PROGRAM APPLICATION
Apply to Travel to Thailand with Us!
We’re so excited you’re interested in joining us in Thailand! HERE’S WHAT TO DO NEXT:
- Review our Enrollment Process (above).
- Read the Enrollment Eligibility Criteria & Program Rules (above).
- Submit your Enrollment Interest Form (below).
After you complete this brief form, we will email you with the information needed to complete the program application, schedule a Zoom interview, and pay the deposit. The deposit is included in the program fee and will be refunded if you are not accepted onto the program.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until one month prior to the program departure date. We keep our groups small to promote community building and cohesion. Spaces are limited as such. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, especially if you are interested in taking advantage of our interest-free program payment plan–the sooner your enroll, the less costly your monthly payment. Once a program is full, travelers will be placed on a waiting list.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected] – we’re here to help!
OUR ENROLLMENT PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE HOLISTIC SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF OUR TRAVELERS AND STAFF AND SET TRAVELERS UP FOR SUCCESS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THEIR PROGRAM. WE KNOW “APPLICATION” AND “INTERVIEW” CAN SOUND DAUNTING, BUT WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AT EVERY STEP.
Peruse the program page and familiarize yourself with the itinerary and activities
Read and agree to our Enrollment Eligibility Criteria and Program Rules
Submit the Enrollment Interest Form
Access the Program Application using the link you receive via email
Complete the Program Application
Pay your $500 deposit. Deposits are non-refundable unless you are not accepted onto the program
Schedule a 45-minute Zoom interview for a time when both traveler and primary parent/guardian can be present. We will discuss motivations, goals, and any concerns
Receive confirmation of enrollment via email within 5 business days of interview and the link to complete payment or, if applicable, begin an interest-free payment plan
Pay remainder of program fee in full or begin interest-free payment plan, and receive more information about program orientation kickoff via email
WE’RE HERE TO HELP! FOR ANY QUESTIONS, REACH OUT TO [email protected]
The health and wellbeing of our travelers and program leaders is our utmost priority.
Our programs traverse areas that may be remote and culturally, climatically, and environmentally unfamiliar and challenging. Additionally the standard of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, cleanliness, medical facilities, telecommunications, and infrastructure development may not be what our travelers are used to at home or would find on a conventional vacation. Due to these factors, the program activities, and the challenges of living and traveling in a small group, we require each student to be fully committed to the goals of the program.
Our programs are neither suitable for teens coming out of youth-at-risk, court-mandated, therapeutic, or substance abuse recovery programs nor teens with physical disabilities or injuries that prevent them from participating in the activities of the program.
Our essential enrollment eligibility criteria are intended to honestly identify the fundamental and requisite elements of participation which are integrally tied to safety and risk management considerations. Safety, effective education, overall health, and well-being of our travelers and staff are our top priorities. As such, the following enrollment eligibility criteria are essential for all program participants:
DIABETES DIAGNOSIS
- Travelers must be diagnosed with diabetes and use insulin to manage their diabetes. While most of our travelers have Type 1 Diabetes diagnoses, we welcome travelers and staff with insulin-dependent Type 2 Diabetes, MODY, Type 3c, or LADA.
- Travelers must have been diagnosed one or more years prior to the start of the program.
- Type 1 Way Ticket may enroll travelers diagnosed less than one year ago on a case-by-case basis if they possess the requisite maturity and self-management skills. If you or your child was diagnosed within the past year, please contact us to discuss further.
DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT
- Travelers must be able to self-manage their diabetes and any other medical and mental health conditions they live with.
- Travelers must be able to independently carry and care for their medications and treatment and self-administer medications and treatment at appropriate dosages/intervals.
- Travelers must have hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia awareness (experience and perceive symptoms of low and high blood sugars) OR use a Continuous Glucose Monitoring device that alerts traveler to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
CGMs & REMOTE MONITORING
- We recognize CGMs are unfortunately inaccessible for much of our community. CGM use is not required for enrollment.
- Travelers using CGMs are required to share access to their data with their program leaders. Travelers must also have CGM alerts for both low and high blood sugars turned on for the duration of the program.
