During the UA in Asia program, we had the opportunity to visit Laos, a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia known for its natural landscapes. During our journey we stayed in the city of Luang Prabang, which was one the most scenic and memorable destinations we visited throughout the program. This city is well known for its natural scenery, where attractions like the Mekong River, Kuang Si waterfalls, and Pak Ou Caves drawn in tourists from around the world. One of the highlights of our visit to Laos was travelling to the Elephant Village Sanctuary, an inspiring destination created in 2001 that rescues elephants who experienced harsh treatment from the logging industry and harmful tourist attractions like elephant riding. The sanctuary focuses on providing elephants with a peaceful environment where they are given all of the resources they need to live a long and happy life, such as medical care, space to roam, and a quality diet. The Elephant Village is a powerful representation of responsible tourism, where the local community benefits from ethical tourist attractions while the elephants live in a stress-free environment. While visiting the Elephant Village we had the privilege of interacting with 6 elephants, including 2 babies! During our visit, we got to feed the elephants and take pictures with them, which made for an experience that I will truly never forget! We also had the opportunity to learn about the importance of wildlife conservation efforts and responsible tourism, along with how to communicate with elephants using the local language!
