Arrive in Chiang Mai, the historic heart of Northern Thailand and former capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Surrounded by mountains and filled with ancient temples, colourful neighbourhoods, bustling markets and incredible street food, Chiang Mai is the perfect place to begin your Global Futures journey.

Meet your Programme Leaders and fellow students, settle into your accommodation and take some time to recover from your journey. Head out to explore the local area, experience your first sights, sounds and flavours of Thailand, and start getting to know the group you’ll be sharing the next 18 days with.

It’s a relaxed first day to find your feet, settle into a completely new environment and get excited for the adventure ahead.

Travel into the countryside to Huai Lan, a peaceful rural community surrounded by forest, farmland and reservoir.

Settle into your comfortable lodge, close to the community and enjoy the slower pace as you experience a more traditional side of Northern Thailand.

Take part in your Global Futures programme briefing and interactive orientation sessions exploring Thai culture, language, customs and traditions. Through team activities and local insight, you’ll begin building confidence, getting to know your group and preparing for the experiences ahead.

Later, meet members of the Huai Lan community, learn more about everyday life in the community and discover the values and traditions that shape local life. Finish the day with a traditional welcome ceremony and shared dinner, a memorable first step into community life in Northern Thailand.

Spend a full day experiencing life around Huai Lan, building connections with your team and learning alongside members of the local community.

Take part in shared activities and team challenges, learn how to prepare traditional Northern Thai food, and discover local skills, customs and ways of life through hands-on experiences.

Later, venture into the surrounding countryside to explore nearby caves, temples and natural landscapes, learning more about the close connection between community, Buddhism and the environment. It’s a day to slow down, get involved and experience rural Northern Thailand through the people who call it home.

Spend your final morning in Huai Lan discovering more of the skills, crafts and traditions that continue to shape everyday life in the community.

Example activities include picking cotton and traditional thread spinning with local artisans, or learning bamboo and rattan crafting, creating small woven souvenirs such as rice boxes. See how practical skills, creativity and cultural knowledge are passed between generations and continue to play a role in local identity and livelihoods.

After lunch, say farewell to the community and travel back to Chiang Mai, where you’ll settle into your city accommodation for the next stage of the programme. With the evening free to relax or explore locally, it’s a chance to enjoy the contrast between rural community life and the energy of Chiang Mai.

Step inside Chiang Mai’s historic Old City and explore some of its most important temples, including Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. Discover the history, beliefs and traditions that have shaped Northern Thailand and continue to influence everyday life today.

In the afternoon, meet a local social-impact organisation and learn directly from the people behind its work. Explore the challenges they are addressing, the communities they support and the ideas they are using to create positive change. This visit will also introduce the themes and real-world issues that will shape your Global Futures Action Project.

Example: Gateway Foundation in Chiang Mai supports women and young adults from challenging backgrounds to build greater independence, develop new skills and create opportunities for their future.

Finish the day with a traditional Lanna cultural dinner and dance performance, a memorable introduction to the food, music and heritage of Northern Thailand.

Visit Payap University and gain a different perspective on contemporary life in Northern Thailand.

Explore themes such as society, social enterprise, community development and the changing opportunities facing the region through discussion and learning with locally based academics and practitioners.

Later, head into the kitchen for a hands-on Thai cooking experience, discovering the ingredients, flavours and techniques behind some of the country’s best-known dishes.

Journey high into the mountains of Doi Inthanon National Park, a spectacular landscape of mist-covered peaks, dense forests and cascading waterfalls, crowned by Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand.

Spend the day hiking through changing mountain scenery, following forest trails and stopping at impressive waterfalls and viewpoints along the way. As you climb higher, experience a cooler, greener side of Thailand far removed from the busy streets of Chiang Mai.

The mountains are also home to diverse highland communities whose cultures and livelihoods have been shaped by this environment for generations. Along the journey, learn more about life in the region and explore the connections between community, agriculture, conservation and tourism in one of Northern Thailand’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

Meet one of our local social enterprise partners and discover how its work connects with the surrounding community and positive social and environmental impact.

