| Name of Program | THAILAND: Chiang Mai-- Long Term | |
|---|---|---|
| Location: | Chiang Mai, Thailand | |
| Sponsoring Institution(s) | Kalamazoo College Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University | |
| Dates | Long Term: Late August to Early February | |
| Language of Instruction | English | |
| Eligibility Requirements | Junior Standing (17 units) Participation by Kalamazoo students in this program is subject to annual enrollment limits: 18. Contact the Center for International Programs for details. See the College catalogue for selection criteria. | |
| Additional Recommended Prep | ||
| GPA | 2.70 minimum | |
| Language | Minimum: English Maximum: English |
|
| Application Process | Application/Essay Required? Interview Required? Due Date for Applications |
|
| Approved for Transfer of | Kalamazoo Fin. Assistance/Scholarships Academic Credit | |
| Orientation on K Campus Required | Yes | |
| Academics | People, the Environment and Development is an academically challenging experiential learning program focused on tunderstanding the relationship between ecology, human communities and development. A core part of the program revolves around a series of of field-based expedition courses-- intensive 3-4 week courses focused on a single topic. Academic content is integrated with off-campus studies of the issues, learning in the context being studied. Remote travel by foot and difficult liveing situations are a necessary part of the expedition field courses. Students should be prepared to carry their own equipment over challenging terrain for days at a time.. | |
| Courses | During the September to December semester consists of Thai language and culture and a series of four (4) expendition field courses of 3-4 weeks each. These courses integrate Thai language and culture learning. All courses, except the Thai language course, are taught in English. Thai Language and Culture: A semester long course running concurrently with the other courses, this course focuses on acquiring both written and spoken Thai, as well as a working understanding of Thai culture and norms. (Language: 2 K-units) Political Ecology and Forests: This course focuses on the political ecology of upland Southeast Asia, understanding the pressures facing indigenous tribal people. The course will spend time traveling on foot through the rugged mountains of Northern Thailand, living and working with ethnic minority peoples. (ENV/ANTH) Social and Biological Factors in Sustainable Agriculture: The study of the social, political and economic systems surrounding sustainable food production will be grounded in the day-to-day life of living and working on an integrated organic farm. Students will live with farming families and learn about the theory and practice of agroecology and sustainability. (BIO/ENV/SOCY/AoS - Science) Island Environment and Cultures: The interface between land and sea is both culturally and environmentally rich. This course examines the complex interplay between the coastal environment of mangroves and the local cultures that depend on them for their survival. (ENV/ANTH) | |
| Credits | Students must enroll in the equivalent of 6 K-units of credit . Grades from all study abroad courses will appear on the Kalamazoo transcript but are not included in the Kalamazoo grade point average. The transcript will list the title of the course, the appropriate discipline, and a translation of the local grade into the Kalamazoo "A, B, C" grading system. Students must earn the equivalent of a "C" in the local grading system to receive credit for course work completed abroad. Consult the individual Program Descriptions and the College catalogue for additional information. | |
| ICRP/Field Study | ICRP topics will be selected and the work pursued with the help of the academic staff and may include internships with non-governmental organizations such as community development and relief groups, international organizations, human rights groups, media development, etc. The projects typically involve active participation by the student in the activities sponsored by the NGO, supplemented by field research and written materials (both secondary and primary sources) as appropriate. All ICRP's will be completed in the greater Chiang Mai area. (ICRP: one K-unit) | |
| Housing | The program will begin with a home stay with a Thai family in Chiang Mai. Following the home stay, students will be housed in private student dorms and/or apartments near the University. Home stay families will include both ethnic Thai (rural and urban) and tribal families, providing students the opportunity for insight into Thai and tribal culture. | |
| Co-Curricular Opportunities | ||
| Excursions | ||
| URL of Host Institution | http://www.kzoo.edu/cip/thailand/ | |
| Comprehensive Program Fee | ||
| Program Fee | $22,646 | |
| Comprehensive fee includes | tuition and fees, food and housing while classes are in session, round-trip international airfare from the designated point of departure, typically New York, and some excursions. | |
| Not included | books, medical expenses, personal spending money, food or housing during vacation periods or after classes have ended, and independent travel. |
This document contains the most accurate information available at the time of publication. Statements contained herein are not contractual obligations, and verbal or other representations that are inconsistent with or not contained within the Academic Catalogue's offerings or policies are not binding. Kalamazoo College and the Center for International Programs each reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or change, without specific notice, programs, offerings, policies, procedures, qualifications, fees, and other conditions.