Fall semester students finished their term in December after completing both the “Forests” and “Oceans” courses. Many students have remained in Chiang Mai to work on internships in and around the city. Others returned back to the United States, resuming their studies at their home universities.

Students were exposed to two very different environments during their field courses, first heading north into the mountains and then south to the coast and off-shore islands. During both courses, students stayed with host families in local communities, allowing them to gain unique perspectives on the resource management and development in the area. Although the ecology and the people vary greatly in the two areas, students could use their experiences to draw their own conclusions about similarities and differences. Not only did students get to travel to two distinct regions of the country, but they also had the opportunity to try out significantly different expedition skills, with backpacking in the north and sea kayaking and snorkeling in the south. The contrast of the two courses is a great example of the consistently engaging and varied education students receive during their semester at ISDSI.

The new year also brought a new group of students as ISDSI welcomed the spring cohort in January (check back soon to see updates on their arrival and first few weeks).

Students complete one of the many river crossings during one of their hikes.

Students hike through the forests of Mae Hong Son during the Forests course.

Zena and Jenny try their hands at rice threshing during a rai (dry rice field) day with their host families.

Emily celebrates a break in the hike.

Students enjoy the unconventional classroom: mid course seminar on the top of Doi Pui, the highest point in Mae Hong Son province.

The entire fall 2012 cohort posing with Forest instructors at mid-course seminar.

A rainbow over the mangroves near Baan Jao Mai.

A local instructor demonstrates how to greed yaang (tap a rubber tree).

Reid attempts to follow the example of the local instructor.

Students work with local instructors to make roti, a traditional Southern Thai food.

Mary and her host mom exchange kind words and gifts as the group wrapped up their time in Baan Jao Mai village.

Students pose with their host families before enjoying the farewell party in Baan Jao Mai village.

Kari skin dives to get a closer look at the reefs.

A nice day on the reef in the Andaman Sea.

Paddling through the rain (and sun) in the Adang archipelago.