THAILAND

THAILAND 2024
Anticipated Trip Cost: $3,899
Anticipated Dates: JUNE 30 – JULY 14
Leadership Development
- 9-month leadership development program with integrated local service component
- Youthlinc’s mission is to transform volunteers into lifetime humanitarians, which takes time and effort- we are not a “pay-and-go” program
- Twenty five years of proven curriculum and data show that our program truly changes and improves our volunteers & communities abroad
- Connect and build friendships with your team for 9 months prior to travel
Projects
- Work with Travel2Teach to make lasting impacts on rural villages outside of Chiang Mai
- Projects relate to community health, business & vocational skills, ecological improvements, construction, cultural exchange, and education
What's Included?
- We are a Utah-based program. Round-trip international airfare is included from Salt Lake City. Minors will never be asked to fly alone to another city to meet their team for the first time.
- All meals, accommodation, transportation, & clean water
- Excursions include trips to a butterfly biome, elephant sanctuary, and gorgeous Buddhist temples
- Travel insurance, medical professional travels with team, 1:3 ratio of adults:student
BAN MAE MAE, THAILAND
Our first Service Year team went to Thailand in the summer of 2008. It’s hard to believe it was that long ago. Our first partnership was with the Rotary Club of Patong Beach in Southern Thailand. We are so grateful for them and their many years of coordinating for our teams.
In 2015 we made the move up to Northern Thailand with a new partner Travel to Teach in Chiang Mai. Travel to Teach is an NGO focused on organizing volunteers to teach English across the globe. The Chiang Mai Travel to Teach coordinating efforts are spearheaded by Jim Wiengyos. Jim is amazing and she does such a fantastic job making sure everything is prepared and runs as smooth as possible for our teams.
Our teams work hard but also get to have some fun. The Chiang Mai team spends their last couple days in Chiang Mai exploring the temples and night markets. They also visit Ran-tong Save and Rescue Centre where they spend the afternoon feeding, playing, and bathing elephants.
Read About Our 2023 Projects








In-country Coordinator
Maneerat (Jim) Wiengyos
Tucker
She/Her
Jim is from from Chiang Mai, Thailand Graduated from Khon kaen University in Hotel and tourism management.
Jim is the leading coordinator for Travel to Teach. Jim is an expert at Coordinator Volunteers and organizations. She truly Enjoys working with international volunteers on project aimed at improving the daily lives of communities.
Jim has been partnering with Youthlinc as the Director of Travel to teach since 2015. Since then we have had 1+ teams working with Travel to teach to provide sustainable projects in rural Chiang Mai.

Meg Ashton
Meg is thrilled to be leading the Thailand 2 team this year!! Ever since participating as a student in 2009, Meg has had a passion for helping others and humanitarian work. This great love is a driving force in her life; she is continuously seeking opportunities to improve the lives of others.
Meg took her first trip with Youthlinc to Kenya in 2009, and in 2018 was one of the very lucky mother-daughter duos to take on Thailand. Between 2009 and 2018, Meg had awesome adventures living in New York, Indiana, Nebraska, and Massachusetts; learning and growing every step of the way. Living in so many places has helped her to love and appreciate many different cultures and lifestyles.
The highlight of Meg’s day job is setting up relationships and events with various non-profit organizations throughout the Salt Lake valley; creating volunteer opportunities for herself and her co-workers. Through these efforts, she has met many incredible people. She sparks enthusiasm in so many by finding a way to share their time and abilities in meaningful endeavors.
Meg stays busy working a 9-5 job in downtown Salt Lake City, and when she isn’t working, she looks forward to constant excursions with her husband, two dogs, and a cat. They love adventuring in the outdoors and hanging out with their nephews. Meg cannot wait to meet her team and make this year an unforgettable life-changing experience
My name is Kodie Osterberg and I am currently at Utah State University, studying Business Administration. I have also been a dancer for 19 years and am currently teaching dance at a local studio. Other hobbies of mine outside of dance are snowboarding, hiking, wakeboarding, and any other outdoor activity.
I joined Youthlinc in 2018 and went to Thailand. I enjoyed every moment of this experience. Not only the international service but the local service as well. During my experience with Youthlinc, I realized how much a lot of people take for granted. I returned home and appreciated every little thing I had a lot more than I ever did in the past. The Thai people taught me many life lessons and ones I would have never been taught without this unique experience.
I am excited to be joining the 2020-2021 service year as a recruitment intern. Working with others has always been something I loved. I am excited to get to know the other interns, Youthlinc staff, and the other people I will meet throughout the recruitment process. I am excited to continue to learn, grow, and experience all the opportunities that come my way during this experience.
Kodie Osterberg
Team Leader
WADE BENNINGTON
He/Him

Assistant Team Leader
BRIDGETT RODRIGUEZ ACERO
She/Her
Bridgett has traveled with Youthlinc to Kenya and Peru and is looking forward to stepping into a new leadership role as the Assistant Team Leader for the Thailand team. She’s excited for this upcoming Service Year because it gives her the opportunity to put herself out there and meet people from all different backgrounds. Bridgett attends SLCC and is studying Elementary Education. You can find Bridgett hiking, hangout with her dog, thrifting, try new restaurants, traveling and exploring Utah.
