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Experience The Real Thailand
Adventure, Culture and Purpose
Global Futures is a summer of adventure, purpose and real-world learning in Northern Thailand.
Explore beyond the usual tourist trail, from Chiang Mai’s historic streets and creative neighbourhoods to mountain communities and national parks. Learn from cultural partners and university experts, and spend time with organisations creating opportunities and addressing social challenges in their communities.
Join a team, immerse yourself in Thai culture and bring what you learn together through a real-world Action Project. Step outside your comfort zone and return home with new perspectives, practical skills and far more than great memories.
Find out more from Think Pacific.
At a Glance...
- Duration: 18 days
- Location: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Northern Thailand
- Accommodation: Hotels and Rural Community Lodge
- Team Size: Typically 15–20 students
- Suitable For: Students from all academic backgrounds
- Key Themes: Culture, social impact, sustainability and adventure
- Includes: Accommodation, two meals per day as standard, all programme activities and excursions, in-country transport, Programme Leaders and 24/7 support
Global Futures Thailand
An Experience That Stays With You
Global Futures is about more than the itinerary. It’s the people you meet, the friendships you build, the moments that challenge you and the perspectives that stay with you long after Northern Thailand.
Every programme gives you the chance to:
- Join a Team - Share the journey with other students and build lasting friendships along the way.
- Challenge Yourself - Try new things, embrace unfamiliar experiences and step outside your comfort zone.
- Be Inspired - Meet local leaders, community hosts and organisations creating positive change.
- Explore Further - Go beyond the tourist trail and experience Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand.
- Grow in Confidence - Navigate new places, cultures and situations while developing independence and resilience.
- See Things Differently - Discover new perspectives on community, sustainability, culture and global issues.
- Experience - Return with unforgettable memories, meaningful experiences and stories you’ll be telling for years.
What You’ll Gain
Throw yourself into each day, embrace every opportunity and you’ll return home with more than great memories:
- Global Perspective - Experience another culture deeply and see global issues through a local lens.
- Intercultural Confidence - Build your ability to communicate, connect and collaborate across cultures.
- Real-World Project Experience - Explore a genuine organisational challenge and present your ideas.
- Adaptability - Navigate new situations, think critically and approach challenges from different perspectives.
- Future Skills - Strengthen teamwork, communication, confidence and skills valued by universities and employers.
- Meaningful Connections - Build friendships with your group and connect with the people and organisations you meet along the way.
Most importantly, you’ll return with real stories, experiences and examples you can draw on in future study, applications, interviews and your career.
Key Information
Programme Provider
Think Pacific
Dates
22 June to 9 July 2027 (allow for a day or two either side for travel).
Eligibility
Open to Registered Undergraduate or Postgraduate students (part-time or full-time). Not suitable for final year students.
Programme Cost
£1,895 including a £195 registration fee.
Funding is available for eligible students to assist towards the above project cost.
Students from a *Widening Access and Participation Background will receive a higher rate of funding.
Your contribution will be:
£550 for most students
or
£250 if your household income is less than £25,000* (receipted expenditure will be required to cover travel costs up to a max. £905)
*you can check the full criteria for this higher Turing rate in the 'Widening Access and Participation' section below.
Flights
An additional scholarship of up to £1000 is available towards the cost of your return flights. This will be paid to students once flights are confirmed, and evidence (receipts) is provided.
You must ensure you have the funds to pay for your flights as you do not receive this scholarship in advance.
Programme Includes
Welcome and Orientation
- Airport pickup when arriving within our recommended arrival times
- Programme welcome and briefing
- Cultural orientation covering Thai customs, traditions and language
- Team-building activities and preparation for the programme ahead
- Two nights at a rural lodge near the Huai Lan community
Accommodation
- Comfortable hotels in Chiang Mai, usually twin-share.
