Thailand Civic Semester 2024
Do you have a passion or a dream to bring positive change to different societies and communities? Does making an impact through social change inspire you? At Tufts, the Tisch College of Civic Life offers selected students the opportunity to join the Civic Semester program, with locations in both Peru and Thailand. As part of the Civic Semester cohort in Thailand, I’d love to share a glimpse into our experience here.
From the moment we landed at Chiang Mai International Airport, the excitement among me and my 10 friends was undeniable; it felt like we had awakened in our own paradise. After a much-needed rest following our long flight from Boston, we started exploring the old city by taking a ride in a songthaew (a red truck open at the back for a full view of the beautiful scenery). Later, some of us tried a ride on a tuk-tuk, which was described as bumpy, shaky, and incredibly fun. Both rides cost about 30 Baht per person (roughly $1).
Our program house is centrally located in Chiang Mai, giving us a perfect base to explore the city. We’ve even tried sessions in the art of Muay Thai, a thrilling activity that tested our physical and mental endurance. Several excursions took us to nearby villages, where we connected one-on-one with community members and learned about their rich cultural practices. We took part in weaving, embroidery, fabric dying, and even planting and weeding. We were also honored to participate in village celebrations, where we performed our cherished song, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," while the community shared their traditional music and dances—a truly magical experience.
Despite most communities we visited in Northern Thailand speaking a local dialect, our Thai language classes have been invaluable for enhancing our communication skills. We even hiked Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s tallest mountain, enjoying both the cold and the incredible views. Some of us had the opportunity to experience traditional Thai massages, which were as relaxing as they were therapeutic. Since our orientation on July 1, we’ve forged strong friendships and shared countless adventures. We’ve also explored various cuisines—from Chinese and Japanese to Indian, Mexican, and, of course, Thai. Every morning, the students would prepare breakfast, and I had the pleasure of making chapati, my favorite Kenyan dish, which was well-received by everyone.
Thailand’s intense heat often inspired us to cool off at local swimming pools. We’ve also enjoyed the unique charm of the 7/11 stores, which are both convenient and affordable, and the bustling Sunday Night Market, known for its affordability and wide selection of quality items. Recently, we visited an elephant sanctuary, where we fed and bathed the elephants—a memory I’ll cherish. On our first day, one of our instructors gave us the nickname Luuk Chang, meaning "young elephants," a tribute to our Tufts Jumbos identity, which made the experience all the more special.
This summary only scratches the surface of our experiences so far, not to mention the beautiful temples we’ve visited and the meaningful conversations with monks. And this is just the first half of our stay—the second half promises even more unforgettable moments, and I can’t wait to share them all!
