Never Seen Thailand

Did you ever see that movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio? Well that beautiful island is in Thailand and you could be heading that way. Sadly, you won't really be living on that secluded island, but do you remember the part in the beginning of the movie where Leo drinks the snake blood? That was in the bustling city of Bangkok, and that is where you will be spending your time in Thailand.

I found a program through the Volunteer Abroad Web site where you could spend up to 12 weeks in Thailand. The minimum duration would be one to two weeks if you cant take off three months.

During this program you will be participating in programs to develop medicinal plants and you will be working a lot with farmers. You will be working with seed distribution, learning and helping to prevent erosion, and working in the nurseries, basically everything you can do to help local farmers with crop development.

The nurseries that you will be working in are going to produce valuable seeds that will help with reforestation efforts. You will be working with other volunteers and the local village populations.

The Web site explains that this program is not "conventional" because it deals with complete "immersion." You will be working and living with th locals everyday and all day.

"There is no way that you cannot learn about a culture when you dedicate yourself to fitting in with the locals," said 23-year-old Benjamin Streeter, who has studied abroad in two different countries.

The program is looking for any volunteers over the age of 18. You can go with friends or family, and they accept people from all over the world. What I felt was unique about this program, is that when you arrive you tell them what you are interested in working with and they will try to fit you into a group that suits your interests.

The Web site calls it a "life challenging" experience. I think the longer you can stay the better, food and accommodation are taken care of.