By Lisa Von Vintschger – 2 week intern

I volunteered for two weeks at KSES as a research intern, and I had the best time ever.

First of all, being able to see elephants in their natural habitat was incredibly rewarding. You realize that they don’t need us, humans—they are perfectly capable of living their lives on their own. Every day, I was excited to hike and observe the elephants. Each day, I learned more about this beautiful species: their names, their personalities, and how to recognize each one of them.

On the second day, we started collecting data and paying closer attention to small details and their meanings. It was my first time being part of a research project. Everything was structured and precise to ensure the data could be compared and used to publish information about Asian elephants. The purpose of this NGO is to help reintegrate elephants into the forest and gather more information about their behavior. This knowledge helps raise awareness about the natural behavior of elephants and provides other organizations with tools to implement improvements in animal welfare.

In the afternoons, we worked on “project work,” which could be related to elephants or other subjects. I chose to create biographies of women who weave, which allowed me to discover the local culture and connect with the people living in the village. During the internship, we stayed with a local family. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience because it made me realize that I don’t need much to live a fulfilling life. I was also able to communicate a little with the family, thanks to our Karen language lessons. Additionally, every week, we taught English to the adults in the village, helping them learn basic English skills. Part of the program’s funding goes directly to these families, and it was inspiring to see the positive changes that the NGO has brought to the community.

Lastly, beyond data collection, we also made a positive impact on the local community. We picked up trash in the village and during our hikes. We also conducted bio-hikes to observe and record the biodiversity around the area. This helps identify which species are present and contributes to their preservation.

Overall, this experience has left a lasting impact on me, and I know it will stay with me for the rest of my life! Da Blue!