2012 is already off to a busy start for the institute!

With 17 new spring semester students arriving the first week of 2012 and 20 fall semester students continuing in January with internships and research projects, there is plenty to keep staff busy.

New and seasoned host families were excited to welcome their first or newest ISDSI student into their homes.

Spring semester students quickly learned what “experiential education” means here as they had a brief orientation before spending a weekend immersed in Thai language and culture with their new host families. Now in their second week in the country they are engaged in intensive Thai, cross fit and their first course of the semester, Foundations. The Foundations course provides a broad overview of Thai culture, society, and politics while allowing for field trips such as rock climbing, city orientation, markets studies, organic farming introduction, and hiking to the iconic temple on Doi Suthep.

Meanwhile, many  fall semester students still in the country are working in Chiang Mai and around Northern Thailand on a wide array of internships and research projects such as teaching English, working with Buremese refugees, surveying local restaurants, assisting at partner organizations like ECHO and UHDP, and much more.

While students got settled in with their internships and host families, instructors were busy prepping for the upcoming Rivers course. Staff traveled to the Yom River (in Phrae) and the Mekong River (in Issan) to scout the river, locations, and make contacts to make the course run as smoothly as possible.

ISDSI also hosted visitors from Azuza Pacific University (APU) in California when several Global Studies students and their professor visited Northern Thailand. Working with ISDSI staff, they learned about environmental and development issues in and around Chiang Mai as they consider initiating a program in the region.

Last, but not least, Ajaan Abram Bicskler and his wife Becca welcomed Benjamin Justus Bicksler to their family at 12:17pm on January 10th! Benjamin, weighing in at 8.02 pounds and measuring 20.5 inches, joins his older sister Ellie.

Pi Pu and Ajaan Wilasane go over ISDSI policies during the host family orientation.

Silas meets his new host mom and younger brother.

Cristin is greeted by her new host parents.

Jean making her way up a one of the routes at Crazy Horse Buttress.

Danielle enjoying the rappel.

Nicole Ludema, Josh, Lourdes, Danielle, Nicole Beetle, and Jean get ready for the rappel.

Staff go over the macro-invertebrate study to find the best location to conduct the study during the upcoming rivers course.

Benjamin Justus Bicksler, a few days old.

Before starting their final week of Foundations, students had a chance to go on their first academic hike to the iconic temple on Doi Suthep. Students were asked to write a reflection on a question that they formulated during the hike, providing them an opportunity to try out their writing and learning styles in a non-traditional setting. By completing a writing assignment before they embark on their first field course students were able to get feedback and guidance from field instructors.

Following the end of Foundations, students, staff, and host families gathered together for a Northern Thai themed evening filled with great food and student provided entertainment. With everyone decked out in traditional Northern Thai garb, we saw some impressive performances ranging from Thai and American songs to semi-traditional Thai dances to hula hooping and playing the recorder (at the same time!) and much more. The finale performance was a classic Thai song performed by all 31 students which they had a chance to practice with their Thai teachers over the previous week.

The evening also provided students a chance to spend one more memorable evening with their families before they got ready to leave their host families and move into apartments in Chiang Mai.

Transitioning from host families to apartments coincided with the start of the first Expedition Field Course (EFC) of the fall semester, Sustainable Food Systems with Ajaan Abram Bixler. Students received their course materials and first assignment on Friday. This first week of seminar allows students to read, discuss, and gain an understanding of the general topics before heading out to the field for the first time. Students will be split into two groups, with half starting with home stays in Mae Taa and half beginning at the Upland Holistic Development Project in Fang.

Check back soon for updates and photos of the Sustainable Food Systems course!

Students hike up the mountain on their way to Wat Doi Suthep.

Students enjoying a mid-day lunch break during their hike.

Monkia, Pi Tic, Pi Noi, Pi Toto, Janelle, Nicki, and Pi Pui strike some interesting poses before the performances start.

 

Peter hanging out with his nong chao (younger brother).

 

Alice and her host mother enjoying some food and conversation before the performances start.

Janelle and her host sister perform a fun, slightly jazzed-up version of a traditional Thai dance.

Ajaan Siton's Thai class of Casey, Meredith, Hish, Katherine, and Andrew perform a Thai song and skit.

Elaine shows impressive dexterity by hula-hooping and playing the recorder at the same time.

Nicki and Grace perform a traditional Thai dance with their host sisters.

All the students managed to fit (barely) on the stage for their finale group performance.

Ajaan Wilasanee's daughter practices the hand motions of she picked up from watching the traditional Thai dances.

