EducatoryX is an organization aiming to provide underprivileged children with access to education. It is partnered with the Seventh-day Adventist Church to support schools along the Thai-Burmese border. I joined EducatoryX in my freshman year with a friend to meet new people and contribute to a unique cause of helping students internationally. I was especially interested in meeting and helping people of different backgrounds to broaden my perspectives on the diverse cultures in the world. 

In June 2023, EducatoryX went on a trip to Chiang Rai, where we visited a community school and the KGS (Keep Girls Safe) Foundation and conducted various activities to help with their English. To maintain connections with the girls we had assisted the previous year, we organized a similar trip due to its overwhelming popularity. Unlike the last occasion, where my involvement was primarily as a participant, this time, I embraced the role of the organizer. This transition proved challenging given the limited planning I had undertaken the first time. However, in December, along with planning outreach activities, we donated sports equipment and educational materials for the school to use in their sports programs.

Before the trip, I was responsible for organizing different activities, such as the sports camp, English camp, and outreach activities for the KGS girls. One of the significant challenges in planning this trip was the time constraint for flight tickets and activity planning. When we contacted the ADRA Representative in Chiang Rai, we were already behind on flight logistics and needed to get the permission forms out as soon as possible. Nevertheless, meeting the children in the school and old friends from the KGS Foundation was the trip's highlight. 

I enjoyed the challenge of teaching English with a language barrier and the rewarding experience that came with it—my favorite moments revolved around connecting with the girls during their sports camp, where friendly competition was a unifying force. In summary, my leadership on this trip taught me to be more flexible and spontaneous in different situations—such as adjusting lesson plans or managing others. The responsibility of planning and executing this diverse experience has taught me to be more open-minded in the face of challenges or obstacles.