Magical Moments with Elephants and Best Friends!

Volunteering abroad with GVI in Chiang Mai, Thailand was a dream come true! I will always cherish the moment I saw an elephant for the first time in its natural habitat. Working with the Elephants in an ethical way and learning about environmental and wildlife conservation has been very insightful. I learned so much about the elephant tourism industry and the environments in SouthEast Asia. While volunteering in Chiang Mai, I also got to spend time engaging with the community from teaching English to the children in the village and the homestay families, to sitting down with an elder in the village and hearing stories that have been in their culture for generations. What I experienced was full cultural immersion and countless magical moments and memories that will stay with me forever. I also became incredibly close with the other volunteers, making lifelong friends that I keep in contact with. GVI is more than just a volunteer abroad experience; it leaves you with a new family, new life skills, and incredible growth. I can't recommend this program enough!