In the final week of my elephant experience in Thailand I was able to work with the 19 elephants WFFT has. Some of our duties were cleaning, showering, and feeding them. One of the meals that were fed twice a day were something called ‘banana balls.’ These were mushed banana’s, bran, and pellets; this definitely felt interesting to mix all together but you became a pro after the first three days. After mixing all these things together and splitting them up (depending on the elephant will depend on the amount of balls you make) you feed them by hand to some of the elephants. The elephants are very food motivated and will sometimes give attitude if you do not give the food fast enough!

Their trunks have very thick skin and little hairs that tickle a little, who would of thought? Even in the pouring rain you have to feed these giant babies, the thought of that seems to be a little annoying but it is worth it.

I never thought I would be able to experience this.

After feeding we can take some of the elephants for walks. Once again, the elephants are very food motivated and will follow you everywhere. The only time I noticed they would stop is to scratch their heads on the trees. I was so confused at why she was stopping. Then I saw her head go back and forth on the trees, I laughed so hard! I thought “hey, if no one could scratch my head I’d be at every tree!“ After the itching session was over we went about our way and walked into the forest where Boon Chuey and Dao Rueng would hangout for a little.

Between all these activities we would be assigned special projects. Things we accomplished were cleaning lakes, enclosures, and organizing the food stations. After completing these tasks even though I felt dead from the heat I felt rewarded. It’s an experience that I cannot explain into words, I guess everyone will just have to go try for themselves !

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During my time at WFFT I spent the first week spending time with the other wildlife. They had everything from monkeys to bears and even iguanas! Some of these animals I have never seen up close or even in real life!

Every morning we had to chop fruit, give water, and clean enclosures. Honestly, most of it didn’t even feel like work ! All the laughter that followed the groups when doing activities made you forget about the scorching heat. Sometimes I would take the longer route back to my room just so I can take one last look at the animals before it got too dark. I feel that you were able to appreciate the animals more because everyone else their loved them just as much as you did.

The monkeys were definitely cute to look at but don’t get too close; they’ll grab whatever is near them (I can tell you from experience)! The two little monkeys in the picture of Dusky Langurs, they are a veggie eating monkey and are unable to digest fruit. It is important not to feed them it because it can do severe damage. They are interesting looking fellows and also caught my eye while walking by.

My favorite wildlife to feed were the Slow Loris, nothing exciting happens during this feeding but they are just so cute to look at ! The Slow Loris is a mammal that is famous in the pet trade industry for their cute eyes and slow reactions – hence the name. Little do people know is that the Slow Loris is poisonous, so when Slow Loris lift his arms, that is actually a defense mechanism and he is in distress. The picture that I attached is one sleeping in his little PVC pipe hide-out, I was very quiet and tried not to disturb but I needed to take a picture of this little ball of cuteness.

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This trip was anything except a normal study abroad trip… this was my first time out of the United States and even my first time on a plane! It definitely was a little bit of a headache getting to our final destination; between delayed flights and late night hotel bookings. I was totally out of my element and nervous that something terrible would happen, but lone behold we had an amazing time !

Just alone, the travel formed new friendships. The plane ride was smooth and the food wasn’t too terrible. I now am a professional in sleeping upright. My plan for my 13 hour flight was to watch four 2-hour movies and then sleep for the rest, this plan laid out perfectly – well I wish I was laying down.

When we arrived in Dubai I realized that we weren’t in Kansas anymore Dorothy. The ground was just dirt and totally different than what I have ever seen before. Then I really felt that we were on the other side of the world ! Never being out of the United States going through the airports was easy plus fascinating, you see couples and families waiting for their loved ones or even trying catch their flight looking more nervous and excited than you were. What I found most amazing was just how small we are in the world and our problems are so little. I hate to say that I became more ‘cultured’ because to be honest I didn’t, I learned how to say few words in Thai and respected them with the laws I had read online, but overall you need to research constantly and be familiar with what is going on in the outside world than just what the latest trends or updates for Facebook is.

I definitely realized why people will quit their jobs and leave randomly to go and travel someplace new, I would do it if I could.

Click here to read other stories from the SPC Thailand Study Abroad program.