| Description |
How does culture in Thailand differ from Western American culture? What is Thai Buddhism and how does it compare to American Christianity? This program will provide participants with the opportunity to explore both of these questions by immersing them in Thai culture—language, education, food, markets and artists. Students will also spend time visiting Buddhist temples like Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep where they will be able to dialogue with monks. While participants will spend part of their time learning about Thai culture and language at International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI), they will also engage the culture first-hand through guided excursions and day trips. |
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| Location |
The program will mainly take place in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Located in the northernmost region of the country, it is the largest city in the area with a population of 170,000 and boasts over 300 temples (or wats, in Thai). Day trips will include a visit to Doi Inthanon National Park which encompasses the highest mountain in Thailand. |
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| Faculty leaders |
Derek Brower, a member of the education department at Northwestern, and Joan Brower, a lecturer in art, will co-lead the Thailand program. Having lived in Thailand for two years with their family, Derek and Joan have cultivated numerous contacts there and will utilize their knowledge of Thai culture to keep students focused on being cultural observers, not tourists. ISDSI will provide on-site instruction for students in Thai culture and language. |
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| Course and credit |
Gen 350: Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies: Thailand, 4 credits. This course fulfills NWC’s cross-cultural general education requirement. Summer study abroad courses cannot be taken for audit. |
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| Program structure |
Participants will spend the first five days of the program on the NWC campus for the pre-departure seminar portion of the course. The pre-trip seminar will cover cultural adjustment and differences, provide basic language instruction and will inform students of logistical issues. In addition, students will research a topic from a list provided by the leader and present their findings to the group. While on-site, participants will spend time in culture and language classes at ISDSI. They will also hear lectures at Chiang Mai University (CMU) and interact with CMU students through an evening TESL program offered at The Center. Hands-on learning and opportunities to engage the culture will take place through visits to temples, museums, schools and markets. Students will have time to observe and reflect, especially as they take meals with the group in local eating establishments. The last two days will provide students with an opportunity to recap their experiences and debrief with the group. See the faculty leaders for a complete syllabus. |
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| Transportation |
Current plans have students flying as a group into Chiang Mai. Once on-site, students will be able to walk or use the public transportation system to reach their destinations. |
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| Housing and meals |
While in Chiang Mai, students will live at a guesthouse for part of their stay and will also be involved in homestays with Thai families. Living with a host family is one of the best ways to experience a culture and practice the language. |
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| Excursions and day trips |
Day trips include a visit to Doi Inthanon National Park. Aside from the highest mountaintop in Thailand, the park is also home to many waterfalls. A trip to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple founded in 1383, and to other temples is planned along with a cooking class where other internationals visiting Chiang Mai will be present. Students will spend a day rafting on the Ping River where they will get to see elephants and possibly take a ride. A weekend trip to Lanna Resort will give students time to reflect before preparing for the return trip to the States. |
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| Passport and visa |
For U.S. citizens, a passport is required for entry into Thailand; a visa is not required for tourist stays of less than 90 days. Information on how to obtain a passport is available from the summer study abroad office or http://travel.state.gov/. |
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| Vaccinations and health information |
The Center for Disease Control recommends that all routine vaccinations be up-to-date. The following are suggested vaccines: influenza, chicken pox, polio, MMR, DPT, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and malaria. Please see the faculty leader and the Center for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov) for more information and complete details. |
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| Eligibility |
All NWC students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or with the consent of the faculty leader are eligible to apply. This program is also available to non-NWC students on a space-available basis. |
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| Application |
The 2008 Thailand application consists of the two-page application form, two recommendations (one from a faculty member, one from a resident director), and a student-copy transcript. Applications are available on the summer study abroad website. |
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| Application deadline |
Jan. 15, 2008. Early application is encouraged. Early application is encouraged. A minimum enrollment of 12 is needed in order for the program to run. After the deadline, call for space-availability information. |
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| Program fee |
Tentatively, the program fee will be $4,000 per student. The final fee will depend on the actual number of participants and confirmed prices for airfare, exchange rates, etc. A better estimate of cost will be given in February, and the final fee will be determined by April 1. Every effort is being made to keep the cost at a minimum. The program fee includes tuition for four credits (at a reduced rate of half off regular summer school tuition rates), airfare, in-country transportation, housing, meals or meal stipend, international insurance (medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, basic health), pre-trip seminar and orientation, excursions, theatre tickets and museum entry fees. Participants will need to cover books, passport and pictures, some meals, individual travel, and spending money, among other items.
NWC summer study abroad programs are academic, credit-bearing experiences (not mission programs) that focus on broadening a student’s worldview through immersion in—and academic exploration of—a different culture. Therefore, the Northwestern College summer study abroad office does not sponsor nor coordinate fundraising activities to help participants cover the cost of the program fees. Payment of the program fees remains the responsibility of the participant. |
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| Tuition waiver |
The regular Northwestern College tuition waiver policy applies to summer study abroad courses. Eligible employees and their dependents may use the tuition waiver for the tuition amount only of the summer study abroad program fee. (See the staff and faculty handbook for more information.) Tuition waivers may not be used for the $250 deposit.
A full-tuition waiver for a 2008 four-credit course will equal $600 off the final program fee. (This figure equals the actual amount of tuition charged to participants as part of the final program fee, which is a special half-off discount of 2008 summer school tuition rates.)
Interested students should see Carrie Krohn in the summer study abroad office for more details. |
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| Deposit and financial aid |
Upon acceptance into the program, a $250 deposit will be required to hold a participant’s slot (participants will be notified of the exact payment deadline in the acceptance letter). This deposit will be applied to the final program fee. Financial aid, in the form of loans, may be available. Contact the NWC financial aid office for more information. |
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| Payment deadline |
After determination of the final program fee, on or around April 1, the SSAO will send out billings. Deadline for payment is May 1. Participants will be provided with the payment, cancellation and refund policies upon acceptance into the program. |
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Summer study abroad
