My flight arrived in Bangkok after 1 a.m. By the time customs was cleared, baggage was claimed, and I met up with the Kaya volunteer coordinator it was past 2 a.m. We arrived at the hostel around 3 a.m. at which point I passed out.

The next morning I woke up excited to be in Thailand. Alex, the man who picked me up at the airport took me out to breakfast with two other volunteers/interns, David from Australia, Hannah from England and Katie from Boston. After breakfast Alex took us to the Kaya headquarters for orientation.

Overview Thailand Orientation: Communicating Across Borders

• Get to know each other
• Cultural Overview
• Þ    What is culture; and what is culture comprised of?
• Þ    Why we see the world through our own ethnic cultural grid
• Þ    Stereotyping vs. cultural norms
• 1 hour Thai language course
• Fundamental Communication Skills
• Þ    Social etiquette in communication
• Þ    Listening & getting your point across with tact
• Thailand Overview
• Þ    People
• Þ    Thai Culture & Religious beliefs
• Þ    Common Practices
• Þ    Everyday life
• Þ    Eating Culture
• Þ    Thai Currency – Baht
• Þ    Health
• Basic overview of Surin Elephant Project and Human Trafficking photography internship

Total Hr: 4