Hi, everyone!
My name is Bianca Popa and I am a BM6 student going into my second year of medical school.
This summer, I took part in a three-week summer school in northern Thailand with Think Pacific, mainly based in Chiang Mai, with a trip to Chiang Rai. After completing my first year of medical school, I was really looking forward to a much-needed break, and I can honestly say that I do not regret choosing this programme. In fact, I wish more people knew about opportunities like this!
I had a fantastic time abroad, full of adventure, fun and new experiences. Every day brought something different, so I was never bored! I made lots of new friends and created so many memories that I know I will never forget.
Learning about Thai culture and communities
One of the things I really enjoyed about Think Pacific was that it was not simply a holiday. We had the opportunity to engage with Thai communities, social enterprises, conservation organisations and local experts, learning about how culture, business and sustainability connect.
We attended talks from organisations including The Gateway Foundation, Superbee and Maetha Organic Community Enterprise. These experiences helped me develop my communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills while learning about Thailand from people who live and work there.
A big part of the programme was learning about Thai culture and religion. We visited over 12 beautiful temples, learnt about Buddhism and temple etiquette, and even had the opportunity to speak with monks and ask questions about their religion. Visiting the temples was definitely one of my favourite parts of the trip; they were absolutely gorgeous!
We also visited a couple of Thai communities and got to experience their way of life. One of my favourite experiences was spending time with Thai mums, where we cooked together and learnt embroidery and tie-dye. We also visited an Akha tribe community, where we made bracelets, cooked and ate together, learnt about their culture and even had the opportunity to wear their traditional clothing.
Connecting with nature
Another highlight of my trip was being able to spend so much time surrounded by nature. We went on walks and hikes through the mountains, visited waterfalls and experienced some incredible scenery.
One of my favourite experiences was visiting the Sticky Waterfalls in Chiang Mai. Unlike a normal waterfall, the rocks have a unique texture that allows you to actually climb up the waterfall! It was such a fun experience and definitely something I had never done before.
In Chiang Rai, we also visited a waterfall, where we were able to swim. We explored the area by boat and visited the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
We also visited the Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary, where we learnt about ethical tourism and how elephants can be cared for without exploiting them. We helped prepare sugar cane for the elephants and got to observe them in a more natural environment. This was a really memorable experience and taught me a lot about responsible tourism.
Experiencing everyday life in Chiang Mai
Outside of the organised activities, we also had free time to explore Chiang Mai ourselves. We visited night markets, went shopping, tried Thai massages and, most importantly, ate lots of amazing food!
Thai food quickly became one of my favourite parts of the trip. Pad Thai and mango sticky rice were absolutely delicious, and the fresh fruit and fruit smoothies were some of the best I have ever had. If you visit Thailand, the smoothies are definitely a must-try!
The markets were another favourite of mine. I loved how friendly the vendors were, and everything was so affordable that I managed to find something for everyone. I definitely made the most of the shopping opportunities!
Thailand really does deserve its nickname, the “Land of Smiles”. Everyone we met was so friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even more special.
So many activities!
There were so many activities included in the programme that it would be impossible to list them all. We had a Muay Thai session and even watched a Muay Thai fight, took part in a cooking class where we learnt to make five different Thai dishes, did yoga and tried tea tasting.
We visited the famous coconut market, the Opium Museum and an umbrella-making centre, where we got to decorate our own umbrellas. We explored a cave and visited lots of different markets, had a Lanna dance lesson and watched a night show featuring traditional Thai dancing.
One particularly interesting fact I learnt was that Lady Diana visited the same umbrella-making centre in 1988!
Our evenings were just as fun, with activities such as movie nights, quiz nights and arts and crafts. One of the most memorable evenings was visiting the Sunday night market, where I tried a scorpion for the very first time. Surprisingly, it actually wasn’t bad!
The challenges
Of course, being away from home for three weeks was not completely easy. I did experience some homesickness, and the heat and humidity were definitely something to get used to! However, my leaders were incredibly supportive throughout the programme, which made a huge difference.
Looking back, these challenges were completely worth it. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and made the experience even more rewarding.
My favourite memories
If I had to choose just a few favourite memories, I would struggle! I loved climbing the Sticky Waterfalls, visiting the temples, spending time with the Thai mums and exploring the markets.
However, more than anything, I loved the overall experience of being immersed in a completely different culture. From trying new foods and learning some Thai language to meeting local communities and making friends with people from the programme, every day gave me something new to remember.
I would definitely go with Think Pacific again, either as a Volunteer Leader or as a participant in another country. I had the best time and made SO MANY memories!
Overall, this was honestly one of the best summers I have ever had. If you are looking for an experience that combines culture, adventure, nature, learning and lots of fun, I would 100% recommend giving Think Pacific a try. It was a summer I will never forget, and I am already hoping that this won’t be my last adventure with Think Pacific!