Are you hoping to work in some capacity that will benefit society and the environment? Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps or another community-based volunteer program upon graduation? Then this program is for you.
The CIEE Study Center in Khon Kaen helps you to understand the complexities concerning development and globalization issues, and the role you play as global citizens. You'll learn about development and globalization from both an academic and a grassroots community level and its overall effects on a developing nation.
What You'll Learn
The goals of this program are to help students understand the complexities concerning environmental, development, and globalization issues and the role they can play as global citizens. By listening and learning, students get to know the human dimension of policies pursued by corporations and financial institutions. Students are also challenged to find ways of working as a group with other CIEE and Thai students. Students are given a broad range of tools such as research and interview methods, setting research objectives and plans, and creating a publication.
Program Snapshot- Learn about a broad range of issues--effects of dams and mining, urban slums, people living with HIV/AIDS, organic farming, human rights, social movements, and NGOs--from a grassroots perspective in a developing country
- Opportunities for cultural integration through community stays and translated exchanges throughout the Northeast as well as Thai student roommates and peer tutors
- Learn to better understand your role in the world
- Authentic exchange with villagers, NGOs, and others working for social change through site visits and hands-on field work
SubjectsDevelopment & Planning
Environmental Studies
Peace & Justice Studies
Sociology
Thai Language
EligibilityAcademic Program
Based at Khon Kaen University since 1991, the program's focus on development was established in 1994. There is a great deal of emphasis on group process and forming an effective and responsible community. The program is committed to the dialogue and the importance of participation of all parties in the educational process. A good deal of time is given for students to organize amongst themselves and to enjoy the full potential of an educational process that challenges them not just academically, but also as human beings.
Academic Culture
All courses contain extensive experiential components. The required core course combines classroom-based academics with extensive practical field experience. Students should be aware that the program is an alternative educational model in itself. Faculty from the University prepares students in the classroom, while practitioners from local NGOs provide guidance during the visits to various development projects. The program places the educational process squarely in the hands of the students as a group. Students gain skills facilitating participation and group dynamics, generating proposals, and organizing special projects.
The program's language instruction utilizes a proficiency-based approach designed to enable students to function effectively in everyday communicative situations. Courses at all levels combine intensive classroom learning with the use of peer tutors and interactive exercises. Language classes are offered at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Where You'll Study - Khon Kaen University
Khon Kaen University (KKU), the major educational institution in the Northeast, is located four kilometers north of the city on 2,500 acres of partially wooded land. Founded in 1964, KKU has 17 faculties which offer bachelor's, master's, and professional degrees in fields such as health and medicine, social sciences, humanities, education, agriculture, business, engineering, and the physical sciences. Approximately 20,000 students study at KKU. There are approximately 1,500 full-time faculty members and 4,000 part-time faculty and staff.
Program Requirements
Students are required to take The Human Perspective on Development and the Environment, Directed Research Field Study/Practicum, Social Research Methods, and one Thai language course at their level.
Credit
Total recommended credit for the semester is 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours.
The required language courses have 45 contact hours and recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours per course. The language courses meet intensively for the first six weeks of the program.
The contact hours for The Human Perspective on Development and the Environment is 115 and recommended credit is 6 semester/9 quarter hours.
The Directed Research/Field Study Practicum has 96 contact hours and recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.
Social Research Methods has 45 contact hours and recommended credit of 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours
Application Deadlines
Spring 2009: 10/15/2008
Fall 2009: 3/15/2009
Duration
Spring 2009: 17 weeks: mid-January - mid-May
Fall 2009: 17 weeks: mid-August - mid-December
The CIEE fees for 2008?09 include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time program leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, transportation from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.
Orientation
Students initially meet in Bangkok and then travel to an orientation site for a few days where they learn about the overall structure of the program and begin Thai language study. Students are then placed in two community stays, each lasting five days, with a weekend free at Khon Kaen University. During their orientation community stays, they continue to study Thai and engage in various group activities. At the end of the 17-day orientation, they begin the first unit of the core course. The orientation introduces students to the country, the culture, and the academic program, and provides practical information about living in Khon Kaen. Orientation is maintained on an individual and group basis throughout the program.
Housing and Meals
Housing is included in the program fee. While not on community visits and staying with host families, students live in off-campus rental units with a Thai roommate. Meals are not included in the program fee and are the responsibility of the student. Students can take meals at the University cafeteria or local restaurants.
Internet
Students have access to e-mail at inexpensive local Internet cafés.
Cultural Activities and Field Trips
The program seeks to bring students into authentic exchange with villagers, NGOs, and others working for social change at the grassroots level. Students can expect to spend much of their time traveling and staying in communities. Students also have a chance to meet and interact with members of the U.S. student-based group ENGAGE (Educational Network for Global and Grassroots Exchange). Past activities have included interviews with women from a women's weaving cooperative, conducting oral history research in a traditional fishing village, and various site visits that examine methods and outcomes of sustainable agriculture and development in a local community.
Peer Tutors
Program participants are paired with Khon Kaen University students for weekly one-on-one Thai language tutorials.