Example – Learn how SuperBee tackles single-use plastic while creating fair employment opportunities for local women and supporting the surrounding community.

Learn directly from the people behind the organisation, explore the challenges they are addressing and consider how enterprise, innovation and local action can create positive change.

In the afternoon, experience another important part of Thai culture with an introduction to Muay Thai, learning the basic techniques, traditions and discipline behind Thailand’s national sport.

Discover Chiang Mai’s creative side with a visit to Baan Kang Wat, a leafy artisan community filled with independent studios, cafés, workshops and small local businesses. Meet makers, explore handmade crafts and see how traditional skills are being reimagined by a new generation of Thai creatives.

Continue to one of Chiang Mai’s traditional umbrella-making centres, where artisans still use techniques associated with Northern Thailand’s Lanna heritage. Learn how the umbrellas are made and painted before creating your own design to take home, a hands-on way to connect with the region’s artistic traditions and contemporary creative culture.

Spend the day with ChangChill, exploring what a more ethical and responsible future for elephant tourism can look like. Rather than riding, bathing or directly interacting with elephants, observe them from a respectful distance as they roam, forage and socialise naturally.

Learn from local carers about elephant behaviour and welfare, as well as the complex history of elephants in Thailand and the transition away from traditional tourism practices. Discover how responsible tourism can support both animal welfare and local livelihoods, while considering the role travellers, communities and tourism businesses all play in driving positive change.

It’s a powerful real-world example of how tourism can evolve — and how the choices we make as travellers can have a genuine impact.

Head out of Chiang Mai to experience one of the region’s most unusual natural attractions, the famous Sticky Waterfalls. Surrounded by forest, these cascading falls flow over mineral-rich limestone that creates a naturally grippy surface, allowing you to climb directly over the rocks and through the rushing water. Spend time exploring, cooling off and enjoying a fun outdoor experience with your group.

Later, return to the city for a very different insight into Thai life and culture. Meet Buddhist monks in an authentic and informal setting, guiding by our local Thai team. Ask questions and learn more about Buddhism, meditation, monastic life and the beliefs that influence everyday life across Thailand. It’s an opportunity for genuine conversation, cultural exchange and a deeper understanding.  This has been one of the most impactful experiences for past participants, with facilitated discussion helping students feel comfortable asking questions, sharing perspectives and engaging openly.

Bring together everything you have learned through your Global Futures Action Project.

Return to your partner organisation and share your team’s ideas, observations and reflections. Hear directly from the organisation, receive feedback and discuss how different perspectives can contribute to real-world challenges.

Later, journey into the mountains above Chiang Mai to visit the iconic Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Take in sweeping views across the city before following part of the historic Monk’s Trail through the forest, a memorable end to your time in Chiang Mai.

Leave Chiang Mai behind and journey deeper into Northern Thailand on a three-night adventure through mountain landscapes, remote communities and the culturally diverse borderlands around Chiang Do.

Staying in local guesthouse and lodges, travel through dramatic countryside, explore caves and hilltop temples, visit tea-growing regions and discover communities shaped by Lanna, Chinese-Yunnanese and indigenous traditions. Along the way, learn how history, migration, agriculture and geography have influenced life in Thailand’s far north.

Experience local culture first-hand, meet people living and working across the region, and discover how communities are balancing tradition, tourism, enterprise and their relationship with the natural environment for three days of adventure, discovery and a completely different perspective on Thailand.

Spend your final full day in Chiang Mai at a slower pace, with time to pack, explore local markets, pick up souvenirs and enjoy some last moments in the city.

Later, come together with your group for a Global Futures debrief, reflecting on the people you’ve met, the challenges you’ve explored, the experiences that surprised you and the perspectives you’ll take home.

Finish the programme with a farewell dinner, a chance to celebrate the journey, share favourite memories and enjoy one final evening together in Northern Thailand.

After breakfast, check out and depart at any time for your flight home or onward travels in Thailand.

