Elly's Blog

To be quite honest, our immersion trip to Thailand was not perfect. We did not always munch on beautifully prepared dishes, we did not always travel through cool, temperate country sides, and we did not always get along despite the fact that the majority of us have been friends for four years. There was food poisoning, heat stroke, arguments, and annoyances. By the end of the trip, it seemed as though everyone was ready to return home. But through this trip, I think we all learned something new about ourselves. By feeling uneased by our surroundings, we grew to be so much more comfortable in our own skins. I think I would have been happy to stay a couple more weeks.

There was also an abundance of good things. We had the opportunity to re-explore and rekindle friendships that had faded over time. Some of us even put aside old stereotypes to find a hidden persona in someone that we thought we had all figured out. We visited palaces, we went “island hopping,” we kayaked, and boxed, and slept in floating bungalows. We caught tree frogs, bravely chased off snakes and spiders, watched dusty langurs swing from tree top to tree top, and gained a new found appreciation for rice bowls. Thailand, the land of smiles, was spectacular!
For me, such a trip would not have been possible had I not received so much financial aid from High Tech High International and World School. Well over half of my trip was paid for. I worked over 40 hours in the community to be considered for the scholarships. Time flew by, believe me and I cannot begin to express my sincere gratitude. If someone in my poor financial situation can raise enough money to travel to a place as far-off as Thailand, any one can. I am utterly grateful.

I think that the most valuable thing I walked away with from this trip is that any day that starts with banana pancakes is going to be really good. Aside from that, I think that finding a way to live in the moment is the best way to find fulfillment in anything. There’s too much disappointment in the ever-changing future and the solidified past. But if you make it a point to be conscious all of the time and not just think of what’s coming next, you’re ultimately going to run into something life changing. And overall, I think everybody needs a little change because, as Alvin Toffler says, “Change is the process by which the future invades our lives, and it is important to look at it closely, not merely from the grand perspectives of history, but also from the vantage point of the living, breathing individuals who experience it.”

Elly Brown
High Tech High International

Thailand 2008

World School Thailand

Welcome to the World School Thailand Blog. Be sure to check back to read about student travel experiences, see photos, and get in touch with people around the globe.