A Journey of Learning and Collaboration
Compiled by: Aimee Shramko
Posted: 03/05/2025
This past December, nineteen ASU OLLI students embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Chiang Mai, Thailand that blended cultural immersion with meaningful global engagement. Students gained a greater depth of understanding and appreciation for the Buddhist faith, learned about sustainable development and gender equality, and connected with local communities giving our members a transformative experience like no other.
Team leader ASU Professor Jessica Hirshorn (1), says the chief purpose of the trip was to facilitate a “more authentic, service based cultural exchange” and to experience a country not simply as a tourist, but as a participant immersed in the local culture. As a Peace Corps volunteer, she grew to appreciate the concept of giving back to the local people, that in return, brings meaning and purpose to the visitor’s lives. This two-way exchange between visitors and residents allows for a richer experience for all.
Participants swam with, bathed, and were hugged by magnificent Asian elephants, learned the fundamentals of traditional Thai cooking, and collaborated with local schools to foster cross-cultural understanding. They connected with the Wildflower Home, a pioneering organization working to promote women’s empowerment. And in an unforgettable session, they met with Master Phra Ajarn KK (2), a Buddhist monk who explained the intricacies of the practice and its place in contemporary Thai society. Along the way they soaked in the serene beauty of Northern Thailand, and reflected on innovative solutions to global challenges as this journey left a lasting impact like no other.
Photo: Master Phra Ajarn KK
The trip was organized through a partnership between ASU and travel company Discover Corp, who specializes in “immersive, sustainable vacations with purpose”. Led jointly by Jessica Hirshorn, and ASU Senior Global Futures Scientist, Michael Sieng (3) the 10-day long adventure presented an unparalleled opportunity for the participants.
I spoke with four ASU OLLI students who shared their most meaningful experiences while on this amazing journey of giving back and discovery.
Angela Jordan felt the trip to Thailand “exceeded her expectations.” Filled with “authentic cultural experiences, heart-warming moments, beautiful sites, exciting adventures, delicious food”, it was augmented by “informative conversations with exceptional people!” She thoroughly enjoyed giving back to the people of Thailand which “bridged the gap between cultures providing an opportunity to share and experience one another authentically.”
Mina Lopez, who works in Human Resources for a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive, finds Thailand remains fresh in her mind even though she’s been home for close to three months. It was an “amazing trip” to the furthest destination that she has ever traveled. A solo traveler and first-time student with OLLI, the opportunities to interact with and give back to the Thai people motivated her to sign-up.
She knew right away that the trip would be an authentic immersion into the culture on the first night. The students ate dinner seated cross-legged on a mat while sharing dishes and eating with their hands as is common among Thai people in more rural areas. They were then treated to a show of dancers dressed in traditional costumes who performed dances from different regions of Thailand.
Mina was fascinated by the array of fruits and vegetables seldom seen in Phoenix that she discovered in the night markets. Although not a cook, she plans to buy a wok after taking the group cooking class, and feels she ate healthier dishes that included more vegetables in Thailand than she normally does at home.
Photo: Cooking Class
Franne Kaplan was also a first time visitor to Thailand and admittedly “not a great traveler” but had always wanted to visit an Asian country and be immersed in the culture. Her husband, knowing this about her, read her the description of the trip, but left out the destination. When he came to the bullet point “care for rescued elephants at a leading elephant sanctuary”, Franne couldn’t resist! That activity became the highlight of her trip as she felt a “deep emotional and soulful connection” to the elephants. Being able to get into the river with the magnificent animals and have them hug her with their trunk was an unforgettable experience.
Photo: Franne and Her Elephant
Franne’s background in nutrition and prowess in the kitchen led her fellow students to elect her to organize a dinner for the women of the Wildflower Home. The women had requested that the travelers shop for, prepare, and share an “American style” dinner with them. Franne spearheaded this event which gave them all a chance to get to know the women.
Penny Friedberg, a former professor of nutrition and integrative health at The University of Maryland, also found the interaction with the women of Wildflower Home to be a moving experience. Many of the women were victims of domestic violence, and through their involvement with Wildflower, are learning skills to help them remain independent and raise their children safely and securely.
Photo: Wildflower House
Photo: Mother & Child Wildflower House
After spending time getting to know the women, the OLLI students felt so moved by their strength and resilience that they made several generous donations to purchase equipment to help them reach their goals.
Lastly, and this was mentioned by most of the participants, the time spent teaching English and lending a hand at a local primary school was unforgettable. OLLI students had brought markers, books and other supplies from Phoenix that are challenging to obtain with the school’s limited budget. The children could not have been more appreciative and enthusiastic about learning English, making paper crafts, and spending time with the travelers.
Jessica explained that, for many of the children and teachers, this was their first live encounter with visitors from the United States. The impressions of Americans that the students and faculty had formed were, no doubt, based upon stereotypes and information gleaned from television and social media. Jessica emphasized that moving forward, those children and adults, as a result of OLLI student’s visit to the school, now have first hand knowledge of kind, caring, and supportive Americans woven into their “mental files”.
At the end of the session, everyone lined up to receive a “high five” from the older kids and a hug from the younger ones cementing what had turned out to be a moving experience for all.
Photo: Classroom
The OLLI students and professors reconnected in February at Penny’s house where she made them an expertly prepared Thai dinner using ingredients she had purchased on the trip. The participants plan to keep in touch with one another, have made plans for future get-together and feel they have made new connections they treasure.
Photo: Group Dinner
OLLI is going global! We will be partnering with Discover Corps once again from May 15-24, 2026 for another opportunity to learn, grow, and explore in Morocco.
Students will meet with pioneering organizations that are empowering Moroccan women and working to protect the environment. They’ll dive deep into Moroccan culture with cooking lessons, interaction with rural communities that embrace traditional ways, and immerse themselves in the local artistic community. Join us for our next great adventure!
Photo Credits:
Cover Photo – Angela Jordan with her elephant friend
Master Phra Ajarn KK – courtesy of Angela Jordan
Wildflower House – courtesy Franne Kaplan
Mother & Child Wildflower House – courtesy Angela Jordan
Classroom – courtesy Franne Kaplan
Cooking Class - courtesy Franne Kaplan
Group Dinner - courtesy Franne Kaplan
References:
1. Jessica Hirshorn is a Teaching Professor of Organizational Leadership at ASU. Her life mission is to promote intercultural understanding and communication between the world’s peoples. She is a former Peace Corps volunteer and Fulbright Scholar.
2. Master Phra Ajarn KK – Meditation Master at the MCU Buddhist University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
3. Michael Sieng is an Emergency Managements Specialist with FEMA and Senior Global Futures Scientist at ASU. He is a lifelong learner with an interest in creating a positive impact in the world.
