Tradition Meets Modernization
2007 Exploration Seminar in Northern Thailand

**THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS**

Program Director:  Darryl Johnson, International Studies
Dates of Instruction:  August 21-September 18, 200

Exotic yet familiar, challenging yet satisfying, Northern Thailand offers you the opportunity to see and feel the cultural cross-currents that have influenced this region over the past several centuries.  Shifting borders and the migration of peoples have brought strong influences from Burma, China, Cambodia and Laos, in addition to Central Thailand, all of which contribute to the unique culture of this region.  Today’s global economic influences and the growth of tourism bring mixed effects, most of which benefit the people of this area, but some of which are destructive of traditional ties of family and culture.

The booming city of Chiang Mai stands at the center of this region, and shows both the opportunities for improved well-being, and the dark side of modernization.  From the many temples to the teeming markets, from the refugee camps and hill tribe settlements to the luxury hotels and modern factories, Northern Thailand has it all.  And the people of this region are its greatest asset – The Land of Smiles lives up to its reputation.

This four-week program will introduce participants to the past and present of Northern
Thai culture in three aspects: religion and society, non-Thai refugees and hill tribes, and the effects of global economic change. 

The program will be based at Chiang Mai University, which will be in session during this period.  Participants will meet with University officials, with US Government officials and with business, professional and non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders throughout the region.  We will begin with a three-day orientation in Bangkok, including visits to major temples, a ride on the Chao Phrya River, a visit to an HIV/AIDS clinic and exploration of the markets.  In Chiang Mai, we will start by studying the history and culture of the region, including visits to temples and museums featuring traditional arts and crafts.  Later we will visit one or more of the Royal Projects, providing crop substitution opportunities to traditional opium growing hill tribe peoples.  We will also visit one or more refugee camps on the border with Burma to see how UN and US- supported NGOs manage this large and growing problem.  And we will visit the Elephant Conservation Center to see how these great creatures are trained.  We will also travel to Chiang Rai to visit the Opium Museum, to visit modern commercial farms, to ride on the Mekong River and to visit a market area that depends totally on trade with China.  On the final day, we will depart Chiang Mai by train, traveling through many miles of lush rice fields, and through the tunnel – completed in 1926 -- that first linked the Chiang Mai basin with the Central Plains and integrated this region with the rest of the Kingdom.

Your guide and program director will be the former US Ambassador to Thailand, Darryl N. Johnson, who will be assisted by his wife, Kathleen F. Johnson, who is an expert on the textiles of Northern Thailand and Burma. Participants will earn 5 credits of CHID 474 Asia Study Abroad.  Participants should check with their advisors to determine how these credits can count towards departmental requirements.

Student costs:  
$2,950 Program Fee
$200 IPE Fee
Additional costs include: round-trip air fare to Bangkok, most meals, immunizations and personal spending money. 

Back to 2007 Exploration Seminar List of Programs