Say goodbye to your team and leave with unforgettable memories, new friendships, fresh perspectives and lessons that will stay with you long after the journey ends.

Included

Welcome & Orientation

• Airport pickup when arriving within our recommended arrival times
• Programme welcome and briefing
• Cultural orientation covering Thai customs, traditions and language
• Team-building activities and preparation for the programme ahead
• Two nights at a rural lodge near the Huai Lan community

Accommodation

• Comfortable hotels in Chiang Mai, usually twin-share
• Rural lodge accommodation during the cultural orientation
• Locally run guesthouses and lodges during the Northern Thailand adventure
• Rooms may accommodate up to four participants
• Think Pacific Programme Leaders staying alongside the team throughout

Meals

• Two meals per day as standard, usually breakfast plus lunch or dinner
• Welcome and farewell dinners
• Traditional Lanna cultural dinner
• Meals during specified community and rural experiences
• Participants should budget separately for meals not included

Culture, Adventure & Wellbeing

• Rural community experience in Huai Lan
• Traditional Thai cooking experience
• Buddhist temples and Chiang Mai Old City
• Traditional welcome ceremony
• Lanna crafts, food and cultural activities
• Doi Inthanon National Park and waterfalls
• Sticky Waterfalls
• Introduction to Muay Thai
• Monk chat and insight into Buddhist life
• Baan Kang Wat artisan community
• Traditional umbrella-making workshop
• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the Monk’s Trail
• Responsible elephant experience at ChangChill
• Chiang Mai markets, cafés and independent exploration
• Three-night Northern Thailand adventure

Learning & Development

• Visits and experiences with locally based organisations
• Workshops with social enterprises, universities and community partners
• Insight into Thai society, sustainability and community development
• Exploration of responsible tourism, enterprise and environmental issues
• Global Futures Action Project
• Team presentation to a local partner organisation
• Project feedback, reflection and programme debrief
• Development of confidence, teamwork, adaptability and intercultural communication

Support & Safety

• 24/7 support from Think Pacific Programme Leaders
• Experienced local guides and Thailand-based partners
• In-country management and pastoral support
• Programme briefings, risk assessments and regular check-ins
• Support throughout activities, excursions and transfers
• Final programme reflection and debrief

In-Country Travel

• In-country transport throughout the programme
• Airport pickup at scheduled arrival times
• Transfers between accommodation, activities and programme locations
• Transport throughout Chiang Mai and the surrounding region
• All transport during the Northern Thailand adventure

Pre-Departure Support

• Email and telephone support
• Dedicated UK Programme Coordinator
• Comprehensive online preparation portal
• Live pre-departure webinars
• Group communication and personal guidance
• Cultural, travel and programme preparation
• Certificate of Completion

Not Included

The following items are not included in your programme fee, but our team will provide guidance and support before you travel:

• International Flights — typically around £700–£1,000, depending on your departure airport, travel dates and when you book.
• Travel Insurance — typically around £50–£100. We’ll provide guidance on the level of cover required.
• Visa or Entry Requirements — requirements and any associated costs depend on your nationality and the rules in place when you travel. Many UK passport holders may be eligible for visa-free entry for short visits.
• Vaccinations and Travel Health Costs — costs vary depending on your circumstances and the advice you receive from a qualified healthcare professional.
• Meals Not Included — two meals per day are provided as standard. You’ll need to budget for one additional meal on most days.
• Personal Expenses — including drinks, snacks, laundry, a local SIM or eSIM, souvenirs and optional activities.
• Independent Travel — any accommodation, transport or activities arranged before or after the programme are not included.

Spending Money

You’ll mainly need spending money for a small number of meals, drinks, snacks, laundry, a local SIM or eSIM, souvenirs and other personal purchases.

As a guide, we recommend budgeting around £200–£300 for the full 18-day programme. You may wish to bring more if you plan to shop, join optional activities or continue travelling in Thailand after the programme.

This programme is open to anyone aged 18+, with most participants aged 18–24.

The majority of our participants are university students, but we also welcome graduates, gap year students or anyone looking for a meaningful summer experience.

