Thailand: Intro to Community Service

Thailand: Intro to Community Service

Engage in rural Thai life during an exciting blend of service and culture at our hub in Southeast Asia. This program offers six service projects to choose from each week: Welcome Homes, Meals on Flip Flops, Bobbing and Floating, English Exchange, Teaching and Tutoring, and Hands in the Dirt. Developed over many years with our partners in the region, these service projects produce life-changing experiences for our students and long-term outcomes for the communities. Choose from several exciting side-trip options during your stay to elevate your experience and maximize your summer in Southeast Asia.

Students love getting to engage with local Thai people in a meaningful way!

Future Travel Dates To Come

Program Profile
  • Country:
  • Department:
    Student Travel
  • Duration:
    16 Days
  • Ages:
    13-15
  • Cost:
    $4,995 plus Airfare
  • Service Hours:
    39
  • At-A-Glance:

    Accomodation Amenities

    Adventure/Physicality

    Educational Activities

    On-Program Travel

Program Profile
  • Country:
  • Department:
    Student Travel
  • Duration:
    16 Days
  • Ages:
    13-15
  • Cost:
    $4,995 plus Airfare
  • Service Hours:
    39
  • At-A-Glance:

    Accomodation Amenities

    Adventure/Physicality

    Educational Activities

    On-Program Travel

A Place That Changes Lives

Located in northeastern Thailand, the rural Thailand Service Base is a modern oasis amid traditional Thai life. Surrounded by terraced rice fields and village homes, students have the opportunity to witness traditional, rural Thai life.

Due to our long-standing relationship with the local communities, we’re able to offer students an all-encompassing experience. Home to some of our most popular programs, including Intro to Community Service and Community Health and Wilderness First Aid, this base house provides a comfortable setting to introduce students to international travel.

Live at Rural Thailand Service Base

Here is a detailed packing list for your time in Southeast Asia this summer. Packing the right gear (and not too much of it) is the first step to an incredible travel experience. Remember that you’ll be responsible for carrying your belongings everywhere you go, so PACK LIGHT! If your bag weighs more than 35 pounds, you’ve overpacked!

Weather in Southeast Asia

Summer in Southeast Asia is known as the “rainy season” or the “green season”—days are generally hot and humid, with brief and refreshing showers that keep the land very lush and green. Temperatures sometimes cool off once the sun goes down, making for more pleasant evenings. Because of the heat, you’ll need to drink a lot more water than you’re used to drinking to stay hydrated! Your clothes should be able to get wet, dirty, and / or destroyed during service work and program activities.

Important Notes About Your Luggage

Airlines in Southeast Asia have weight restrictions for checked and carry-on luggage. Please limit your checked luggage to no more than 33lbs (15kg) and your carry-on luggage to 15lbs (7kg). For your one checked bag, a backpacking backpack or a duffel bag that is easy to carry are perfect. Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on bag complies with the carry-on regulations of the TSA. Lastly, remember to leave your valuables or prized possessions at home. It’s easier for things to get lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling.

Our Dress Code Expectations in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian cultures are very conservative. Despite the hot climate, people in these parts of the world show less skin than in many Western cultures, and you’ll rarely see low-cut shirts or short shorts in rural communities. As we seek to respect and preserve the culture of the communities we work with, we ask that our students dress conservatively while in country. If you’re not wearing proper attire, we’ll ask you to change your clothes or abstain from the service project of the day.

To dress respectfully in Southeast Asia, please bring loose-fitting pants or shorts that cover just above the knees (think basketball length). Bring basic t-shirts that cover your shoulders, and please leave all tank tops, cut off shirts, low-cut, see-through, or crop tops at home. As mentioned in our packing lists, yoga pants and leggings are not appropriate because they are too form-fitting. The key is to show less skin and to stay cool by wearing loose-fitted clothing. Check out these tips about how to pack for culturally-immersive travel and why Rustic cares about preserving a conservative dress code on our programs.

Temple Visits

Personal hygiene is important in Southeast Asia, so when visiting temples we want to clean up more than while doing service. Wearing modest, clean clothes that cover the knees and shoulders is a must, as per usual. Being respectful is the name of the game!

