Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away

Going into college, I knew I wanted to study abroad at some point. That is one of the main reasons I chose Lake Forest, because they make studying abroad such an available opportunity. After looking at the long list of abroad options, I chose Thailand because the program fit my major well and I wanted to experience a culture so unlike my own. With the three months of experience I’ve had so far, it has completely exceeded my expectations. ISDSI has been amazingly accommodating and caring. I think their number one virtue is how important it is to them that we are immersed into the culture and explore Chiang Mai.

Within my first few weeks studying there I had checked off nearly all the activities I wanted to do in Thailand and was given more experiences than I knew were available. Learning Thai was one of the things I was most nervous about coming into the country, but the Thai teachers had us speaking many of the basic Thai words and sentences by the end of the first month so that we felt confident in the essential and friendly interactions we had with Thais. Going into my fourth month I can speak, listen to, and even read more of the language than I thought I ever would be able to. In the MSID program we learned about the historical and political context of Thailand, then split up into our own tracks. Mine was entrepreneurship and sustainable food systems which had us mainly focusing on agriculture and local business ownership in Chiang Mai. After this term we set out for our internships. Mine, which I am currently at, is a peaceful agroforestry focused farm in the Fang district of Chiang Mai.

The program is an intense one, we are constantly doing both experiential and in class studying but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I could do this program again I would take that opportunity in an instant. I recommend this program to anyone who is ready for adventure, challenge, and lots of cultural immersion. It has been an amazing way to spend a semester.

However, my abroad opportunity would not have been possible if I hadn’t received a scholarship from Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund for International Study Abroad Programs. For that I thank them as this has truly been a life changing experience.

Day at Patara Elephant farm learning about elephant restoration:

Harvesting tea leaves as part of my Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Food Systems track: