Teen Life Experience - High School Spring Semester Program 

January

Following western New Year, January offers a relaxed opportunity for spring semester students to begin acquainting themselves with Thailand life. Now is the cooler time of year in Thailand with occasional showers and temperatures around 20oC. It’s also the time of year where Thai people gather for vast street markets at public parks to purchase just about anything and everything. Such community gatherings are common all over Thailand at this time of year and offer you your first chance to experience the hustle and bustle of real Thai life. Enjoy local amusements and traditional Thai music concerts around every corner as you begin your Thailand adventure. January is also an important month to start learning about Thai high school culture as students participate in various community service projects with local people to gain merit. The concept of gaining merit is very important in Thai belief and relates to peoples’ strong Thai Buddhist faith. It’s also something very different to western culture and is one of many cultural stamps that define the Kingdom of Thailand as a truly unique country to experience as student abroad.  

 

February

Being a country of spectacular celebration, Thailand in fact celebrates three New Years. During February you will enjoy the first of many elaborate holiday periods with Chinese New Year. Celebrated by Thailand’s large Chinese community, the Lunar New Year is not a national holiday in Thailand as such however its presence is still often felt around the country with parties long into the night. Explore your new home away from home to the sound of firecrackers and an array of fireworks. Get lost in the moment as you explore wondrous markets and street vendors, tasting some of best food Thailand has to offer. Mid February comes two very important days for Thai people. First is Makha Bucha day. Historically this national holiday commemorates the spontaneous coming together of many monks to pay homage to the Buddha and his teachings. It is a time when local families show respect and gratitude to the monk community by sharing alms and is an important part of traditional life. Sharing this time with your new friends and host family will give you the authentic feel for Thai life you are on a quest for. Following comes Valentines Day, which although you may consider a western tradition is extremely important in both Thai and other Southeast Asian cultures today. Experiencing these international celebrations from a completely different perspective is what it is all about.    

 

March

With March being the end of school year in Thailand high schools will be gearing up for graduation and the schools’ end of term talent shows. This is a time where your classmates will want to share their achievements with you as a new member of their high school and will likely ask you to help with ideas and preparation as a western teen. This is not only a great chance for you to continue immersing yourself in authentic Thai high school culture, but also a time to further strengthen bonds with new friends as you look towards the summer holiday period. During mid March also sees national holidays that celebrate key symbols of Thai heritage, firstly with Thailand’s national elephant festival and then national Muay Thai Day. Elephants are extremely important to Thai identity with routes in ancients battle that protected Thailand longest serving monarchy. Muay Thai, more commonly referred to as Thai boxing is also honored for similar reasons as the traditional fighting system of Thailand. 

 

April

In early April Thai Buddhists celebrate Chakri Day. This public holiday acknowledges the beginning of Thailand’s Chakri Dynasty in 1783 by His Majesty the King of Thailand Rama I. It also pays tribute to the Kings’ contributions to the Kingdom of Thailand’s development. Thailand is the only Southeast Asia nation to have never been colonized by European rule and all Thai people are extremely proud of their monarchy. Learning about Thailand’s rich history and experiencing this passion first hand will leave a permanent stamp you. As you move in to the height of summer vacation and Thailand’s hot season with temperatures as high as 40oC, prepare to get wet, really wet. Mid April hosts Songkran Festival, Thailand’s New Year celebration. This is a time where the whole country comes together for three days of music, dance and friendly water fights. There literally isn’t a dry spot in sight come the end and it’s known around the world as one of Asia’s most popular celebrations. The sharing of water represents the washing away of old troubles and preparing for a clean year ahead. This month is often the pinnacle for early spring program students who are already nearing end of their semester abroad.  

 

May

May is an action packed month with lots going on. The nation joins to celebrate National Labour Day and Coronation Day. The first signifies a time of gratitude towards the economic and social contributions of the Kingdom’s workers. Coronation Day celebrates the coronation of His Majesty the King of Thailand and the world’s longest serving monarchy and is a day when Thai people reflect on national pride. Come mid-May most high schools reopen for the first semester of the year. Later spring arrivals return with a new sense of confidence and new friends, ready to get stuck into Thai cultural studies. It’s now time to make the most of your time away and absorb as much knowledge about Thai language, life and culture as you can from the friends around you. The beginning of the school year normally coincides with Thailand’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony, a national holiday that reflects the country’s reliance and respect for agriculture. It marks the traditional commencement of rice-sowing across the country, the nation’s most important staple food even today.

 

June

Come June continue expanding your knowledge about Thai Buddhism, firstly with Visakha Bucha Day. This sacred holiday commemorates three events; the birth, the enlightenment and the passing on of the Buddha. You will celebrate this at school with visits from local monks and join your host family and friends in attending prayer at a local temple. It’s a truly memorably occasion and will help you with your ongoing development for a deeper understanding of Buddhist life in Thailand. Unlike schools in western countries it’s very important for students to pay homage to their teachers. Teachers are considered to be very important people and are well respected within the local community. In June schools dedicate a day to showing thanks to teachers, known as the Wai Kru ceremony. It is a very special day for Thai students and another special occasion late spring semester students experience before returning home.