SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (THAILAND)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Sustainable Development
  • Study Abroad Destination: Thailand
  • 2026 Dates: June 1-July 24 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Explore sustainability in Thailand's transformative context
This 8-week, 8-credit Microcertificate blends interdisciplinary coursework with immersive field engagement in Thailand. Suitable for students from all academic backgrounds, the program combines two field-based courses and a digital cohort capstone. Anchored in Thailand - a leading example in sustainable development - the curriculum offers both thematic learning and hands-on application in real-world settings.

Students engage with critical topics ranging from human well‑being and sustainable economies to climate adaptation, nutrition, and urban planning. Field experiences and community partnerships allow them to apply theory across agricultural, environmental, and urban contexts.
Program Highlights
  • Two-credit-bearing courses combining academic theory with hands-on field learning
  • Community-driven sustainability projects with Thai host organizations
  • Weekly cultural colloquia and mentorship sessions
  • Digital portfolio development to showcase academic and field-based learning
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Sustainable Development track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit program spanning eight weeks over a summer. Students undergo a transformative learning journey, engaging with critical global issues through an interdisciplinary approach. The program structure includes two main courses, both in Thailand, and a capstone project, 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 program's end, students will:
  • Gain sophisticated understanding of sustainability challenges using interdisciplinary frameworks
  • Apply practical skills in community-driven sustainability initiatives
  • Collaborate effectively across cultures and sectors
  • Reflect critically on ethical leadership and systems-based problem solving
  • Present a professional digital portfolio that highlights academic and field accomplishments
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

Thematic field engagement
Students explore Thailand’s sustainability landscape through site visits, case studies, and applied group projects. Topics may include energy access, food systems, waste management, and climate resilience in both urban and rural contexts.

Hands-on practicum with local partners
During the second half of the program, students join Thai NGOs, cooperatives, or government partners to co-design and implement a small-scale sustainability intervention. These placements are guided by mutual learning and community priorities.
Weekly cultural & reflective colloquia
Each week, students gather for structured reflections and cultural exchange, linking their project experiences to broader themes such as leadership, equity, and ethical sustainability. Guest speakers and Thai facilitators enrich the dialogue.

Immersive life in Thailand
Daily experiences include navigating vibrant markets, sampling street food like som tam and pad thai, and engaging with local traditions. Optional excursions may include visits to temples, nature reserves, or social innovation hubs in places like Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 8 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 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (8 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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