Northern Laos: Wildlife Conservation, Permaculture, and Meditation Practice with Monks

Customer Reviews

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  Elisa

  · August 15th, 2024
  There seems to be a subtle charm to Laos not many people get to see and I felt incredible lucky to experience. The beautiful green landscape of this country is beyond beautiful. I loved the pace of the program. We had a lot of time to take in such beauty and engage in meditation and even deep conversations with our fellow travelers. Although the level of comfort fluctuated throughout the trip, it felt intentional and you get to grow to love it. Staying at a remote small village, Sop Chem, felt unreal and extremely different from what you are probably used to. Giving back to this community through education, permaculture projects, and overall social engagement felt effortless. The people here are so warm and welcoming. I can genuinely say I'll carry all I learned with me for a long long time.
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  GIVE Volunteers commented on this review

  Thank you for sharing this, Elisa! Everyone at GIVE and Sop Chem is grateful to you for your dedication, heart, and growth mindset :)
  
  Trip date: July 2024
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  Gracie

  · July 30th, 2024
  Such an amazing experience, it’s honestly hard to put into words. Give fully immerses you in the cultures you visit and gives you opportunities that you won’t get traveling with anyone else. They push you out of your comfort zone and encourage growth while providing the safe environment needed for it. I 10000% recommend Give to anyone thinking about it. Do it!!!
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  GIVE Volunteers commented on this review

  You have a growth mindset, and we LOVE it! Thank you for being you Gracie <3
  Trip date: July 2024
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  olivia

  · July 14th, 2024
  This June I traveled to Laos with GIVE. I was recruited for this program during my time at college. I chose to do this trip and travel across the world by myself. The experiences I gained during this time were invaluable. I had an amazing group of guides who motivated me and taught me things that I will keep with me forever. The itinerary was laid out perfectly with adequate time for adventure, leisure, and volunteering. Working with the children and women of Sop Chem was the most impactful part of this trip. This experience was beyond what I even imagined it could be. If you are reading this, you should definitely consider going to meet the amazing guides and people in Laos!
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  Trip date: June 2024
• JR

  Joey

  · July 12th, 2024
  This GIVE adventure was deluged with enriching activity that optimized the time spent in such a verdant and arboreal environment. Personally, while one may have an aversion to bug bites, the bugs themselves, in conjunction with all other wildlife and nature oriented exhibitions and excursions were beyond enthralling. To be suspended on scaffolding overlooking the Na Om River, to perceiving a rather diminutive yet jubilant black bear was captivating beyond compare. The guides of course, recognized how to optimize and allocate time for authentic, organic group involvement, while still allotting time for an individual to embrace the adventure and liberties of residing in such a serene environment. The organization of this venture was cohesive and flexible, and while “go go go” might be a veracious way to recapitulate the cadence of this adventure, stopping just never seemed feasible, unless of course, you felt inclined to be sedentary in a hammock with a pear smoothie, and Pink Floyd, contemplating the populous of sentient elephants in this world. A thoroughly positive recommendation I leave for this venture!
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  Trip date: July 2024
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  Anonymous

  · July 12th, 2024
  This GIVE adventure was deluged with enriching activity that optimized the time spent in such a verdant and arboreal environment. Personally, while one may have an aversion to bug bites, the bugs themselves, in conjunction with all other wildlife and nature oriented exhibitions and excursions were beyond enthralling. To be suspended on scaffolding overlooking the Na Om River, to perceiving a rather diminutive yet jubilant black bear was captivating beyond compare. The guides of course, recognized how to optimize and allocate time for authentic, organic group involvement, while still allotting time for an individual to embrace the adventure and liberties of residing in such a serene environment. The organization of this venture was cohesive and flexible, and while “go go go” might be a veracious way to recapitulate the cadence of this adventure, stopping just never seemed feasible, unless of course, you felt inclined to be sedentary in a hammock with a pear smoothie, and Pink Floyd, contemplating the populous of sentient elephants in this world. A thoroughly positive recommendation I leave for this venture!
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  Trip date: July 2024
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  Selby

  · June 28th, 2024
  My trip to Laos with Give was transformative and inspiring. We had the opportunity to go on fun adventures, bond with the local community, work hard for a bigger goal, and become friends with so many people. I loved zip lining, going to the bear sanctuary, swimming in waterfalls, but the best part was the friends, jokes, and amazing people of Sopchem.
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  Trip date: June 2024
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  Amy

  · June 25th, 2024
  My travel to Laos was unforgettable, all thanks to GIVE and the incredible international and local guides. They perfectly plan every detail big and small to make sure we have the most authentic, fun and rewarding experience. I cannot recommend GIVE enough after doing two trips with them. For anyone who may be considering it, DO IT!! You will not regret it and you will make memories you will never ever forget
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  GIVE Volunteers commented on this review

  Thank you for sharing this Amy! We will do anything to ensure our GIVErs have a safe, rewarding, and transformative experience. So glad to have you a part of the GIVE fam! Hope we see you again soon! Sending you all the good vibesss
  
  Trip date: June 2024
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  Miranda

  · June 23rd, 2024
  This was such a wholesome and fulfilling experience to be genuinely immersed in the kind and beautiful community of Sop Chem. It opened my mind so much to be able to see life from different perspectives and have the loving and open space to reflect on my own thoughts and be myself around the amazing friends I made. The guides are so organized and super inspiring to me! Shout out to Javi, Ai Tuey, Mr. Good, Hailey, P Dave, and So Mai. Loved getting to know everyone and be inspired to become a better global citizen.
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  GIVE Volunteers commented on this review

  This makes our heart so happy! The GIVE fam is truly unlike any other, embracing connection, authenticity, love, and inspiration <3 We are so glad your trip was a safe space for you to grow and soar as a global citizen- that is what we strive for!... Show more
  Trip date: June 2024
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  Anonymous

  · June 11th, 2024
  I think when I committed to going on my trip, I thought it would just be a really fun experience mixed with volunteerism. I did not expect the relationships built, the empowerment of locals and ourselves, and being pushed sooo far out of my comfort zone. For these, I am so grateful. I’ve made lifelong friends, I know to push myself 3 steps farther than I used to, and I have plans already to do another Give trip. The memories, adventure, love, and knowledge were worth every penny and I have no regrets.
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  Trip date: May 2024
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  Katherine

  · June 11th, 2024
  GIVE's Laos program is an incredible opportunity for true cultural immersion across two weeks of intricately planned days and activities. I signed up for the trip because of the teaching English aspect and it was so much more! The eight days in Sop Chem were my favorite part of the trip because we were able to personally connect with the locals by learning about their daily lives and being taught how to weave, fish, make rice wine and more. The culmination of the trip in the Basi ceremony is an amazing opportunity to reconnect with everyone you've met in the village and recognize what an impact you can make, and others can make on you in such a short period of time. After this trip, I want to do more research on how to be a better global citizen and sign up for as many more GIVE trips as possible! I'm especially grateful for Aiy'Touy, Aiy'Good, Aiy'Dave, Haylie, and Javi for being excellent guides who support and challenge throughout the trip.
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  Trip date: May 2024