Appleby College Trips Report

12 – 24 March 2016

In March 2016, the Visiting Schools Program and the Barge Program welcomed thirteen students and two teachers from Appleby College for their cultural trip to Thailand. This year Appleby centered their attention toward Global Education Values for their students.

To achieve this aim their program took them to Chiang Rai province, where the group learned about the inspiring work of the Thai Royal Family at the Doi Tung Foundation and the Chiang Rai Opium Museum. Both locations were a collaborative effort to educate about and exhibit the region’s struggle against the dependence on growing opium in the past and its devastating consequences for the people and society of Chiang Rai.

“I like the Opium Museum… I learned a lot about the current and past issues associated with the drug. I am more aware about the discrimination and the blames that the Hill Tribe people are enduring.” – Jenny

The group also spent a day at the Asian Elephant Foundation, where they learnt about this magnificent species that is a core part of the Thai Culture and the struggle that the country faced fighting against elephant abuse within the logging industry in the past, exploitative tourism in the present as well as the alarming practice of tusk poaching.

“I loved the visit to the Asian Elephant Foundation. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will always remember. It has made me more aware of world issues and has given me a new found appreciation for Thailand.” – Madison

Appleby also participated in a theatre workshop with the Makhampom Foundation. They learned how to use powerful alternative media to raise awareness of social issues within a community and visited a hill tribe where this has been put into practice. This perhaps was a highlight of the trip as many students commented on the impact they felt this cultural exchange has provided for both the host and visitors.

“This program was an absolutely unforgettable experience for students and teachers alike. We had so many opportunities to experience Thailand in a genuine way. The experiences are full of adventure, culture, education, and fun. It was the best school trip I have ever been a part of.” – Ms. Christina Meagher