SUMMER INTERN ABROAD PROGRAM

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (THAILAND)

GLOBAL PRACTICUM

A 4-credit global practicum to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Practicum Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Sustainable Development
  • Study Abroad Destination: Thailand
  • 2026 Dates: June 27-July 24 (4 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

Advance sustainability practica in Thailand
This 4-week, 4-credit Global Practicum places students directly in Thailand’s sustainability sector to co-design and implement meaningful solutions. Participants collaborate with local nonprofits, cooperatives, and government agencies to address sustainability challenges in areas such as energy, food systems, climate adaptation, and urban planning.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary placement with Thai host organizations
  • Field-focused, community-centered sustainability projects
  • Weekly cultural colloquia and professional mentorship
  • Professional digital portfolio development
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Practicum in Sustainable Development is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning four weeks in their host country in Africa or Asia. Students immerse themselves in practical sustainability work, applying their knowledge and skills through group placements with host organizations working on real-world challenges, hand in hand with local peers.

The program follows a structured progression, allowing students to integrate theory with practice. Working alongside local experts, NGOs, and development organizations, students design and implement impactful sustainability solutions aligned with their host country’s commitment to sustainable development.

Students engage in a combination of fieldwork, project design, and implementation, with weekly class colloquia, reflection sessions, and cultural activities to deepen learning and cross-cultural engagement.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this practicum, students will:
  • Design and implement sustainability initiatives with real-world impact
  • Collaborate effectively with Thai professionals in cross-cultural contexts
  • Reflect critically on ethical and systemic dimensions of sustainability
  • Communicate and present project outcomes professionally
  • Showcase their learning journey through a curated digital portfolio
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: 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

Real-world focus in Thai communities
Participants work alongside Thai organizations - such as cooperatives or sustainability NGOs - on interventions tailored to local environmental and social needs. Fieldwork centers on themes like urban resilience, sustainable agriculture, and energy.

Structured reflection & cultural learning
Weekly colloquia offer reflection on both cultural insights and technical progress. Sessions are supported by local mentors and cultural facilitators to deepen intercultural competence .
Daily integration with Thai life
Students engage with daily Thai practices - such as exploring markets, tasting som tam and pad thai, and attending local workshops - immersing themselves in cultural routines that enrich their learning.

Optional cultural trips
On weekends, students may visit Buddhist temples, eco‑projects, agritourism farms, or national parks. These curated outings complement technical studies with cultural depth and environmental context .
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4 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 (4 weeks): June 27-July 24

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,950 (4 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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