Laundry

Access to laundry can vary, but most programs find access once a week, though not guaranteed. If you’re getting laundry done in a village or rural town, expect to pay $1-2 per kg. If you’re at a hotel, it can be up to $20 per load.

Carry-On

A school backpack is ideal as it will be used for day trips. Include the following:

• Passport!
• Photocopy of passport
• Visa documentation
• Consent to Travel form
• Rustic Pathways emergency contacts list
• Additional community service forms if needed
• Wallet / money
• Pens and journal
• Book
• Phone
• Chargers
• Outlet power converter (for transit only! Thailand uses the same plugs as the USA–just make sure all electronics are compatible with 220v)
• Camera
• Earbuds / Ear plugs
• Reusable water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Medication
• One change of clothing

Checked Luggage

A 50- to 70-liter duffel bag or backpack is ideal.

Clothing

• 2-3 pairs of lightweight pants, jeans (too hot to wear often) or capris; leggings are not culturally appropriate as they are too form-fitting
• 2-3 pairs of shorts/skirts, which must go to the knees or longer
• 5-7 tops (t-shirts and sports shirts) – they can be cotton, or quick-dry shirts like capilene or polypropylene; tank tops are generally not acceptable unless for time at the pool or beach; keep in mind you’ll find cool t-shirts and other clothing at markets you’ll visit throughout the summer, which can supplement the tops you bring over
• 2-3 light, long sleeve t-shirts – breathable is best for the sun and certain areas of the region can get buggy or chilly (if you’re lucky!) at night
• 1 lightweight hoodie – most likely needed on flights, in movie theaters, or in airports. Most people will be fine without one
• 8-10 pairs of underwear – quick-dry material is best
• 4-7 pairs of socks – lightweight cotton or quick dry athletic socks are best
• 2 swimsuits – two piece suits are fine but need to be very modest
• 1 sarong / shawl / lightweight towel (not white!) – many accommodations will have towels for you to use, but it is handy to have something of your own for sitting poolside or visiting a waterfall
• A nice casual outfit – for special end of program dinners.

Important Items

• Flashlight or headlamp – rechargeable batteries are preferable
• Ultra-lightweight rainproof jacket – fear not if you don’t have one; ponchos are widely available and do a better job!
• Hat – for the sun
• Strappy sandals – like Tevas or Chacos
• Comfortable flip-flops or crocs – footwear that is easy to clean and easy to take on and off (you’ll be amazed at how often you’ll be taking your shoes off and on!); cheap flip-flops and crocs are widely available in Asia for a fraction of the cost
• Closed-toed athletic shoes – shoes that dry quickly, that you can hike short distances in and that protect your feet are best; shoes will get muddy and dirty, so don’t bring your favorite pair.
• A color photocopy of your passport

Toiletries

Most general toiletries are available throughout the region at a fraction of the cost. We suggest packing all items that could leak in a plastic or ziploc bag.

• Deodorant
• Shampoo and soap – you may want to bring biodegradable or natural soap and shampoo, but they’re not required
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent – we suggest a natural option or something with DEET
• Hydrocortisone/anti-itch cream or after bite
• Hand sanitizer – 1 small bottle; we don’t want you getting sick this summer!
• Contact lenses and solution
• Oxybenzone-free sunscreen (reef-safe) and aloe vera – good quality sunscreen is not readily available in Southeast Asia and is expensive!
• Feminine hygiene supplies – tampons aren’t widely available in Southeast Asia; past staff have suggested trying a diva cup; we recommend you bring what you think you will need for the duration of the program

Additional and Optional Items

• Local language phrasebook
• Deck of cards, portable games
• Digital camera – waterproof style shock resistant cameras are great for our programs; again, do not depend on your phone –  we encourage our students to disconnect from their phones while on program.
• Pictures of family and friends

Important Reminders

• Please cover your shoulders and knees while in Southeast Asia.

• Dressing respectfully is very important. Southeast Asian culture is conservative, with ancient customs based mostly on Buddhism. Regardless of gender, Rustic students should be wearing loose Bermuda or basketball length shorts or pants. Please leave short-shorts at home, as well as leggings, which are too form-fitting. T-shirts should cover the chest and shoulders, nothing low cut, and no undergarments should ever be showing.