5 Things to do in:
Bangkok, Thailand
Spend Dusk at Temple of the Dawn.
With its intricate architecture and 70-meter spire, Wat Arun, or the Temple of the Dawn, is the must-see Buddhist temple of Bangkok. Despite its name, rumor has it that the best views of this landmark are from the east side of the river at sunset.
Bond with Buddha.
Thailand's temples are known for their spectacular Buddha statues. Wat Kalaynamit's Buddha sits 15 meters high. Wat Pho's 46-meter gilded Buddha reclines to fill the chapel and sports a mystifying smile. And Wat Phra Kaew houses an emerald Buddha made of jade--the most sacred image in Thailand.
Shop Til You Drop at the Chatuchak Weekend Market.
With more than 5,000 stalls, Catuchak claims the title for the largest outdoor market in Asia. Vendors sell everything from household items to Thai handicrafts, and tourists love the bargains. If you find yourself needing to refuel, seek out some cool, refreshing Thai iced tea.
See the City by Water.
Although the 'Venice of the East' more accurately describes the Bangkok of the past, there's still plenty to do on the water. Cruise down the Chao Phraya River to take in great views of the city. Sail down the canals that extend from Thonburi west bank to the plantations of Nonthaburi. If you don't mind venturing a little outside the city, the iconic floating markets sell everything from fresh fruit to cooked meals.
Channel Your Inner Foodie in Chinatown.
Home to Bangkok's Chinese population, Chinatown is good for shopping, people watching, and especially for eating. From street food to fine dining, the Chinatown district has it all. At night, the streets light up and the vendors continue to draw crowds with delicacies like bird's nest and shark fin soup.
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Study Abroad with World Endeavors and save $150!
Apply to any World Endeavors study abroad program by April 15, 2013 and get $150 off your final program payment.
Studying abroad widens your global perspective and boosts your resume. World Endeavors offers summer, fall, and spring term programs in 14 different countries, and many programs have no language requirement.Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Eligibility:
- Applicable for any World Endeavors study abroad program in any location
- Applicable for Summer 2013, Fall 2013, and Spring 2014 programs
- Open to students from all majors and universities
- Must be 18 years of age or older and currently enrolled as a student
Find more information about studying abroad with World Endeavors or begin an online application today!
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Featured Alumni Profile:
Lola, Intern in Italy
Lola is from New York, and holds a B.S. in Health Science. She did a Physical Therapy internship in Florence, Italy, through World Endeavors.
"Before I left, my friends would tell me, I'm sure you'll be okay, there are tons of Americans there. Granted, that was true, but I really wanted to interact with the locals as well as other Europeans. This is your chance to really step outside yourself and learn something new. Have discussions about your differences. Experiences like this will change your outlook on life (and yourself) forever."
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Check us out on Facebook!
Want to see our latest promotions, updates, pictures, and stories first-hand? Want to connect with fellow travelers? Be sure to "Like" our World Endeavors Facebook page. We would love to hear from you!
Find us on Facebook!
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Testimonials
"Any abroad experience is an asset to future careers. I think staying in a developing country shows a lot of adaptability and determination. I hope to do future work in developing countries so this internship definitely gave me a taste of what it will be like!"
Raea, Intern in Nepal
"Through my home stay, I learned a great deal about the Ghanaian culture. I was treated extremely well, with more than enough food. The family made me feel very welcome and I spent time talking with them and playing with the kids each evening."
Danya, Volunteer in Ghana
"My classes were really cool, I learned a lot about culture, phonetics, and the things that you can't learn anywhere else. You have to be there with actual native speakers to really learn."
Eden, Study Abroad in Spain __________________________________
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Connect with WorldEndeavors
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World Endeavors
3015 E. Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406
612-729-3400
866-802-9678
9:00AM-5:30PM CST
www.worldendeavors.com
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Packing Secrets Revealed!: The"Most Useful" List from WE Staff
It's difficult to anticipate everything you may encounter on a trip abroad. And it can be even more difficult to fit all the things you need into one suitcase. Veteran travelers will tell you, however, that there are some items that are especially useful.
