Study People, Ecology and Development in Thailand

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 

Description: Academically challenging and intensely experiential, ISDSI courses are expeditions into the cultures and ecologies of Thailand. Each course is focused on understanding sustainable development and designed in collaboration with local communities.

Each semester is a series of month-long block courses, allowing students to travel and live with local people in places that tourists and university based study abroad programs rarely go. The most comprehensive study abroad program in Thailand, ISDSI has courses in every region of the country. Courses run in both the fall and spring semester of each academic year.

The program is open to undergraduate students in all majors in good academic standing (minimum 2.7 GPA) and enrolled in accredited US colleges and universities. While not required, students are strongly urged to have taken some classes dealing with sustainable development, ecology and ecosystems, development studies, and related fields before the program starts.

Highlights: A unique way to do study-abroad

Integrating both the social and natural sciences, on our courses students may work on an organic farm alongside villagers while learning about agroecosystems, backpack on remote forest trails in the mountains with ethnic people in order to study indigenous forest management, sea kayak to learn about oceans, reefs and fishing communities, or paddle a river with village elders while studying ethnoecology.

What you learn

During a semester with ISDSI, students are challenged intellectually, emotionally and often physically. Our Expedition Field Courses are rewarding and unique. The intensive study of the Thai language is coupled with training in expedition skills, field study techniques, and leadership. More than academic studies alone, students on ISDSI courses are fully immersed and engaged.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: $14,500 per semester

Comprehensive fee for 2007-2008:
Semester: $14,500
Semester plus January or Summer block: $18,125
Full academic year: $ 29,000

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Scholarships are available, usually from $500 to $3,500 per semester. Depending on the policy of your home institution, other financial aid may apply.

Application Process Involves:

• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Sustainable Development Studies Institute's Mission Statement: Developing committed leaders for a sustainable future through innovative experiential study programs focused on sustainable development and the environment. Our mission is to combine the best of study abroad and cross-cultural immersion with outdoor education and experiential learning. Our programs combing intensive language study with experiential learning--backpacking, sea kayaking, and living and working with tribal villagers, local people, and others throughout Thailand.

Year Founded: 1999