The experience of a lifetime
By Kiana - 2 week intern
In June 2026 I had the great pleasure of visiting Ban Naklang and KSES for a two week internship. Coming from a non-scientific background part of me was anxious to see if I’d really fit in here and be able to contribute, and from the moment I arrived and met the team I knew I was worried for nothing. The staff and Karen community were so incredibly welcoming, I felt like a part of the team from the first introduction. I cannot begin to cover all I learnt about the elephants, the community and myself into a blog but I can highlight some of the moments that impacted me the most.
Firstly, the elephants. I never truly appreciated just how incredible these creatures are until I saw them in their natural habitat. I’ve always had a love for animals, especially elephants, and seeing them at peace was so healing in a way I can’t even explain. Some of my favourite moments were while watching Too Meh and Mae Doom forage, they were both so calm and relaxed that we were able to get quite close without concern. It was so soothing, watching them, to see such powerful creatures get to explore and live a life of peace and good food, lots and lots of food.
Secondly, the Karen people were so welcoming and I learnt so much from them. From my first night in my homestay cooking dinner with Nee to the English lessons with the kids, the sense of community here was amazing. One of my favourite experiences with the village was helping teach the kids English. Even after a full day of school, the kids still gathered together with us to practice their English. Their enthusiasm and desire to learn was so refreshing, I think we sometimes take education and language for granted and it was so lovely to see such interest in learning. After practicing, and many games of UNO, the kids would still greet you in English when passing in the village, practicing it outside of class. It was such a good opportunity for them to learn and practice the language with English speakers, but also for me to connect and engage with them.
Lastly, the whole team is just incredible, they’re considerate, knowledgeable and so kind. My time at KSES felt like I was a part of the family, and it wasn’t just during our many conversations during hikes. It was cooking fried bananas with Rose and Celia for Lucia’s birthday, teaching the kids English with Celia and Kanda, getting to know Cristina and Tilly, talking with Lucia about all the books we want to read and eating each meal together as a group. One of my favourite parts of this trip has been what I learnt from these women. Not just about the elephants and the community, but also about life.
Overall my experience in Ban Naklang was something I’ll never forget and taught me so much about community, conservation and about myself. The people, the animals, the scenery, it’s all so incredibly special that I hope to return someday soon.