- In order to foster independence, we do not permit parent/guardians to remote monitor their teen during the program. Those with access to travelers’ CGM data must agree to abide by our remote monitoring policy and temporarily disable follow access.
CELL PHONES & TECHNOLOGY
- Travelers and parents/guardians must agree to our cell phone and technology use policy which is designed to promote presence, community building, and the opportunity to disconnect from the stimulation of everyday life. Outside of travel to/from their program country, travelers’ cell phones may be used for diabetes management only. Computers, tablets, e-readers, gaming devices, etc. must be left at home.
LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION
- While travelers need not speak English as their first language, they must have a high level of English language fluency and comprehension.
- Travelers must be able to communicate openly and honestly with T1WT staff and engage with program activities, discussions, and reflections.
AGE
- Travelers must be between 15 and 19 years old–typically between their first year of high school and their first year of college/university. We may enroll travelers or Junior Program Leaders outside of this age range on a case-by-case basis.
- Anyone outside of this range may contact Type 1 Way Ticket to discuss their options.
MENTAL HEALTH
We know teens with T1D are up to 5x more likely to experience depression and anxiety than teens without. As such, we feel it is important to state that disclosing a mental health condition in your application does not mean your application will be rejected. Disclosure gives us the opportunity to discuss your management plan in the detail we need to assess whether we can support the unique needs of each of our travelers. As such:
- Travelers who have mental health conditions must disclose their condition(s) on the application. During the interview, we will discuss your needs for safe participation in a Type 1 Way Ticket program.
- We may require a letter from a healthcare professional which states the traveler is suited for participation in a Type 1 Way Ticket program.
- Travelers must not require therapy or psychiatric treatment during the dates of their program. We are unable to accommodate tele-therapy appointments on-program.
- Travelers must be able to self-manage their condition(s).
- Type 1 Way Ticket reserves the right to withdraw the traveler from the program if their mental health condition is not disclosed on the application.
SAFETY &
JUDGEMENT
- Travelers must practice good self care by maintaining adequate hydration, sufficient food intake for blood sugar and energy needs, sufficient sleep/rest, and dressing appropriately for both the culture and climate. Travelers must take the preventative measures necessary to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat sickness, sunburn or frostbite.
- Travelers must be able to communicate with or to program leaders and other participants regarding potential hazards/risks, personal distress, injury, or need for assistance.
- Travelers must be able to independently identify and recognize potential hazards including but are not limited to environmental, cultural, social, interpersonal, and travel hazards.
PROGRAM BEHAVIOR &
LEADERSHIP
- Each traveler must be able to abide by the Program Rules.
- Travelers must be able to take care of and know the location of their possessions at all times.
- Travelers take turns acting as the “Leader of the Day” to hone their leadership skills. Each traveler must be able to display inclusion, compassion, and respect towards group members, program leaders, and members of the communities with which we interact. They must also be able to work effectively as a team despite potentially stressful and challenging conditions.
- Each traveler must have an open mind and willingness to challenge their ideas and assumptions. They must possess the maturity and awareness to see how their behavior may be perceived by others and the ability to act appropriately in group settings and in new cultures.
- Travelers must be able to respond appropriately in the face of unexpected challenges such as bugs, inclement weather, changes in the itinerary, unfamiliar surroundings, and homesickness.
- Individual travelers must not continually take a greater share of the program leaders’ focus and energy than other travelers.
Type 1 Way Ticket programs are designed to provide fun, safe, and meaningful experiences for travelers. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential that we create an environment of safety, trust, and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct. Any of the following are grounds for dismissal from program at their family or guardian’s expense or in-country consequences at our discretion.
ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs
- Associating with other travelers while they are in possession of or are consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs and failing to immediately notify Type 1 Way Ticket program leaders
- Abusing insulin self-administration or repeated diabetes mismanagement
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes continually displaying a negative attitude, intimidating/bullying or excluding other travelers, sneaking out, disobeying program leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of safety, trust, and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Engaging in harmful or risk-taking behavior
- Getting a piercing or tattoo
- Stealing or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings, or materials
- Threatening physical or emotional harm
- Possessing or purchasing a weapon
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle/transportation
- Being out of designated areas or accommodations after curfew
- Breaking the group norms established by each group of travelers at the beginning of the program