SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (THAILAND)


A 4-credit Global Field Engagement Program in Thailand

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Field Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Sustainable Development
  • Study Abroad Destination: Thailand
  • 2026 Dates: June 6-26 (3 weeks)
  • Credit: 4 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Explore sustainable futures in Thailand
This 3‑week, 4‑credit Global Field Engagement course immerses students in Thailand’s dynamic sustainability landscape. Through six interdisciplinary modules - covering human well‑being, sustainable economies, food systems, energy, urban planning, and environmental commons - participants combine intensive coursework with field immersion. Based in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, the program fosters practical application and global perspective.

Participants engage in field visits, stakeholder interviews, and collaborative projects with Thai partners, gaining firsthand insight into environmental innovation, community resilience, and systemic change.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary field-based learning through six thematic modules
  • Collaboration with Thai organizations working in food security, sustainable energy, and urban resilience
  • Community-centered project work and reflection
  • Professional digital portfolio development
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Field Engagement Course in Sustainable Development is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning three weeks plus pre-program eLearning. Students undergo a transformative learning journey, engaging with critical global issues through an interdisciplinary approach. The program is delivered in a sequence that builds from theoretical understanding to practical, hands-on experience. This progression ensures that students not only learn about global issues but also apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, participants will:
  • Understand sustainability challenges through an interdisciplinary lens
  • Apply theoretical concepts to practical, community-based projects
  • Collaborate across sectors and cultures with Thai peers and hosts
  • Develop a digital portfolio demonstrating learning, impact, and professional growth
Further Details
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PROGRAM LOCATION: THAILAND

The Land of Smiles is a dynamic blend of tradition and modernity. As one of Southeast Asia’s most influential economies, Thailand has experienced rapid urbanization and technological advancement while remaining deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. The country’s bustling cities and thriving industries contrast with its rural heartlands, where Buddhist traditions and community life still shape daily experiences. Yet, balancing economic growth with social and environmental sustainability remains a key challenge for the nation’s future.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Thematic field immersion
Students dive into Thailand’s sustainability scene through site visits and engagements with local partners such as organic farms, community-based tourism projects, energy cooperatives, or urban resilience initiatives. Fieldwork aligns with six key course themes.

Hands-on community projects
Working in small teams, participants co-develop short-term solutions to local sustainability challenges - such as enhancing food security systems, improving waste management, or supporting inclusive economic initiatives.
Immersive daily life in Thailand
Daily life includes exploring lively street markets, tasting dishes like pad kra pao or mango sticky rice, and learning basic Thai cultural etiquette. Local facilitators help students connect with community life and enhance cross-cultural fluency.

Optional weekend exploration
Students may choose to visit temples in Chiang Mai, hike through national parks, join local crafts workshops, or explore Bangkok’s floating markets - adding context and cultural depth to their academic experience.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 3 weeks in Thailand. For this time, GEI Thailand offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:

  • Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
  • Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities


Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Summer 2026 (3 weeks): June 6-26

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,650 (3 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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