By Julie 2-week research internship –

I spent 2 weeks as an intern among KSES village, team and family. This was so meaningful and rich that I am not sure what is the best to report about my time there, however I surely can insist on how life-changing, inspiring and amazing this experience is.

I first came here to bring my stone to the animal welfare and protection topic. I wanted to feel helpful and give my hands for a cause that I unfortunately cannot support sufficiently in my everyday life. I found so much more than that. I discovered a passionate team, truly engaged in the elephants welfare, and also in the community life with the local Karen village. I experienced a rich immersion in the simple and healthy life that this small community is having and sharing. I met various, nice and joyful people.

I loved hiking everyday through the forest and fields to go to see elephants. I learned that observing an animal living its happy wild life is sooo satisfying. Slow down the rhythm, stop for a couple hours and really observe one elephant behavior and its interactions with other elephants creates such a powerful connexion between you and the animal. I am really thankful for this eye-opening experience!

Spending time in KSES is also discovering gorgeous landscapes, new cool colorful butterflies and weird bugs everyday, being surrounded by nature all the time. Besides the elephants projects, there are so many meaningful activities to enjoy like the biohikes, ecobricks making, English lessons in the village, games and quizz nights at the base, and so on. I felt like this is an environment that brings to more connexions between people and with the nature.

These two weeks were too short, because it is always too soon when we leave a place were we feel good. I felt amazing there, and I will probably come back someday. I can only hope you can experience it, it is so worth it!

Thank you to all the KSES team for what you do, for making this possible. Thank you to Nee, my homestay, who open her door to me and cooked for me everyday (not to mention her Nee’s corner and the delicious smoothies and iced teas!!). Thank you to all people from all around the world I met there for making this time memorable.