The International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI) is a recognized leader in innovative study-abroad programs.

In 2005 ISDSI's People Environment and Development program was recognized as one of three "best practice" programs by the Institute of International Education (IIE) Andrew Heiskell Awards, and in 2006 was nominated as a UNESCO Centre of Excellence.

ISDSI developed the People, Ecology and Development program with Kalamazoo College, widely recognized as one of the top schools in the US for study abroad, and ranked #1 for its study abroad programs in US News & World Report 2003 America's Best Colleges.

We run the most comprehensive study-abroad programs in Thailand, with courses in every major region of the country, from the Northern mountains to the islands of Southern Thailand.

ISDSI has also achived recognition for leading the field of study-abroad in risk management, with published papers and participation in international conferences on risk management, including our paper on "The Objective Hazards of Culture" from the 2004 NOLS/OB/SCA Wilderness Risk Management Conference and "Risk Management in Study Abroad" in Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, Vol. 9, 2003 (available online or as a download).

ISDSI is committed to excellence and accountability and has invited reviews from the National Outdoor Leadership School, the School for Field Studies and our academic partners in colleges and universities.

Molly Doran (Global Operations Director, NOLS), from a National Outdoor Leadership School review of ISDSI:

"The students I spoke with said the program exceeded expectations... this program has strong, creative and capable leadership and is professionally managed... It would be impossible to list all the things ISDSI is doing well or soundly as they are lengthy. I was impressed with the program and will recommend it to others."

Bill Fredrick (Safety Director), School for Field Studies:

"I wish to compliment you on your program. The risk management was heads and shoulders above what most of study abroad is doing. Also, after spending several days of sitting in on program debriefs, reviewing documents and interviewing staff and students, my impression was that the program is outstanding... Far from the "party" caricature so common in study abroad, these students were humble, earnest and very thoughtful about their experiences. "

The International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI) is an initiative of the Center for International Programs at Kalamazoo College. The Institute exists to help develop experiential educational programs with other schools, organizations or groups. In addition to our core semester length program, People Environment and Development, we also host a number of short term (multi-week) study-abroad, service-learning and related programs.

ISDSI is a part of The Foundation for Experiential Learning, a non-profit educational foundation established by Kalamazoo College in Thailand to help support the development of innovative experiential learning internationally.

While Northern Thailand remains our base, ISDSI Expedition Field Courses take place throughout Thailand--from remote islands in the Andaman sea to dense urban cities like Bangkok.

Mark A. Ritchie--Executive Director / Instructor, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley (Sociology)

Subongkoch Kruangkham (Pi Pu)--Administrative Coordinator, M.A., Chiang Mai University (Education)

Nutchanart Jaisodsai (Pi Toi)--Accountant, B.A., Payap University (Accounting)

Chonlada Chawai (Pi Noi)--Administrator, B.A., Payap University (Management)

Instructors

James M. Ryan--Program Associate, M.D., Wayne State University (Doctor of Medicine)

Christina Fink--Program Associate, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley (Anthropology)

Kimberly Thompson, M.S., London School of Economics (Development Studies)

Brendan Carroll--Field Director, B.A., Kalamazoo College (Human Development and Social Relations)

Rojana Nasor (Pi Toto), B.A., Ramkamhaeng University (Sociology & Anthropology)

Siriporn Klapthung (Pi Pui), B.A., Rajapat University (Tourism Industry)

Nartlada Glinhom (Pi Pookie), B.A., Chiang Mai University (English)

Aaron Koning, B.A., Wheaton College (Biology)

Carrie Sedlek, B.A., University of Denver (Geography and Anthropology)

Thai language instructors

Pongsawaite Charoenchai, B.A., Chiang Mai University (English)

Petchara Meesook, B.A., Chiang Mai University (English Language)

Wilasinee Luadkham, B.A., Bangkok University (Thai Language and Literature)

Supawadee Chinnamee, B.A., Srinakarinwirot University (English)

Amaralak Khamhong, B.A., Mahasarakam University (English)

Others: We also draw on faculty from various universities in Thailand, as well as guest speakers from a wide variety of international and local NGOs. We also host faculty and graduate students from schools in the United States and elsewhere for both teaching and research at ISDSI.