For this month's newsletter, the well-traveled World Endeavors staff shares their list of "most useful travel items" and the reasons behind them. Take a look--we bet there's at least one new thing you'll be adding to your next packing list.
- Walking shoes. No matter where you travel, you're sure to do a lot of walking. Don't forget flip-flops too, which are good for both the beach and for hostel showers.
- A quick-dry towel. They're compact, and as the name suggests, they dry super fast. There's nothing worse than a damp, heavy towel.
- Scarves. They jazz up outfits and can double as blankets or pillows on planes. Scarves are also a must-pack for countries that require head coverings for religious sites.
- A head lamp. Good for reading, hiking, or re-packing in a dark hostel room.
- Plastic bags. For wet things, dirty shoes, preventing shampoo explosions, and keeping your luggage organized.
- A watch. Especially if you don't have a cell phone while you are abroad. Comes in handy when you are traveling and need to be on time for your bus or train!
- A durable water bottle. Easy to empty when you're going through airports, but there to fill so you don't have to pay for expensive bottles (if the water is safe to drink, of course).
- Coffee filters. For when you have to boil your water. You can then pour it through the filter into your bottle.
- A good packable hat. Good for staying out of the sun or staying warm.
- Some small tokens/souvenirs from home. For host families/new friends/people who help out. Also bring some photos of your family so new friends/host families can know more about you.
- A small first-aid kit. Bandages, antibiotic cream, pain relievers, medicine for stomach troubles, and a small pair of scissors always come in handy. Also consider a small sewing kit.
- A journal/diary and extra memory cards for your camera. You'll want to make sure you have everything you need to record your trip!
Of course this is only a sampling of things you may wish to bring, but we hope that when you do study, intern, or volunteer abroad, you'll be extra prepared!
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How To Make the Most of Studying Abroad
We hear a lot about the benefits of studying abroad. Spending a semester in another country exposes students to different perspectives and helps them see their lives back in the US in a new light. Often they come back with a more focused career plan or ambitions for future travel.
But for all the praise, people also question the value of study abroad. How do you ensure that it will be an enriching cultural experience rather than a glorified vacation?
In an article posted late last summer, NPR discusses the nature of study abroad programs and asks listeners: "What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?" The answers range from partying less to being more open minded about food, but within all of the answers there's something that comes up again and again: immersion.
People wish that they had networked more, that they had spent time talking with locals instead of other Americans. They wish that they had pushed themselves outside of their comfort zones and connected with people of a similar age.
At World Endeavors we pride ourselves on the immersive quality of our programs, placing students either with host families or among locals and international students. Ultimately, interactions are up to the students themselves, but we make sure that our participants have the opportunities to immerse themselves in another way of life.
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Featured Video:
Teaching in Costa Rica
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Featured WE Staff Member:
Hannah Ehlenfeldt
Outreach Intern
 Hannah Ehlenfeldt is originally from Tabernacle, NJ. She moved to Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College, where she majored in English and Sociology/Anthropology with a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies.
One of the reasons she chose St. Olaf was their awesome study abroad programs. She tried to take full advantage of the opportunities they offered, studying in Granada, Spain, during a January term and traveling to Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt while participating in St. Olaf's Term in the Middle East.
Besides traveling, Hannah enjoys lindy hopping (a type of swing dancing), and one of her favorite memories from going abroad was when she got to swing dance in Istanbul. "I thought we would never find the little studio off of Istanbul's bustling Taksim street, but I was glad we kept searching. What an experience to be able to connect with another culture through a shared interest in dance," she said.
There are lots of reasons Hannah enjoys interning at World Endeavors (it's two blocks from the local co-op, for one), but her top two have to be chatting with the other interns and friendly staff, and answering questions from prospective participants. "It feels great to help bring people a few steps closer to traveling abroad. I get excited for them because I know first hand how life-changing going abroad can be."
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