Global Futures is designed as a university global mobility programme and is eligible for funding through our large network of long term university partners. See our Funding Guide for more information on available grants and support for your university.

The programme is particularly suited to students who want to:

• Experience another culture more deeply & authentically.
• Build confidence travelling internationally
• Explore sustainability and global issues
• Develop employability and interpersonal skills
• Meet local organisations and changemakers
• Challenge themselves through adventure
• Become more globally aware
• Add meaningful international experience to their CV
• Meet new people and experience Bali as part of a team

You’ll stay across a mix of comfortable city hotels, a rural community lodge and locally run guesthouses in Northern Thailand. Standards and facilities vary by location, but all accommodation is carefully selected for its safety, suitability and connection to the programme experience.

Chiang Mai Hotels

For much of the programme, you’ll stay in comfortable hotels in Chiang Mai, providing a convenient base from which to explore the city, visit local organisations and take part in the programme’s cultural and learning activities.

Students will usually share twin rooms, although some rooms may accommodate up to four participants. Accommodation typically includes modern bathroom facilities, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and communal areas where you can relax and spend time with the rest of the team.

Think Pacific Programme Leaders stay in the same accommodation throughout, providing ongoing guidance and support.

Rural Community Lodge

At the beginning of the programme, you’ll spend two nights at a comfortable rural lodge close to the Huai Lan community.

Surrounded by forest, farmland and countryside, the lodge provides a peaceful setting for your programme briefing, cultural orientation and initial team-building activities. You’ll stay in shared participant rooms and come together for group meals, workshops and social activities.

Its location also allows you to spend time with members of the local community, experience a traditional welcome ceremony and gain an early introduction to rural life, culture and traditions in Northern Thailand.

Northern Thailand Accommodation

During your two-night Northern Thailand adventure, you’ll stay in locally run guesthouses and lodges as you journey through the region’s mountain landscapes, rural communities and culturally diverse northern areas.

Accommodation is generally simple, comfortable and shared with your teammates. Facilities and room arrangements vary between locations, but properties are selected to provide a safe and welcoming base for each stage of the journey.

Throughout the programme, you’ll regularly come together as a team for meals, activities, project work and social time, while still having space to relax and prepare for each day’s experiences.

Breakfast is included every day, along with one additional meal depending on the itinerary; usually lunch or dinner.

While staying in the village, many evening meals are prepared by your local hosts, giving you a taste of everyday Balinese food and hospitality. Expect dishes based around rice or noodles, vegetables, chicken or fish, with fresh herbs, spices and seasonal ingredients. Some flavours may be new and, as with everyday home cooking, you may see some familiar dishes more than once.

If you prefer milder food, just ask for “Tidak Pedas” (no spice!)

When meals aren’t included, we’ll guide you towards local cafés, restaurants and warungs, giving you the chance to explore more of Bali’s food scene. Eating out is generally affordable, with many local meals costing around £2–£5.

Dietary requirements and allergies are collected before departure and shared with our Bali team and accommodation partners.

Think Pacific collaborates with numerous universities around the globe to deliver student mobility and enhance employability opportunities. There are various scholarships and grants for students through partnerships with individual university departments and governments. Students are encouraged to explore the possibility of scholarships and bursaries for our projects.

To discover if funding is available at your university or in your region, please reach out to us at info@thinkpacific.com for personalised assistance and information.

Our programmes can often be used as a formal placement or contribute towards academic credit as part of your degree.

If you’d like to explore this, contact info@thinkpacific.com. We’ll be happy to discuss the programme with your university, confirm any existing partnerships we have in place, and provide the information your institution may require.

From the moment you join, we’ll help you feel prepared, informed and excited for the journey ahead.

Pre-Departure Portal

Access your step-by-step preparation hub, including flight and visa guidance, packing lists, accommodation information, health and safety advice, cultural preparation and your final travel guidance. You can also watch videos from our overseas teams.

