Interested learning about the Sustainable Development Studies Program and other opportunities at ISDSI? Come to Chiang Mai to learn about our innovative approach to experiential learning.
Spend four days in urban and rural Thailand. This site visit and field study is appropriate for faculty working in the US and abroad, as well as administrators and staff working in study abroad. These four days will give you a thorough introduction into our community based approach to education, as well as help you better understand risk management and experiential learning.
Focused on ISDSI’s innovative “Sustainable Development Studies: Thailand” program, we will dive deep into curriculum design, cultural learning, and how we keep academic quality high while engaging with local communities. Using the principle of “having the villager be the teacher” (ให้ชาวบ้านเป็นครู), participants will take part in experiential learning activities, including discussions with local community members and colleauges.
In addition to the field studies, there will be ample time to visit the ancient city of Chiang Mai, spend time getting to know new colleagues from other colleges and universities, and enjoy time on your own to process and reflect.
Schedule
Day 1:
- Overview of the workshop and introductions
- Thai culture and language orientation
- Overview of ISDSI
- Principles of community-based experiential learning
- Assessing when experiential learning is appropriate
- Principles of activity and course design
- Field Study: Markets and temples of Chiang Mai
Day 2:
- Field Study: Mae Taa Sustainable Farming Community
- Meeting with Organic Farming Community Leaders
- Farm to Table Activity and host family visits in the village
- Debrief
Day 3:
- Field Study: Elephant conservation
- Field Study: Coffee and cacao production
- Debrief
- Free time / meetings with ISDSI staff
Day 4:
- Risk management and experiential learning
- Practical steps to assessing and integrating experiential learning into courses and programs
- Wrap-up