Sustainable Development Studies in Thailand
- Thailand
- Chiang Mai
About Program
The Sustainable Development Studies in Thailand program is a life changing opportunity that will get you out of the traditional classroom and into the field on adventurous expedition-style courses. Traveling from remote hill tribe villages in the north to the southern islands, you will study the unique relationships between Thailand's rich cultures and diverse eco-systems while learning from local community leaders. You will kayak the Andaman Sea, trek the mountains of northern Thailand, learn about sustainable agriculture, conduct coral reef surveys, live with host families & more!
Hands-on and academically challenging, the SDS: Thailand program allows you to engage with local Thai culture and immerse yourself in a way of life different than your own. It is an adventure that will stay with you forever!
Video and Photos
Program Highlights
- Participate in life changing expedition travel
- Home Stays In Remote Villages
- Highly immersive and integrative experiences
- Learn from local leaders
- Learn Thai Language and Culture
Response from
It's great to know you had an amazing experience during your time studying abroad at ISDSI!
Some students are surprised to find out that Thailand is culturally and religiously diverse, and not just Buddhist. During one course we do stay in villages for a few nights where many of the families are Christian, and some students do find that surprising. But that is part of the history and identity of that ethnic minority group, so we feel it is appropriate to learn from those communities. In the same way, we have extended stays in many Buddhist communities and a Muslim community so students learn from and experience villages and ways of life that reflect the ethnic and religious diversity of Thailand.
A couple of the projects we work with were started by development workers who are Christians, but again, the focus is on the quality of the project and not the religion, except when the focus is on religion. For that we focus on Buddhism, animism and Islam - talking with a Buddhist monk, meeting a Muslim Imam, studying animism and forests, etc.
Similarly, ISDSI employs individuals based on their knowledge of local culture, ecology and expedition skills, and does not discriminate based on personal belief systems. While some staff are Christian, the majority are Buddhist or non-religious.
In terms of doing an internship with ISDSI, we have now changed our policy since there was a lot of confusion this semester. Students will need to write up a formal proposal before they come to Thailand, rather than trying to figure out what they want to do once they arrive, and they will have a chance to set up their own internships and independent studies.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope you always remember all the great things you experienced in the Land of Smiles.