Spring students recently finished their semester as the academic year came to a close for ISDSI. The second half of the semester kept students busy as they headed to the mountains of Mae Hong Son for Forests course, celebrated Songkran (Thai new year), and headed down south for the Oceans course before returning to Chiang Mai to wrap up the semester.
Students were relieved to escape the heat of lowland Chiang Mai to venture into the mountains of Mae Hong Son. They spent several weeks with Ajaan Weena learning about forest ecology as well as the local knowledge and practices of the Karen living in the region. Upon their return to Chiang Mai, students had a week long break to experience and celebrate Songkran with city-wide water fights as well as more traditional activities with their host families. Last but not least, students enjoyed a few weeks studying the ecology of reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses in Baan Jao Mai, Trang and the Adang Archipelago. In addition to ecology activities, students met with (and stayed with in Baan Jao Mai) local instructors to learn how they utilize their coastal and marine resources.
A handful of students will be staying in Thailand to do extended internships, with others returning from previous semesters for internship and research opportunities. Many students are taking advantage of the extra time to do some independent travel before heading home. Meanwhile, the office is busy as everyone works to wrap up another successful year before gearing up for a big fall semester.
Emily taking notes on the Cycad to use for the plant identification activity.
Students make their way up Doi Pui for mid-course seminar.
Pati Sa Juu explains orchid conservation in Huay Hee to the students.
Silas, Nicole B., and Breanna work on the rai activity to investigate this 20 year fallow plot.
Josh and Heidi take wind and temperature readings during their forest transect.
Students and their host families before the final dinner in Baan Jao Mai, Trang (Southern Thailand).
Bang Eit, local instructor and host family coordinator, enjoys a moment during final dinner in Baan Jao Mai.
Josh thanks his host family in Baan Jao Mai (entirely in Thai!).
Roasting cashews harvested from a nearby tree in Baan Jao Mai.
Jean tries her hand at rubber tapping while Bang Hed watches closely.
Kayaking through the mangroves in Baan Jao Mai.
A student explores the expansive mud flat.
Although not visible at first, upon closer examination, hundreds of solider crabs appear on the mudflat.
Students slog through the mud to plant some mangrove propagules.
Students "pod-up" to consult the map while kayaking between islands in the Adang Archipelago.
Jean paddles on a stormy day in the Adang Archipelago.
Dean enjoying the paddle, despite the rainy weather.
