Vietnam-Thailand Cultural History Tour

  Thailand

• Bangkok: 
Bangkok
• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai
• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Sukhotai

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi
• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Hue,  Nha Trang city

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 20 - July 21

Description: The EMU Vietnam-Thailand Cultural History Tour is a 30 day summer study-tour to Vietnam and Thailand. Travel and study in Vietnam and Thailand with experienced EMU faculty and staff. It's an ideal learning environment because it integrates reading and writing with direct involvement to give a richer understanding of the subject than book learning alone could possibly give. Earn 3-6 hours of undergraduate credit in History, Political Science, Art, and Religion.

Highlights: Travel to these great cities in Vietnam and Thailand: Hong Kong, Hanoi, Hue, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and Ko Samet.

Hong Kong is an impressive example of Western economic development in the Third World. Controlled by the British from the 19th century to 1997, Hong Kong has been able to make such incredible steps in modernization. We will take the Peak Tram to the top of the Peak for a view o f the harbor and city. Naturally, we will visit the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Museum of Art.

Hanoi the present capital has a quiet charm with its many boulevards, parks and lakes. We will visit sites such as the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Army Museum and the "Hanoi Hilton," the prison where American POWs were held during the war. One evening we will enjoy a performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets.

Hue is considered one of the cultural centers of Vietnam. We will visit several of the splendid tombs of these emperors, the Citadel, the Imperial Museum, and the famous Thien Mu Pagoda. From here we hope to travel to the DMZ and to some of the American bases used to interrupt the infiltration of goods and men along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
               
We will travel by bus to My Lai (Son My), the site of the moving Memorial those killed in the My Lai Incident during the Vietnam War.
               
In Nha Trang we hope to be able to visit the Pasteur Institute founded by Dr. Yersin, a Frenchman who is still beloved by the Vietnamese. The remainder of the day will be free for a well earned rest on the white sandy beach which runs along the whole length of the city.
               
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was the capital of South Vietnam from 1956-1975. Our sightseeing tour will take us to sites such as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnant Museum. We will make an excursion out of town to the ornate Cao Dai Temple, a curious combination of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.

Our stay in Bangkok will start with a walking tour of the area of Ko Ratanakosin. We will visit the Wat Pho with its large reclining Buddha, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Grand Palace. We will examine Thai art at the National Museum, visit the Royal Barges, and take a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River.

We will travel to Sukhothai which has the ruins of one of the earliest capitals of Thailand. Here we will visit the important temples of the old district and the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, which offers an introduction to Sukhothais history and culture.
               
Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city and was once part of the independent Lanna Thai Kingdom. We will visit the famous Crystal Buddha and the Phra Singh Buddha Temples. We will then visit the National Museum, which houses many Buddha images. We will make an excursion outside of the city to see some of the hill peoples. In the evenings we hope to see performances of hill tribe dances.
                  
Ko Samet is a small island just south of Bangkok with wonderful beaches. We will use the time in this resort area to finish coursework and rest up for the long flight home.

Cost in US$: $3,650

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 25

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Eastern Michigan University's Mission Statement: Eastern Michigan University is committed to excellence in teaching, the extension of knowledge through basic and applied research, and creative and artistic expression. Eastern Michigan University offers a variety of study abroad programs including Cultural History Tours, travel and study tours, direct exchanges, intensive language and winter break programs. Most programs are open to students from any college or university. EMU students can apply financial aid awards toward the programs. We also provide advising and information about study abroad opportunities available through other universities, work or volunteer opportunities abroad and budget travel.

Year Founded: 1849