ISDSI students have been busy! In addition to continuing intensive Thai classes and settling in with their host families, students officially started their “Foundations” course. Over the next four weeks, they’ll receive a broad overview of Thai history, religion, and politics. Keeping in line with the experiential education philosophy of ISDSI, an integral part of the Foundations course has been field trips, most recently to the Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Center and to Wat Ou Mong, a unique forest wat (temple) on the edge of Chiang Mai. With a topical background to support them, students were free to explore and engage on their own in each of these locations to see their seminar topics in a different light. There is still time for recreation, though, as students ventured out of the city for a day of rock climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress with our friends at Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures (CMRCA). The day provided everyone with chance to get acquainted with one another in a different setting, see some beautiful cliffs, and chance to climb with the professionals of CMRCA. To see more of how the students are getting and staying physically active and fit, check out the Chiang Mai Crossfit page (http://www.cfcnx.com/).
Students play team building games before heading out to climb
More games gets everyone laughing.
Cassie makes her way up to the base of a climbing route.
Brendan works his way up the rock wall.
Group shot before rappelling into the cave: Andrew, Zane, Dan, Nicki, Cassie, Mel, Casey, Rebecca, Janelle, and Hish.
Casey, Zane, Dan, Nicki, Rebecca, Andrew, and Hish hike up to the cave entrance in preparation for the rappel.
Group shot with Crazy Horse Buttress in the background.
