Thailand

Hi friends and family!

A few days ago, I got the acceptance email from the Hampshire College Global Education Office telling me that I am going to Northern Thailand in two months to learn, teach, and explore. I wanted to make this blog to provide a little bit of a glimpse for my loved ones into what I'm doing on the other side of the world!

So here's a little bit of info on the program (and me!), condensed into bullet points (because everybody loves bullet points.)

- I'm nineteen and I study reproductive and sexual health, rights and justice, as well as public health and public policy at Hampshire College.

- I've never left the country before!

- I have a passion for music, education, advocacy and safer sex.

- I'll be going to Thailand with the YESS! (Youth Empowerment for Safer Sexuality) program, which is based out of Hampshire.

- The program connects Hampshire  students with youth living in a children's home, run by the non-profit organization Warm Heart, in the town of Phrao, in Chiang Mai province. Most of them are orphans or children and teens whose parents live far from schools, and sent them there to receive an education.

- Phrao is a beautiful rural area in a valley surrounded by lush jungle and mountains.

- To participate, students must complete a course called HIV/AIDS: 35 Years Later, in which they learn not only about the biology of HIV and AIDS, but also about the cultural challenges that go into their prevention. Then we have individual interviews. Then, 8 people get accepted to go!

- Thailand is incredibly cheap to travel in for westerners. 1 US dollar is 34.68 Thai Baht.

- The average age of the first intercourse for Thai teens is twelve.

- A pack of condoms in Thailand is the price of two meals!

I so look forward to staying in touch with everyone who bothers to give this a read! I'll also be using this as a platform to put my pictures (I will post every day to try to get the most raw, potent information across. Some days, there will be more pictures than words, like if I'm tired, and some days I'll probably type way too much!!)

Much love, warmth, and excitement from me to you,

Ella J

xx