International Sustainable Development Studies Institute

My semester abroad in Thailand through ISDSI was one of the most special and formative experiences I have had. I was pushed both mentally and physically through the unique coursework, which expanded outside of the classroom. Whether backpacking across rainforests and mountains or snorkeling above coral reefs off of the coast, I was able to learn so much more than through a classroom setting. I truly believe this program offers one of the most unique and authentic study abroad experiences out there. With an emphasis on learning the local language and culture, combined with the multitude of homestays included in the program, I was able to experience so much more of Thailand than I would have from traveling on my own. On top of that, the locals were some of the most kind and welcoming people, being gracious enough to let us stay in their homes and feed us some of the best Thai food. There were so many amazing highlights from the program, from the beautiful views while hiking through the mountains, learning how to grow coffee and cacao, camping on remote beaches, being able to order food in Thai for the first time, and my personal favorite, hanging out with the elephants. I highly recommend this program, as it encapsulates what a study abroad experience should be, with an emphasis on experiential learning and local guidance, while pushing you out of your comfort zone. If you enjoy a little bit of a challenge, are a hands-on learner, and want a rich learning experience, then this program is for you! I am beyond grateful to have been able to experience Thailand through ISDSI.

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I studied abroad with ISDSI through the CEC program in the fall of 2024, and I returned to the U.S. with a new community, stronger research skills, and unreal experiences I will never forget. Regarding community, the people I met in my and other “sibling” programs, the fantastic staff at ISDSI who guided us through the semester, and everyone in between were the ones who made my time in Thailand special. I have many wonderful memories with CEC, and some of my favorites include visiting Karen villages, staying in homestays, exploring Chiang Mai restaurants, and snorkeling in the Andaman Sea. Academically, we learned how to conduct mini-research projects which helped me ask better questions in interviews and prepare for my future senior thesis. I would recommend ISDSI to other students because it is an immersive, hands-on, and challenging program in all the right ways. And, my biggest takeaway is I learned how truly supportive, inspiring, and uplifting a community can be, even when they were strangers only a few months ago. So, to CEC, ISDSI, and everyone involved in our program and beyond: Thank you for a truly life-changing experience.

My experience with ISDSI was truly special. I had the opportunity to learn from so many amazing people who were extremely generous in sharing their lives and wealth of traditional knowledge with us. Each field expedition gave me the chance to push myself in an outdoor setting, with a strong emphasis on learning by doing. We explored farming communities, mountain ranges, mangroves, beaches, and the ocean, providing experiences that taught me about the ecology of the environment I was in and the people who protect and depend on it. The opportunity to take Thai language class was definitely a highlight of the semester, as it helped to form bonds with our host families, make new friends, and feel more at home in Thailand. While still being very educational, this program is undoubtedly fun. Every day felt like a new adventure, as there were endless activities to satisfy many different interests. We bathed elephants, learned to make natural tie dye, meditated with monks, made our own chocolate bars, and hiked to one of the highest points in Thailand, just to name a few. ISDSI also operates on the block plan, so CC students who thrive in an adventurous, experiential learning environment should definitely choose this program! Similar to CC, ISDSI’s small size creates a very strong sense of community among peers, faculty, and professors. I am so grateful to ISDSI for providing the opportunity to learn while traveling throughout Thailand, and would tell anyone considering this program to apply immediately!