Speak to Our Team

Our team is here to support you throughout your preparation. Call us on 0113 335 9919 or email info@thinkpacific.com during office hours with any questions.

Meet Your Team

Connect with fellow participants before you travel as we add add you to a private group with your teammates.

Live Pre-Departure Webinars

Join live sessions with the Think Pacific team to ask questions, understand what to expect and get ready for your programme.

Global Skills Programme

Complete short online modules in areas such as culture, sustainable travel and global leadership, helping you arrive with the mindset and knowledge to make the most of your experience.

What We’ll Help You Prepare For

You’ll receive clear guidance on accommodation and facilities, packing, food and dietary requirements, cultural expectations, programme structure, health and safety, money, independent time, the Action Project and your final itinerary.

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Your safety and wellbeing are at the heart of every Think Pacific programme. Each experience is carefully planned with comprehensive risk assessments, crisis management procedures, pre-departure preparation and detailed in-country briefings.

Throughout your programme, you’ll be supported by experienced local and international staff, with 24/7 guidance and pastoral support available from arrival through to departure. Our teams also work closely with local partners and management staff to ensure programmes are delivered safely, responsibly and to recognised industry standards.

Bali is a welcoming, popular and well-established destination for international travellers and students. As with any overseas experience, there are local risks and cultural differences to be aware of, which is why we provide clear guidance, local knowledge and ongoing support throughout the programme to support you.

Learn more about our Health, Safety & Support approach →

Global Futures is designed to be exciting, immersive and rewarding, but part of the experience is also adapting to a way of life that may feel very different from home.

You’ll travel as part of a team, share rooms and bathrooms, experience simpler accommodation in the village and at the team-building camp, try unfamiliar foods and adjust to Bali’s tropical climate and daily routines. Some facilities may be more basic than you are used to, with occasional limited Wi-Fi or hot water, insects and early-morning village sounds all part of the experience.

Busy days, heat, humidity and changes in diet can sometimes lead to tiredness or feeling unwell, so know your own needs, stay hydrated and ask for support when you need it.

Daily life may also feel unfamiliar at first, with different customs, traditions, ceremonies and ways of communicating. Around the village or when visiting partner organisations and cultural or religious sites, you’ll also be asked to follow local dress guidance, usually including modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Plans can sometimes change around weather, local events or community priorities, so flexibility is important.

The best mindset is to arrive curious, respectful and open-minded. Listen, try new things, support your teammates and give yourself time to adjust.

For many students, these moments of challenge become some of the most valuable parts of the programme as you build confidence, independence and a deeper understanding of another culture. You’ll also strengthen qualities such as resilience, adaptability and resourcefulness, skills highly valued by employers and useful long after you return home.

The 18-day Global Futures itinerary shown on this page is our planned itinerary for summer 2027 and gives you a great idea of what to expect. Occasionally, activities, partners or timings may change due to weather, local events, community ceremonies or availability, but we’ll always maintain the overall quality, experience and learning journey.

Global Futures is about experiencing Bali with curiosity, respect and an open mind. We ask everyone to take responsibility for themselves, look out for their teammates and respect the communities and organisations that welcome us.

That means following local cultural guidance, listening to programme leaders and making positive choices throughout the experience. Global Futures is also a zero-alcohol programme, helping us create a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone.

We encourage every participant to:

1. Approach unfamiliar situations with curiosity
2. Value different cultures, experiences and perspectives.
3. Communicate respectfully across cultural boundaries.
4. Recognise that complex global challenges rarely have simple answers.
5. Work collaboratively and contribute positively to a team.
6. Reflect on experiences and learn from them.
7. Act responsibly within the communities they visit.
8. Consider sustainability and ethics when exploring new ideas.
9. Build the confidence to keep learning, questioning and growing.

Through authentic community experiences, cultural immersion, critical thinking, and reflective learning, participants leave Bali with more than memories. They leave with greater confidence. Greater understanding. Greater curiosity. And a stronger appreciation that the most valuable lessons are often learned not in classrooms, but through the people we meet, the communities we join, and the perspectives we gain along the way.