Come to Thailand for the summer!

Summer Courses at ISDSI

ISDSI offers three options for summer studies!

If you are new to Thailand or a returning student, ISDSI offers summer courses that will help you advance your personal, professional, and academic goals, preparing you for graduate school or your career post-graduation.

Our summer programs are open to both undergraduate and graduate students. If you are a graduate student, the summer programs can be an outstanding preparation for your fieldwork and thesis or dissertation.

We offer a mix of programs for the summer, each designed and based off of over 25 years of running study-abroad programs in Thailand that are deeply experiential and help support and build the capacity of local communities.

Agroecology and Entrepreneurship: Coffee, Cacao, and Cannabis

This 4-week experiential learning course focusing on agroecology and entrepreneurship through the study of coffee, chocolate, and cannabis production. It includes intensive classroom learning, field studies, and a research project. Participants explore cultural and ecological practices, visiting farms, cafes, and production sites.

Elephants and Conservation Ecology: Thailand and Laos

This course is a 4-week experiential course in Thailand and Laos focused on Asian elephant conservation. Students study wild and domestic elephants in wildlife sanctuaries and conservation centers, explore cultural relationships, and conduct independent research. Highlights include visits to UNESCO sites, hands-on experiences with elephants, and insights into re-wilding and ecotourism practices. Designed for students interested in ecology, veterinary science, and wildlife biology, the course blends practical learning with cultural immersion, and extensive hands-on learning with elephants.

Marine and Tropical Coastal Ecosystems: Whales, Sea Turtles, and Reefs

The Tropical Marine Ecology course by ISDSI is a 4-week summer course in Thailand exploring marine conservation and ecosystem interactions. Students study Bryde’s whales, sea turtles, and coral reefs, engage in field research, and earn SCUBA diving certifications. The program combines ecological studies with cultural immersion, focusing on sustainability and human impacts on marine life. This course is recommended for students in environmental studies, conservation biology, wildlife studies, and related fields.

How to apply

Go to our How to Apply to ISDSI Programs page.

Email us at [email protected] if you’re thinking of applying! We can help you with your application and the required materials.

Course Syllabi

ISDSI Course Syllabi Page

Course Information and Posters

Jump to our Summary Sheet and Poster page to download program information and a poster!

Tuition and Fees

Jump to our Tuition and Fees page for details on tuition and financial aid.

deadlines

Early Decision: January 31 / Deadline: April 1

Some programs fill quickly! Apply early to secure your spot. After the deadline we will accept students on a space available basis, so contact us at [email protected]

2027 Dates

Arrival in Chiang Mai: May 29
Orientation: May 30
Classes start: May 31
Classes end: June 25
Student can leave Chiang Mai: June 26

Application Deadlines

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

Summer Application Early Decision: January 31 / Deadline: April 1

Some programs fill quickly! Apply early to secure your spot. After the deadline we will accept students on a space available basis, so contact us at [email protected]