Global Change, Community & Families in Thailand —

  1. Program Details

    Explore issues of social justice, globalization, and the human ecological impact in the unique setting of northern Thailand’s natural environment.

    This program is administered by College of Education & Human Development. Applications are processed by the Learning Abroad Center.

    Location Chiang Mai & Chiang Khong, Thailand
    Term Winter Break, Winter Break (Spring Semester)
    Housing Hotel
    Credit Type Resident Credit
    Sponsor College of Education and Human Development

    Program Eligibility

    GPA 2.5 or program leader permission
    Student Type UofM Students, Non UofM Students
    Student Year Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Graduate Students
    Language No Language Prerequisite

  2. About Global Change, Community & Families in Thailand

    This interdisciplinary course uses social justice and human ecological lenses to examine global change that is occurring at the intersections among Thailand’s natural environment, communities, families, and culture. Topics include globalization, human trafficking, education, religion, environmental issues, and cultural integration/identity formation, particularly among indigenous populations in northern Thailand. Students interact with key community leaders, village leaders, elders, and students who serve as teachers; this leads to critical understanding of Thai culture and the contemporary issues faced by Thailand’s families and communities. Through journaling, digital stories, blogging, and discussions, students will synthesize, integrate, apply, and communicate what they’ve learned.

    Housing & Meals

    Students will stay in local hotels throughout the stay in Thailand. Some meals are provided.

    Application Deadline

    December 1, 2019

    Program Dates

    Pre-Departure Orientation: Friday, December 6th from 3-6PM.

    Travel Dates: January 4 - 18, 2020

    Spring Semester on-campus class dates: Friday, January 31st from 3-6PM and Friday, February 7th from 3-6PM.

    Academics

    FSoS 4158

    This interdisciplinary course uses a human ecological lens and a sustainability studies framework to examine global change that is occurring at the intersection of the natural environment in Thailand; particularly rivers and water, community, families, and culture. 

    This is an embedded course with on-campus class time during Spring term.  Part of the course will for pre departure orientation on Friday, December 6th from 3-6PM. Upon arrival the class will have two additional meetings in the spring semester, Friday, January 31st from 3-6PM and Friday, February 7th from 3-6PM.  

    This course is designed to meet the Liberal Education Global Perspectives theme at the University of Minnesota. This theme focuses on “assuring U of M graduates have at least one significant academic exposure to the world beyond the U.S. borders and the opportunity to consider the implications of this knowledge for the international community and their own lives”.
    Moreover, this course will meet two Student Learning Outcomes. Students will: understand diverse philosophies and cultures within and across societies; and 2) can communicate effectively.

    Program Leader

    Dr. Solheim has a doctorate in family science and conducts research and teaches on family economic well-being and the influence of culture on various aspects of family life. She has lived and worked in Thailand and has over 30 years of experience in Thailand.

    Excursions

    Chiang Mai

    Cooking school, Buddhist temple and monk chat, Human Trafficking organization, Orphanage)

    Chiang Khong

    Observations in Hill Tribes villages and interactions with village elders and families, community engagement with HADF in local Hill Tribe village and with the Love Chiang Khong group

    Program Fee

    The program fee for Winter Break 2020 is $4,950 and includes registration fees, orientation, international health insurance, airfare, housing, excursions, and most meals. Students will need to budget for their passport and visa fees, meals that are not included, and personal spending money.

    See the Winter Break 2020 Cost of Participation

    If you are registered for less than 13-credits or if you are a non-UofM student or a UofM graduate student, you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.  Notify the Learning Abroad Center if this applies to you.  

    More Information

    For more information, contact Marina Aleixo

  3. Prepare

    Be aware: All programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.
    Center Name TC Learning Abroad Ctr
    Education Abroad Term Winter Break 2020 (Spring on campus course)
    Program Name Global Change, Community, and Families in Thailand
    Track Name Global Change, Community, and Families in Thailand
    Country Thailand

    Note: If the specific track and term of the affiliated program you wish to apply to cannot be found within the application system, select “Program Not Found” on the application, and enter your specific application information in the fields given to request an application. Our staff will review your application and update your program, track, and term information.

    Submit

    University of Minnesota Student—apply

    Use your University of Minnesota internet ID and password to log into the Education Abroad application system. Your student account will be charged a $50 application fee.

    When you submit your online application, you will be assigned an application checklist that includes:

    • First Step session
    • University of Minnesota Student Release and Waiver Form

    Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist.

    Non-University of Minnesota Student—apply

    Once you submit your application, Learning Abroad Center staff will create a University of Minnesota student internet account for you. You will use this account to access the Education Abroad Application System, and other University of Minnesota services. You will be charged a $50 application fee for this program.

    Our staff will contact you within 2–3 business days with your internet account information, and additional application instructions.

    Once you submit your application, Learning Abroad Center staff will create a University of Minnesota student internet account for you. You will use this account to access the Education Abroad Application System, and other University of Minnesota services. You will be charged a $50 application fee for this program. Our staff will contact you within 2–3 business days with your internet account information, and additional application instructions.

    Next Steps

    1. You will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
    2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit the Student Release and Waiver Form.
    3. Your application is not considered complete until the form has been received and you have completed the First Step module. Your completed application will be forwarded to the program leader in the sponsoring college/department for review.
    4. The program leader will notify the Learning Abroad Center of acceptance decisions. If accepted, you will be notified via email and assigned a confirmation checklist, which includes:
      • Health Information Form
      • Confirmation and Payment Agreement
      • Online Health & Safety Orientation
    5. Login to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
    6. Once you submit all items, your participation will be confirmed and your student account will be billed for the program deposit.
    7. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the online application and submit a Cancel Request. You must also notify your program leader of your cancellation.