2012 is already off to a busy start for the institute!
With 17 new spring semester students arriving the first week of 2012 and 20 fall semester students continuing in January with internships and research projects, there is plenty to keep staff busy.
New and seasoned host families were excited to welcome their first or newest ISDSI student into their homes.
Spring semester students quickly learned what “experiential education” means here as they had a brief orientation before spending a weekend immersed in Thai language and culture with their new host families. Now in their second week in the country they are engaged in intensive Thai, cross fit and their first course of the semester, Foundations. The Foundations course provides a broad overview of Thai culture, society, and politics while allowing for field trips such as rock climbing, city orientation, markets studies, organic farming introduction, and hiking to the iconic temple on Doi Suthep.
Meanwhile, many fall semester students still in the country are working in Chiang Mai and around Northern Thailand on a wide array of internships and research projects such as teaching English, working with Buremese refugees, surveying local restaurants, assisting at partner organizations like ECHO and UHDP, and much more.
While students got settled in with their internships and host families, instructors were busy prepping for the upcoming Rivers course. Staff traveled to the Yom River (in Phrae) and the Mekong River (in Issan) to scout the river, locations, and make contacts to make the course run as smoothly as possible.
ISDSI also hosted visitors from Azuza Pacific University (APU) in California when several Global Studies students and their professor visited Northern Thailand. Working with ISDSI staff, they learned about environmental and development issues in and around Chiang Mai as they consider initiating a program in the region.
Last, but not least, Ajaan Abram Bicskler and his wife Becca welcomed Benjamin Justus Bicksler to their family at 12:17pm on January 10th! Benjamin, weighing in at 8.02 pounds and measuring 20.5 inches, joins his older sister Ellie.
Pi Pu and Ajaan Wilasane go over ISDSI policies during the host family orientation.
Silas meets his new host mom and younger brother.
Cristin is greeted by her new host parents.
Jean making her way up a one of the routes at Crazy Horse Buttress.
Danielle enjoying the rappel.
Nicole Ludema, Josh, Lourdes, Danielle, Nicole Beetle, and Jean get ready for the rappel.
Staff go over the macro-invertebrate study to find the best location to conduct the study during the upcoming rivers course.
Benjamin Justus Bicksler, a few days old.
