New Cultures and Experiences: March Break Trips 2026
The 2026 March Break experiential education trips pushed students outside their comfort zones, exposing them to new cultures, engaging them with locals, and helping them learn more about living and working in different parts of the world. Service – Thailand The service trip to Thailand encompassed 12 days and saw seven students participate in community projects, engage in Thai traditions, and explore the country’s cities, temples, and natural landscapes. “Our March Break trip to Thailand emphasized that service is one of the pillars of St. Mike’s,” says Andrew Kiel ’09, coordinator of spiritual life. “Service on a global scale helped remind us of our Christian responsibility to love and serve our local communities. The compassionate call of God’s work was evident in our experience addressing food scarcity through sustainable agriculture and assisting elephants in an ethical sanctuary. The ability to explore the beautiful culture of Thailand at the same time was an added bonus!” Ahead of their service project, students began their journey exploring Chiang Mai, where they had the opportunity to visit the city’s oldest temple, check out a market where they practiced speaking Thai, and enjoy a traditional Khantoke dinner. Students also sat down with a Buddhist monk to learn more about the religion, where much of his talk connected the theme of ‘being the good’ in the world with love and respect. “Thailand was a lifetime experience; I loved participating with my friends and teachers in team-building educational activities and tours about the history of Thailand,” says Nathanael Burnett, Grade 10. “During my group’s rest days, we explored and experienced Thai culture, food, and classic Thai markets. Most importantly, the service work was a new, wholesome, hands-on, and team-building experience for me. I learned how my service impacted others in need.” SMCS students began their service project at a local school, learning about
