted of fried trout and fried rice with a side salad. And to top it off, we got smoothies and everything was so good.
After lunch the rain had calmed down as we made our way to a nearby waterfall. There the mist created a breathtaking view. We all took photos and it was something straight out of a movie. We then left and headed back to home base. We had some time to relax and then it was dinner. Afterwards, we had our mentor groups and talked about the trip so far. Today was a relaxing day with lots of fun and we saw lots of beautiful things.
~Leaders of the Day: Arya & Jaben
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
Good morning GLA families!! Today we visited Mae On Hospital, a small public district hospital. In the morning, we received an introduction from one of the doctors about the hospital as well as the region. For the first shift, our groups rotated through pharmacy, wards, the emergency room, and Thai medicine. Our lunch was an assortment of local dishes enjoyed on a nearby farm. We were even able to see some koi fish swimming in a pond!
After lunch, we continued at the hospital with our second shifts, either getting a presentation on emergency medicine, playing games in the pharmacy department, or getting a tour of the inpatient departments. When we got back to the home base, Todd gave us a presentation on the differences between the Thai and American healthcare systems. We were then able to apply our knowledge as we created our own countries with the best perfect healthcare imaginable. For dinner, we enjoyed a pizza night and ended off the day packing for our early flight tomorrow morning!
~Leaders of the Day: Lucy & Adam
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
We traveled from Chiang Mai to Koh Samet today. Because it was a travel day, we did not have leaders of the day. I am sharing a few of our travel/first night at the beach photos. Tomorrow our leaders of the day will share about a special show we had tonight on the beach and about their Wednesday adventures.
~Gina
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Hey GLA! Last night, we finally got to spend some time at the beach, where our highlight was enjoying a fire show put on by some of the locals.Their skills were truly incredible to watch! This morning, we enjoyed a hearty buffet breakfast before heading to a local hospital. Here, we received an engaging presentation on the primary care delivered to both locals and tourists. We then headed to a beautiful beach, but in our excitement, many members of the group forgot to apply sufficient sunscreen.Students and some of the local staff rented a few floaties and spent some time riding them in the ocean. We spent the majority of our day in the sun and returned with slight sunburns and tans. For dinner, we walked to a beachside restaurant that offered both Thai and Western options.The night ended with dessert and some more preparation work for an upcoming service activity.
~Leaders of the Day: Dana & James
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
Today was an amazing day on the beach! The day started out with a late breakfast at the resort and then we were off to the Samet Port to get on a boat and visit the island of Koh Thalu. There we snorkeled and were able to see a ton of amazing coral and schools of fish. After our morning snorkeling adventure we went to the beach on the other side of the island of Koh Thalu where we layed in the sun,had some lunch, and snorkeled off the beach some more! After lunch we got back on the boat and made our way back to the island of Koh Samet off a different beach and spent time snorkeling and swimming in the ocean.
After arriving back from our amazing snorkeling experience, it was time for the Beach Olympics—and it did not disappoint. We didn’t do the typical relay races or sandcastles. Instead, we went all in on over-under challenges with cups, pictionary drawn in the sand, and a bunch of ice breakers that had us laughing non-stop. Everyone got competitive real quick, but it was all good vibes. In the end, Gina’s mentor group came out on top, and they definitely let us know it—with some well-earned bragging rights.
Later, we all headed to dinner at La Lune. It’s this unreal spot overlooking the ocean, and honestly, the timing couldn’t have been better. The view was insane, the food was solid, and it just felt like everything was perfect.
And then came the quadruple wedding. Yup, somehow we went from hanging on the beach to throwing together a full-blown wedding—for four friends. It was chaotic in the best way. After that we packed our bags and went to bed.
-Leaders of the Day: Mitch and Maddy
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Hi friends and family back home!! Today we had a busy first day in our final destination of Bangkok. This morning we drove to a boys home for orphans as well as a safe place for people with physical and mental disabilities. During our time we played a variety of different games as well as engaging in making paper airplanes, making foil art, playing tic tac toe and also dancing! After spending time at the boys home we handed out lunch for them before having lunch of our own. After the boys home we drove to a weekend market where we had time to shop and get food if we wanted. After the busy day we headed back to our home base where we had time to relax before gathering together for a pizza dinner. Finally after dinner we all had a group work session to work on our final presentations which start tomorrow before heading off to bed.
-Leaders of the Day: Julian and Morgan
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Today we woke up early for our tour of Bangkok. After grabbing breakfast at Hungry Browns, we met in the hotel lobby where quite a few people were dress-coded before heading out to our first destination, The Grand Palace. There, we were greeted by our tour guide Nicki (yes, like Nicki Minaj) and began exploring the palace grounds. We saw the stunning Emerald Buddha and admired the largest hand-painted mural in the world. The buildings were breathtaking, decorated with gold leaf and intricate mosaic tiles. Nicki also shared some fascinating history about the current Thai dynasty.
Next, we made our way to Wat Pho, one of the oldest and largest temple complexes in Bangkok. There, we got to see the famous Reclining Buddha, a massive golden statue that was even more impressive in person. Afterward, we walked a short distance to a local restaurant for some traditional Thai food. After lunch we went to Wat Arun. Wat Arun is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is easily one of the most stunning temples we have seen. Although we didn’t stay long due to the heat, it was still a very beautiful experience.
Afterwards we headed back to our hotel but of course got hit with some typical Bangkok traffic. Once we arrived, we had a few hours to rest and recharge. In the evening, we grabbed a quick dinner before gathering as a group for student Final Project presentations. It was great to see everyone’s hard work come together and be shared with the group.
~Leaders of the Day: Olivia & Annie
BLOG POST FOR JULY 8
Hello for the final time friends and family! These past two days have been busy, but also a little emotional.
Yesterday, we had a hospital rotation in one of Bangkok’s biggest public hospitals. We had the opportunity to watch surgeries, enter the pharmacy, and even observe in the labor and delivery unit. At lunch, we had a Q&A with one of Thailand’s doctors, and got to ask a range of questions. Then, for dinner we went to a Michelin Star restaurant! The night concluded with many presentations about how to improve Thai healthcare.
This morning marks our last day. We started off with another hospital, this time private. In the morning, we did an ER and Chinese Medicine rotation. In the afternoon, we all took a CPR and Heimlich Maneuver class. There, we practiced on both mannequins and each other (with proper safety precautions of course). When we returned to the hotel, we got to packing. Then, we all got dressed up for our final dinner and took tons of pictures together. The night ended with the majority of our eyes tearing up, but also grateful for the past three weeks. Thank you all for your support and helpfulness through this entire process. We will begin heading out on flights back to you all starting at 3:30 am tomorrow morning! With that, the Thailand Internship group of June 2025 is signing off!
-Leaders of the Day: Josalyn and Lauren
