Living and Volunteering in Northern Thailand

Ayyyy welcome back to your fave travel podcast. Thanks for tuning in and getting yourself ready to make some MOVES with me. Let's get it!In Season 4 Episode 21, I am joined by Deanna, hailing from the UK. Deanna’s love for travel began at 15, when she fundraised for a month-long volunteer trip to Borneo with her school. Experiencing a completely different way of life sparked a desire to truly immerse herself in future travels, even though she didn’t yet have the confidence or know how that would look.After COVID, while working at a convenience store, the urge to travel returned. Discovering au pairing led her to Orlando, Florida at 19, where she spent two years traveling across the United States on her days off, visiting 21 states and gaining the confidence to travel solo. She later volunteered in Tanzania for two months, an experience that pushed her far outside her comfort zone and deepened her connection to meaningful travel.In February 2025, after a year of saving, Deanna set off for Asia, beginning with three months in India filled with local festivals, personal growth, and lifelong friendships. But it was Thailand that truly defined her travel style. After meeting a fellow traveler in a hostel, she was invited to stay in a remote village in northern Thailand. The week that followed — planting rice, helping on a farm, wild camping, trying unfamiliar foods, and learning about the Karen people — became a turning point.That experience showed Deanna that immersive travel, living alongside locals and experiencing daily life firsthand, is what she connects with most. Through documenting her journey, she aims to share perspectives and ways of life many people may never otherwise see. Tune in today!To follow Deanna's moves on social media: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow the Makin Moves with Matt Podcast on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with your Host on Social MediaMatt:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Makin Moves with Matt:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Makin Moves with Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