Study Abroad

DU offers this program in cooperation with Kalamazoo College and the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI), whose mission is to develop committed leaders for a sustainable future through intensive study of people, the environment and sustainable development.

Location: Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, is part of the Mekong region (an area including Yunnan China, Northern Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam). Northern Thailand offers tremendous contrasts—remote tribal villages, a small but international city, lowland rice farms, and a mosaic of the languages and cultures of the Mekong region. The region is mountainous, with wide flat valleys. It is also an excellent manifestation of the contrasts and challenges of globalization and development. An active community of nongovernmental organizations works on local responses to globalization and development, providing a valuable resource for students interested in studying sustainable development in both urban and rural areas.
Areas of Study: ISDSI's Expedition Field Courses are the core of the program. Each course includes a focus on people, the environment and development and each field course is designed to maximize student learning through deep immersion in the local cultures and ecology. Students participate in the following courses during the fall term: Thai Language and Society; Agroecology; Political Ecology of Forests; Islands and Culture.
Activities: Because this is an experiential learning environment, you will be involved in local activities on a daily basis and will have the opportunity to interact with many Thai citizens.
Accommodations: You will live in homestay settings as well as residence halls. Meals are included in the program.
Academic Calendar: Fall term: August–December
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA. This is a competitive program. Only five DU students can participate each semester.
Language of Instruction: English
Web site: Study Abroad: www.isdsi.org
Classes: www.isdsi.org/courses.html
Additional information: Flyer

At a Glance

Cherrington Scholars Eligible

Called Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a European power.
Thai cuisine is celebrated for incorporating a blend of fundamental flavors—spicy, sour, sweet, salty and bitter—in every dish.
The national sport of Thailand is a martial art called Muay Thai, also known as “the science of eight limbs” because it employs the hands, feet, elbows and knees.
When greeting each other, Thais seldom shake hands. Instead, they press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture known as a wai.
In classical “Khon” dramas, mask-clad performers use singing, dancing, acting and acrobatics to tell stories based on the Ramakien, the Thai version of an Indian epic.
When visiting heads of state arrive in Thailand, they are greeted with an elephant procession, considered the greatest honor to bestow upon a guest.
The two pillars of Thai society are Buddhism and the monarchy—both of which have been influential institutions for hundreds of years.