I participated in the CEC program in the fall of 2024, and it was an experience I could never have imagined. Going into it, I had little experience with traveling or fieldwork, so I didn’t know what to expect from the country or the academics. Both turned out to be incredible in ways I’ll never forget. As an environmental science major, I learned so much through experiential learning about agriculture, forest ecosystems, and ocean ecology. Beyond that, I was immersed in Thai culture and had the chance to connect with some of the kindest families and individuals I’ve ever met. This way of learning shifted my perspective and made me realize how much more there is in understanding the world than what you get in a classroom. I came back with a deeper sense of how the environment shapes people’s lives and how people, in turn, shape the environment, whether spiritually, politically, or through sustainable practices. One of the highlights of the program was backpacking through Northern Thailand and staying with host families in different villages. Nature felt intertwined with daily life in a way I’d never experienced before, and the families we stayed with welcomed us with such warmth and generosity. Even with a language barrier, we shared meals and connections I'll always remember. Their relationship with the environment was also amazing and they had knowledge of nearly every plant, animal, and resource around them, and an understanding of the importance of protecting the land they depend on. Another highlight was sea kayaking across an ocean channel to reach our next campsite. The group of students I was with on this program were my favorite people, being so funny and supportive, they made this challenge a very memorable one. Whether we were admiring the beauty of the ocean or pushing through rough waters, we had each other’s backs and were always laughing. The field instructors also made a huge impact on the program. Their expertise and guidance brought so much depth to everything we experienced. I would recommend this program to anyone and everyone. You don’t need to study the environment or have a ton of outdoor experience to take something meaningful away from it. This program shifts your perspective in ways that are hard to describe, but it opens your eyes to the beauty and complexity of the world. I hope everyone has an opportunity to experience something like this at least once in their lives.

My semester in Thailand with ISDSI was absolutely incredible. I got to explore regions throughout the country and learn directly from local communities, including numerous indigenous communities, about their traditional practices and modern struggles. I learned a lot about people, culture, development, conservation, and the environment and on top of all of this got to backpack, sea kayak, and snorkel! I had a truly amazing time and would definitely recommend ISDSI for anyone who wants a rigorous study abroad where you get to learn from local people and environments.

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I attended the program in Spring 2024 and have lots of good things to say about my experience. Above all, the most valuable aspect of my time with ISDSI was getting to connect with Thai culture across several beautiful, rich regions of the country. I loved learning the Thai language and using it to make conversation with Thai people, who were always nothing short of graceful, sweet and welcoming. I also got to experience mountains, islands, big city life, and rural village life all in one semester. The scenery in Thailand is amazing and the people you encounter will enhance your experience to the max. In the field expedition courses (months 2, 3, and 4), you can expect to really bond with your fellow students & field instructors as well. This made my time in Thailand very valuable. I would say that before committing to ISDSI, you should get a good understanding of the program logistics and what sorts of environments you will be put in. Most notably, I think you’ll succeed at ISDSI if you are willing to 1) embrace living in a totally new environment (including rural homestays), 2) put effort into learning & using the local language, and 3) spend time doing physical activities outdoors. If this sounds like you, I believe you’ll make the most of your time in Thailand. It’s a magical country with so much to offer, and I hope some of you get to experience it. And by the way, I studied CS— I would say any major can succeed in the culture & ecology-focused courses at ISDSI if you bring enthusiasm & curiosity.

My time at ISDSI was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. Throughout my time in Thailand, I was given ample support and knowledge to be independent and respectful in a foreign country. As a college student and young adult, the encouragement we were given to be independent and experience all that the culture had to offer allowed me to not only grow as a student, but as a person as well. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone, which allowed me to make new friends, go new places, and try new things. I was able to experientially learn new skills and be immersed in a culture foreign to my own and now very special to me. It was truly one of the best experiences I have ever had.

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I never know where to start when describing my experience with ISDSI, other than that it was incredible. There are plenty of accounts already about the amazing and life-changing way ISDSI approaches education, so I won't try to repeat what has already been said. Instead, I'm going to list a few things that I think make ISDSI unique: 1. Learning directly from farmers who are experiencing the challenges of sustainable development everyday gives a whole new perspective on the issue. ISDSI has an incredible relationship with all of the communities they work with. This is one thing I think really distinguishes the program. 2. ISDSI classes are challenging in a way I've never experienced before. Experiential learning sometimes feels more like play than work (I mean, you get to backpack through Thailand!), but you learn so much and it is constantly forcing you outside your comfort zone. 3. The students that were in the program with me were from all majors - environmental studies, biology, economics, and sociology just to name a few - and it was amazing how this diversity allowed us to look at sustainable development through different lenses. 4. The ISDSI faculty and staff are almost entirely Thai natives - they really put sustainability into practice. 5. Yes, you will learn to have full (if simple) conversations in Thai. I didn't think it would be possible to learn how to converse in an entirely new language in 4 months, but halfway through our group led an entire interview in Thai without a translator. I also had a full conversation with one of my host dads about Karen culture. 6. I'm still in touch with my Chiang Mai host family. Kee-tung! 7. The "this could be your classroom" promos are not exaggerating. I kept thinking those words to myself all semester. If you like the outdoors and adventure and are looking for an immersion program that will challenge you - this is the best you can get.

