Ecology and Conservation in Chiang Mai, Thailand

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: July 2 to August 10, 2010

Description: LOOP Abroad is an exclusive study abroad summer program for high school students between the ages of 15 and 18. We spend 2 days in Boston before leaving for Thailand.

This summer's program is focused on ecology and conservation, and will take place in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chiang Mai offers a chance to explore authentic Thai culture and fantastically diverse national parks, while still having modern amenities and world-class health facilities close at hand. Twenty students will live with eight faculty in a private hostel in a gated community.

During the day, the group will explore national parks, mountains, rain forests, and caves in the surrounding area, and will publish their findings in an online wiki. Thai language classes, visits to city sites, yoga classes, and other cultural activities fill the rest of our weekdays. Faculty will also lead some short biology labs in the field, and help students to compose and edit college essays about their experiences. In addition, a leadership curriculum is offered to support the students' working as a team.

On the weekends, we head to activities like zip-lining, the tiger nursery, go-karts, the rooftop pool, thai cooking, and Muay Thai to relax and experience Chiang Mai on a different level. Highlights of the trip include a week living and volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park (satisfying many high school service hour requirements) and a four-day trek through the rain forest, which features riding elephants and staying overnight with the Karen Hill Tribe people.

If you're interested in learning more, please go to our website (loop abroad dot com) for details.

Highlights: Highlights include:

- A week living and volunteering with elephants at the Elephant Nature Park outside of Chiang Mai. Students will live in raised wooden huts and interact daily with the elephants, including taking them to a second property in the jungle.

- A four-day trek through the mountainous rainforest north of Chiang Mai. Students will travel on foot and elephant-back as a group. Overnights will be in trekking huts along the way, and one night will be spent with the people of the Hill Tribes.

-Exploring

- Staying in a private hostel with the group, which lets us be immersed in Thai culture while still having some personal space to work and relax. Hostel has hot water, air conditioning, 24-hour security, and many other features.

- Adventure and cultural activities on the weekend including the longest zip line in Southeast Asia and petting baby tigers and lions at a tiger reserve.

- Coming home with all your college essays (and applications, if you want) finished!

Cost in US$: 11,500 USD

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 20

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Loop Abroad LLC's Mission Statement: LOOP Abroad is an exclusive study abroad summer program for high school students. Located in Newton, MA, LOOP (which stands for Learning Opportunities and Outreach Programs) was founded by a Harvard Graduate School of Education student with a strong interest in providing a superior summer abroad experience.

Year Founded: 2009