After another busy week of classes and activities, students and staff headed to Mok Fah Waterfall, part of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park for a weekend retreat.

There was plenty of time for students to get to know each other and staff in a laid-back setting, but the weekend also provided ample learning time in a setting outside of the classroom–something students will become accustomed to during their time as students at ISDSI.

We kicked off the weekend with a swim assessment at the Huay Tong Tao Reservoir on the edge of the city. After the swim and a delicious lunch, it was off to Mok Fah. The students were excited to arrive and have a little rest time before delving into activities. With a mixture of  group discussions and hands on activities, students covered everything from leadership and working styles to risk management and decision-making to basic first aid and healthcare in Thailand and out in the field.

After learning or re-learning some basic first-aid, students had the opportunity to “rescue” one of their fellow classmates, who acted as the patient (including some very convincing actors). Don’t worry, no students were harmed in the creation of the scenario!

Throughout the “rescue,” students had the opportunity to learn what it feels like to work with a group in a stressful situation and were impressively composed and communicative. Not only did they have to work with a group in challenging circumstances, but also realized first-hand the challenges and exhausting nature of a wilderness rescue and evacuation.

Instuctors, Pi Pui and Pi Rashauna, wait in the kayaks for the first group of swimmers.

Mark is excited to start his swim assessment.

Monika prepared to conquer the swim assessment.

Pi Am goes over the Mok Fah policies with all of the students before they settle into their cabins.

A veiw of the Mok Fah Waterfall.

Pi Pui leads the students in some morning yoga.

Pi Toto, Pi Am, Pi Tik, and Pi Bo prepare some delicious Thai food for more than 40 people.

The result of the hard work in the kitchen. It tasted as delicious as it looks!

A group of students works on their "patient" during the rescue scenario.

Peter displays his beautiful self-portrait for the final activity of the weekend.

Students write comments about each other for the final, wrap-up activity of the weekend.

ISDSI students have been busy! In addition to continuing intensive Thai classes and settling in with their host families, students officially started their “Foundations” course.  Over the next four weeks, they’ll receive a broad overview of Thai history, religion, and politics. Keeping in line with the experiential education philosophy of ISDSI, an integral part of the Foundations course has been field trips, most recently to the Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Center and to Wat Ou Mong, a unique forest wat (temple) on the edge of Chiang Mai. With a topical background to support them, students were free to explore and engage on their own in each of these locations to see their seminar topics in a different light. There is still time for recreation, though, as students ventured out of the city for a day of rock climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress with our friends at Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures (CMRCA). The day provided everyone with  chance to get acquainted with one another in a different setting,  see some beautiful cliffs, and chance to climb with the professionals of CMRCA. To see more of how the students are getting and staying physically active and fit, check out the Chiang Mai Crossfit page (http://www.cfcnx.com/).

Students play team building games before heading out to climb

More games gets everyone laughing.

Cassie makes her way up to the base of a climbing route.

Brendan works his way up the rock wall.

Group shot before rappelling into the cave: Andrew, Zane, Dan, Nicki, Cassie, Mel, Casey, Rebecca, Janelle, and Hish.

Casey, Zane, Dan, Nicki, Rebecca, Andrew, and Hish hike up to the cave entrance in preparation for the rappel.

Group shot with Crazy Horse Buttress in the background.

After traveling across the world, students had a night or two to recover before delving into orientation and host family life. Students had a brief crash course in Thai cultural skills and basic Thai greetings before meeting the Thai families that they will be a part of for the next five weeks. Anxious and excited smiles and greetings were exchanged as students and families met for the first time and headed home for a weekend of fun, rest, and cultural exchange.

Ajaan Wilasanee teaches students Thai greetings.

Nicki meets her new host mom.

Elaine practices her "wai" and greets the host families.

Hish greets his new host mom and sister.

With a couple of intensive Thai classes under their belts, students were off to orient themselves with Chiang Mai via a city-wide scavenger hunt. Not only did the scavenger hunt give students a chance to practice their Thai skills and learn about the city they will be living in for the next few months, but by going out and practicing on their own, they were engaging in the experiential, student-centered approach central to ISDSI’s educational philosophy (not to mention a few memorable photo opportunities).

Caroline gets a tasty Thai treat from a friendly songtaew passenger.

Abby, Erin, Hannah, and Andrew pose for a group photo at one of the stops.

Elaine, Katherine, Mark, and Roz take a look at Tha Phae Gate from a different angle.

Emily, Peter, Rebecca, and Alice pose with a hospital attendant to prove they found the hospital.

Zane, Alicia, Melanie, and Marguax try re-creating their own version of Abbey Road with a slightly different background.