once in a lifetime experiences

Some of the things you'll do on a semester at ISDSI

A semester at ISDSI is rich with unforgettable experiences.

Because we are a field-based hands-on program, a lot of our time is spent outside the classroom.  Throughout the semester students are constantly exploring the rich cultures and ecosystems of Thailand, from the mountains in the North to the islands and beaches in the South.  Below are just a few photos to see some of the things you might do while on a semester at ISDSI!

Exploring Around Chiang Mai

  • Meeting an elephant at Patara Elephant Conservation Center
  • Feeding elephants at Patara Elephant Conservation Center
  • Making friends with a mom and baby elephant!
  • Feeding (healthy) snacks to elephants at Patara Elephant Conservation Center
  • Mincing garlic
  • A fun day learning about Thai food!
  • Group workout at CrossFit Chiang Mai
  • Workout done!
  • Hand-made chocolate bars during a class on local cacao and chocolate production.
  • Learning about the art and architecture of Thai temples
  • Learning more about Thai Buddhism
  • Learning about mindfulness
  • Sharing amazing Thai snacks while out exploring Chiang Mai
  • Exploring a waterfall near Chiang Mai
  • Day hike out to a waterfall!

Hiking

  • Hiking along a ridge
  • Summit photo
  • Enjoying lunch packing in banana leaves
  • Hiking above the hills on Doi Inthanon, Thailand's tallest mountain
  • Hiking down a road in the mountains
  • Casually running into some elephants on a hike!
  • Elephants while hiking isn't something you see every day!
  • Taking time out of a hike to check the water quality along an upland stream
  • On the mountain above the clouds

Hands-on learning in the village

  • Picking highland Arabica coffee cherries
  • Planing coffee tree saplings
  • Planing shade grown coffee trees
  • Picking tea leaves
  • Fresh tea leaves!
  • Roasting fresh tea leaves
  • Sorting and Preparing tea
  • Tasting tea
  • Cacao farm survey
  • Cacao pods almost ready to harvest
  • Learning from village experts about seed saving
  • Amazing fresh food out on the porch in the village
  • Gardening in the village
  • Massive tubers harvested out of the field!
  • Corn harvest
  • Melting wax of batik
  • Traditional batik patterns
  • Wax and dye batik paintings
  • Learning how to weave on a traditional Karen backstop loom
  • Stitching jobs tears (seeds) onto a traditional Karen blouse
  • Practicing weaving

Exploring the Oceans

  • Swimming on the beach
  • Kayaking through the mangroves
  • Paddling through mangroves
  • Looking for some of the amazing birdlife in mangroves
  • Paddling past fish pens near the village
  • Heading out in a longtail boat through the mangroves
  • Sunset from the village
  • Mudflat as the tide is going down
  • Some of the shells on the mudflats
  • Helping restore local ecosystems by planting sea grass
  • Wading in shallow water out to the study site for the day
  • Biodiversity survey of the mudflats
  • Learning about seagrasses and mudflats
  • Fresh caught crabs!
  • Fresh steamed crabs
  • Catch of the day!
  • Cuttlefish
  • Crab in a basket!
  • Fishing with local villagers!
  • Grilled squid for dinner
  • Heading out for a day of reef ecology studies
  • Snorkeling and skin diving to learn about the reefs
  • Skin diving
  • Clownfish!
  • Community ecotourism and education boardwalk through the mangroves
  • Small fishing boast along the coast
  • Fresh seafood in the village

Application Deadlines

Semester Application Deadlines: Fall – March 15 / Spring – October 15

Summer Application Deadline: April 1

After the deadline we will accept students on a space available basis, so contact us at [email protected]

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