- Countryside Lodge accommodation during the orientation
- Think Pacific Programme Leaders staying alongside the team throughout
Meals
- Two meals per day as standard, usually breakfast plus lunch or dinner
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- Traditional Lanna cultural dinner
- Meals during specified community and rural experiences
- Participants should budget separately for meals not included
Culture, Adventure and Wellbeing
- Rural community experience in Huai Lan
- Traditional Thai cooking experience
- Buddhist temples and Chiang Mai Old City
- Traditional welcome ceremony
- Lanna crafts, food and cultural activities
- Doi Inthanon National Park and waterfalls
- Sticky Waterfalls
- Introduction to Muay Thai
- Monk chat and insight into Buddhist life
- Baan Kang Wat artisan community
- Traditional umbrella-making workshop
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the Monk’s Trail
- Responsible elephant experience at ChangChill
- Chiang Mai markets, cafés and independent exploration
Learning and Development
- Payap University workshop
- Visits with locally based impact organisations
- Workshops with community partners
- Insight into Thai society, sustainability and community development
- Exploration of responsible tourism, enterprise and environmental issues
- Global Futures Action Project
- Team response to a local partner organisation
- Project feedback, reflection and programme debrief
- Development of confidence, teamwork, adaptability and intercultural communication
Support and Safety
- 24/7 support from Think Pacific Programme Leaders
- Experienced local guides and Thailand-based partners
- In-country management and pastoral support
- Programme briefings, risk assessments and regular check-ins
- Support throughout activities, excursions and transfers
- Final programme reflection and debrief
In-Country Travel
- In-country transport throughout the programme
- Airport pickup at scheduled arrival times
- Transfers between accommodation, activities and programme locations
- Transport throughout Chiang Mai and the surrounding region
- All transport during the Northern Thailand adventure
Pre-Departure Support
- Email and telephone support
- Dedicated UK Programme Coordinator
- Comprehensive online preparation portal
- Live pre-departure webinars
- Group communication and personal guidance
- Cultural, travel and programme preparation
- Certificate of Completion
Not Included
The following items are not included in your programme fee, but our team will provide guidance and support before you travel:
- Travel Insurance - typically around £50–£100. We’ll provide guidance on the level of cover required.
- Visa or Entry Requirements - requirements and any associated costs depend on your nationality and the rules in place when you travel. Many UK passport holders may be eligible for visa-free entry for short visits.
- Vaccinations and Travel Health Costs - costs vary depending on your circumstances and the advice you receive from a qualified healthcare professional.
- Meals Not Included - two meals per day are provided as standard. You’ll need to budget for one additional meal on most days.
- Personal Expenses - including drinks, snacks, laundry, a local SIM or eSIM, souvenirs and optional activities.
- Independent Travel - any accommodation, transport or activities arranged before or after the programme are not included.
- Spending Money – Budget £200–£300 for lunches, drinks, souvenirs, and personal items. You may wish to bring more if you plan to shop, join optional activities or continue travelling in Thailand after the programme.
| Application | Submit your Application |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 13 December 2026 |
| Interview | You will be invited to an online group interview if you are shortlisted at application stage. |
| Interview Guidance | If you require support and guidance to help you prepare for interview reach out to your Employability and Graduate Futures Team. You can request a 1:1 appointment via Handshake or contact the team via e-mail: graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk |
Widening Access and Participation
You will be eligible for a higher rate of Turing Scheme funding if you meet one of the criteria below:
- You are in receipt of an Ulster University Access Bursary
- You are from an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status (including those with an annual household income of £35,000 or less)
- You receive Income Support or Universal Credit and are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with them, such as a child or partner
- You are from a background of care
- You have caring responsibilities
- You have no living parents
- Your parents cannot be found or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them (estranged students)
- You are a refugee or asylum seeker
Proof of the above criteria will be required as part of your application.
Pre-Departure Information
If you are selected for this opportunity following successful application and interview, the following details will help you prepare for pre-departure:
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet the host country's immigration requirements. This will vary depending on the type of passport you hold. Further advice on the visa application will be provided as part of the pre-departure process, but it is your responsibility to ensure your familiarity with this.
Please note, if travelling out of Dublin airport, students without a British or Irish passport may also need an additional Irish visa.
Ensure you read through the Government Travel Guidance Advice for Thailand
You will automatically be covered for emergency travel insurance and medical emergency cover through Ulster University’s Group Personal Accident and Travel insurance policy for the duration of this programme.
Review the cover thoroughly to check it's sufficient for your needs; if it does not cover everything, you will need to take out additional cover.
Ensure you read through the recommended vaccine requirements for the country you are travelling to.
There’s lots to think about before, during and after your programme. Read the Pre-departure Guide thoroughly for advice on to how to prepare and what to expect from your experience abroad.
Once final candidates have been selected you will be invited to a number of mandatory pre-departure sessions to help you prepare for your programme. This will be an opportunity for you to meet other students who will be joining you and it is a requirement of the programme that you attend.
As part of the pre-departure preparation, you will be asked to submit a mandatory travel preparation form and a medical disclosure form. Both forms are required so we can assess that you are fully prepared for the programme and can provide you with additional support if required.
Managing Dietary Requirements
During your Go Global programme, students are responsible for managing their own dietary needs/food intolerences. Your host provider and the Global Opportunities Team cannot guarantee meals will meet individual requirements.
Make sure you:
- Check ingredients
- Communicate with food providers and your host provider
- Inform your designated airline of any dietary needs
- Carry necessary medication at all times
