Spend a year exploring a country whose ancient traditions, friendly attitude, and tropical landscapes are world-famous. By living with a Thai host family, you’ll be able to make yourself at home as you attend a local high school and get involved in your community. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities like touring Buddhist temples, visiting lively night markets, and tasting spicy gaeng (Thai curry). If you’re a person who values the quiet and calm but also seeks to find sanuk (fun) in all things, then Thailand is the place for you.
Thai people greet each other with a wai (pressing their palms together as they bow or curtsy) in order to show respect. You raise your hands higher and bow lower when you encounter someone of high stature, like a Buddhist monk. In Thailand the king and royal family are highly respected and it’s actually against the law to insult them! Thais try to live with a jai yen (a cool heart), so you won’t usually see them expressing extreme emotions. They also value the Buddhist principles of acceptance and detachment, which means they tend to be non-confrontational and easy-going. Because of the country’s Buddhist history, many Thai people understand and accept dietary restrictions like vegetarianism.