ISDSI - Thailand

Vision

Spend a semester in Chiang Mai, Thailand with the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI) and experience study abroad that goes far beyond the classroom. ISDSI invites American students to learn alongside local communities while exploring some of today’s most pressing global issues—ecology, culture, and sustainability.

Through community-based education and hands-on, experiential learning, students engage directly with real-world challenges and local partners. You won’t just study development and sustainability—you’ll see how they unfold on the ground, while building cross-cultural understanding, practical skills, and a deeper sense of global responsibility. ISDSI’s programs are designed for students who want meaningful academic learning, immersive cultural experiences, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact.

ISDSI offers three semester-long programs: Society and Culture of Thailand, Culture, Ecology, and Community, and Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Global South. All three programs share a home base at ISDSI’s Chiang Mai campus—constructed from renovated shipping containers—while offering distinct academic content and learning experiences.

Society and Culture of Thailand (SCT)

An immersive experience in the cultural heart of Thailand – Chiang Mai

For students eager to immerse themselves in Thailand’s rich cultural traditions, this SCT semester is centered in the historic city of Chiang Mai—a hub of art, history, and sustainability in northern Thailand.

The program blends academic coursework with hands-on experiences, offering a deep dive into Thai society, history, and arts.

Culture, Ecology and Community (CEC) 

An expedition-based learning semester across Thailand's diverse landscapes

This field-intensive semester takes students deep into Thailand’s ecological and cultural diversity through a series of immersive expeditions. Instead of traditional classroom learning, students will trek through remote forests, kayak along tropical coastlines, and live with host families in indigenous and farming communities.

Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Global South (OVC)

The Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Global South semester combines academic study with hands-on experience in child welfare. Students explore Thai language, history, and policies alongside critical issues like human trafficking and foster care. A field placement with local organizations provides practical application, while discussions on faith and self-care support ethical engagement in sustainable development.

Academics

Society and Culture of Thailand Program

• Thai Language - Foreign Language (4 credits)
• Thai History and Politics - History (4 credits)
• Sustainability in Thailand - Sustainability (4 credits)
• Society, Culture, and the Arts of Thailand - Sociology (4 credits) 
  -- can count for fine arts core

Culture, Ecology and Community Program

• Thai Language and Society - Foreign Language (6 credits)
• Sustainable Food Systems: Social and Biological Factors in Sustainable Agriculture - Biology/Sociology (4 credits)
• Political Ecology of Forests: Upland People and Natural Resources - Anthropology/Ecology (4 credits)
• Culture and Ecology of the Andaman: Islands, Reefs and Mangroves - Ecology/Geography (4 credits)

Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Global South Program

• Thai Language - Foreign Language (4 credits)
• Thai History and Culture - History (4 credits)
• Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Global South - Sociology/Social Work (4 credits)
• Field Placement - Sociology (4 credits)

Cost

For a semester with ISDSI a student is billed ISDSI costs, along with a $150 Global Education administration fee. Applicable federal, state and private aid will apply, however, Gordon institutional aid is not carried over. Please contact the Global Education Office with any questions.   

ISDSI comprehensive fees include:

• Tuition
• Housing
• In-country books/readers
• Program related travel in Thailand
• Program related food (on expeditions, etc.)
• Monthly cash stipend for food not covered on expeditions

Not covered: 

• Roundtrip airfare to Thailand
• Thai visa
• Any personal clothing or gear you may need for your semester
• All students will be issued an ISDSI transcript. If needed, a transcript from their School of Record, the University of Minnesota, is available for a $450 fee

Application Procedure & Deadlines

All Gordon students applying to this program must first submit an online seat application to the Global Education Office before applying directly to the program. Seat applications for the Fall semester must be submitted to the GEO by February 15. The following Spring semester seat applications are due April 15. 

After the Global Education Office has notified you of your approval you may then proceed with the program's application. See the ISDSI Program website for more information on applications and deadlines. Please be aware that ISDSI program applications are considered on a first-come first-serve basis.