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University of Minnesota: Thailand: Studies in International Development (Education Abroad Programs Program)

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  • Locations: Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • Program Terms: Fall Semester, Spring Semester
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: UM Learning Abroad Center 
  • This program is currently not accepting applications.
Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Fall Semester 2023 01-APR-2023
** 		Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.

Indicates that deadline has passed
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Class Status: 3rd year, 4th year Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Click here for a definition of this term Language Requirement: none Click here for a definition of this term Open to Non-UVa Students: No
Housing: Homestay Language Courses Offered: Yes
Language of Instruction: English Click here for a definition of this term Credit Type: Transfer Credit
Click here for a definition of this term Program Type: Field Study/ Experiential, Internship, Study center Click here for a definition of this term Tuition Payments Made To: Program Provider
Click here for a definition of this term Education Abroad Advisor: Hayley Spear Click here for a definition of this term Application Fee: Yes
Click here for a definition of this term Study Abroad Administrative Fee: Yes Click here for a definition of this term Subject Area: Environmental Sciences, Global Studies, Internship, Public Health
Program Description:
 
 
 

MSID—International Development in Thailand

Study international development in Thailand, the only southeast Asian country not colonized by European powers and a hub for manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. You’ll also contribute through an internship or research project with a nonprofit organization while you are there. Explore the complexities created by issues such as environment, globalization, public health, and social justice.

Academics

  • Program type:
    Combine classes at an MSID study center with an extended internship or research project
  • Level:
    3,000–4,000 level courses
  • Term:
    Fall semester, spring semester
  • Prerequisites:
    2.5 GPA; juniors and seniors
  • Courseload:
    You are required to take 16 credits for fall or spring semester. Add 4 credits for optional language pre-session.

Faculty

Mark A. Ritchie, Ph.D., Executive Director
Mark has lived in Thailand for more than 20 years, working with local communities, international development work, as well as international education. Originally from the United States, Mark studied the transition of agrarian rural communities in Northern Thailand, and has been involved in project evaluation and assessment, participatory development research, and training of local communities in Asia. He founded ISDSI with his wife, Dana E.C. Ritchie, 15 years ago, and is currently working on empowering local communities through international education.

How to Apply

Click the button below to visit this program's web page for more information about the application process for this program.

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About This Program

Learning from experience is the core of Minnesota Studies in International Development (MSID). The program puts you in direct contact with the social and economic realities of actual communities and of people working within them to address complex problems. Through classes, field trips, and an extended internship or research placement, MSID strives to establish a continual dialogue linking experience with theory and critical analysis. Learn more about the MSID mission and educational philosophy.

Homestays are an integral component of the learning experience, and often a highlight for participants. Your family provides not only housing and most meals, but is also an important connection to Thai culture. Most students live with two host families—one during the classroom phase and a second one during the internship/research phase.

Delve into hands-on learning in Thailand. Spend seven weeks engaged in coursework in Chiang Mai, followed by six weeks working as an intern or conducting a research project. The internship and research experience is the cornerstone of the MSID program, and may be where you will learn the most. Your placement will be with an agency engaged in grassroots work related your selected track, and will immerse you in the social realities of the poorer strata of the population.

About the Learning Abroad Center

The Learning Abroad Center in the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance is the University of Minnesota's comprehensive resource for study, service-learning, work, intern, volunteer, and travel experiences worldwide.

The Learning Abroad Center is a leader in providing innovative international learning experiences that expand and redefine the world for a diverse population of students, colleagues, and staff. The Learning Abroad Center staff and University of Minnesota faculty and staff participate in numerous leadership opportunities and serve on the advisory boards of organizations who provide and/or support education abroad programs. Through collaboration and individual attention, the Learning Abroad Center continues to promote empowerment, development, understanding, and responsibility in the global community.

A variety of program options--300 programs in over 80 countries--have been developed to address the diverse needs of students. Programs vary in length, level, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and degree of independence demanded of the participant.

UMabroad.umn.edu
612.626.9000
UMabroad@umn.edu



Please Note: Regions within Thailand are considered by the U.S. Department of State to be "High Risk", and/or have an advisory of "Reconsider Travel" or "Do Not Travel". Consult http://iso.virginia.edu/travel-alerts-notices-warnings and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html to see if, based on your travel for university related purposes, you must submit a petition as part of your Education Abroad application per the UVA Policy on Student International Travel.




This program is currently not accepting applications.