The four months I spent in Thailand were the best four months of my college experience. I was not sure when I would ever have the chance to go over to Southeast Asia so I was extremely excited about this program. We traveled all around Thailand learning about sustainable development from local people. We studied forests, agriculture, oceans and the city of Chiang Mai. The best part of this program was how integrated you are with the Thai culture. You live with a host family which is nerve-wracking because of the language barrier, but at the end of the semester, everyone in the program was competent in the Thai language. But this only happened by our integration into the community. Thai culture is beautiful and lively and not to mention the food is incredible. I was not ready to leave Thailand at the end of the semester. I still talk to my host family and it has been over a year since I was last in Thailand. This program is unlike any other programs because of the experiential learning. I highly recommend this program to everyone, no matter your major!

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ISDSI was the most incredible experience, and really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. The semester was like nothing I have experienced before, and I value it above most things in college for the eye-opening opportunities it provided me. The home stays were incredible, the food is amazing, and the connections I made there will continue throughout the rest of my life. It's an intense semester, so be prepared to have your brain 'turned on' for four months straight without much of a break. Sometimes that can be overwhelming, and the only thing ISDSI could have done better would be to have better mental health support/communication, or support in general for students who might be struggling, for whatever reasons. Overall, though, I LOVED and miss my semester with ISDSI very much.

My time at ISDSI as a student was one of the most memorable and formative experiences in my undergraduate studies. The program taught me how to look at the world and examine its issues not just critically, but through multiple lenses as well. By immersion into a new language and culture, I learned how local people approached their issues in a way different from my own home culture. This kind of experience prepared me not only for a wonderful and powerful experience in Peace Corps in another part of the world but also helped me to become a better global citizen in general. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to push their comfort zone and explore the world in a deeper way.

This was an amazing experience that I will never forget and encourage everyone considering to apply for. The language and culture immersion was amazing, the host families and field instructors were awesome, and the locations and courses were better than I could have hoped for. Overall this was an amazing program and I am really happy I didn't choose any other program. I think every college student should have an immersive learning experience like the one that ISDSI offers. Initially I was concerned that my Thai language skills would feel useless. But that is what allowed me to learn the most from local instructors and from my host families, and even though I don't use it now I think it's what contributed most to my education with ISDSI. Be aware that a lot of the villages and home stays will be with Christian Thais, not Buddhist or animist ones like you may expect. Many of the organizations ISDSI works with and the majority of the staff are Christian as well. This is not mentioned on the website but it's good to know before you go. The internship experience was not great but the program was excellent.

ISDSI's strong focus on language competency and cross-cultural understanding provided a foundation for effective learning and rewarding, memorable experiences. The relationships with local people I made as a student 4 years ago continue to remain central to my most memorable moments on study abroad.

ISDSI has an amazing program for students interested in development, social issues, environmental issues, biology, anthropology/sociology, outdoor ed/recreation, sustainable agriculture, and more! Each course looks at a different environmental and social issue in Thailand, giving you hands on experience. This is not a study abroad program where you just take classes at another university. You take "classes" from nationals in a remote village, or from a government official in a National Park or district office, or from a NGO worker at their project. Regardless of your background/major, ISDSI prepares you to excel not only in field courses, but also in Thai culture. While unconventional teaching methods can be difficult to adjust to, what you learn is much more valuable and is (in my opinion) much more than if you were to just take classes at a university.

Studying with ISDSI was the highlight of my college academics. The broad scope of the program allowed me to further my understanding of environmental science, making it more concrete, and it also stretched me as I had to match my science background with cultural studies. ISDSI covers a lot of aspects of sustainable development, but the instructors are intentional about allowing the students to explore concepts individually and work as a foundational framework and guide for this exploration. All of this, combined with travel, remote homestays, language instruction, and outdoor adventure made for an unforgettable experience.