1 week!

First of all, thank you all so much for reading the blog! I've gotten lots of positive feedback and am glad that you're all with me as I begin my study abroad experience! And I have exactly 7 days until I go to Thailand! Eeeee, I'm getting so excited! :D I received a few emails from the program director, so here are a few things I wanted to comment on.

1. Does the program emphasize experiential education over traditional classroom instruction?

A: Yes

Yay! From Comm Dev, I know that experiential education > traditional classroom instruction. So I'm definitely excited that I won't be sitting in a lecture room all day. Plus, one doesn't learn first-hand about social justice and the way the world actually is such by just sitting there!

2. Q: Is there a lot of group process?

A: Yes. For fall 2010, there are 10 of you enrolled in the program.

Um, seriously? Only 10 of us? The estimate from when I first applied to study abroad was that there would be around 30 people for this program. But I guess since the violence in BKK/all around Thailand broke out earlier in the spring, people were scared off. So, even though there aren't as many people, I guess I'm glad that I'm still in the group that is as hardcore and serious as I am about Thailand. Woop woop.

3. Q: What costs does the program NOT cover?

A: The cost of reading packets and books cost about 2,000 Baht (about $60), food while not on trips, electricity costs of dorm rooms, and some laundry costs. You will also need to pay a deposit for bedding and your motorcycle helmet, which is 3,400 Baht (about $100).

You will also need to pay a deposit for your motorcycle helmet

You will also need to pay a deposit for your motorcycle helmet

You will also need to pay a deposit for your motorcycle helmet

You will also need to pay a deposit for your motorcycle helmet

Wait, what? Are you kidding me? brb, crying FOREVER.

4. Q: Will I starve if I eat vegetarian?

A: No.

Oh, okay. All better.

5. Q: Is this program intense?

A: Yes.

Q: Can I leave the country during the program?

A: No.

So, no random trips to South Korea? Dang. But of course we would have to stay in Thailand to get the full experience and stay focused to what we're doing when we work with the local NGOs. So does that mean friends can come and visit me?

6. Q: Can friends or family visit during the program?

A: No.

...Oh.

7. You need one set of "nice" clothes that you can wear when you meet the president of the university--meaning a skirt for the women and a nice blouse that covers the shoulders and doesn't dip too low in the front with nice shoes that at least have a strap around the back of the foot (but not something like Tevas).

We're meeting the president of the university? Awesome! I like how the program director specifically told the women to dress more conservatively and เรียบร้อย ("riab roy"; orderly), as if we're actually going to dress up like we're going clubbing in order to meet the president. Haha, precautions, I suppose. Oh well, it gives me a good reason to finally splurge on some nice, business-y clothes here.

8. Q: Will my time on the program be one of the most challenging and fulfilling things I've ever done?

A: DEFINITELY!

YEAH! Thanks for raising my expectations and putting words in my mouth, CIEE!

They also included some questions that are supposed to get me thinking about issues that we'll be dealing with when we get there.

In your view, describe what you think "education" should or can ideally be. What role should or can a student play?

In your view, what is positive social change? How does it happen? Who makes it happen? What hinders it? What can or have you done in light of your understanding of the possibilities of social change?

What skills or experience do you bring to group building? To you, what does it mean to have a good group process? What is the importance of group dynamics and processes?

What do you think difference between leadership and facilitation is? (Thank you, internship at Leadership Asheville last summer, for preparing me for this question)

To you, what is a "concerned global citizen"?

What is your view of "human rights"?

What is your worldview? How does the world work? How do things happen? (what kind of question...? Umm, okay.)

How does this worldview inform the decisions you make?

I'll post my answers in a few days. But until then, my glorious readers, you be thinking about these questions, too!

Oh, and by the way, here's my address if you want to write to me!

~My name~

c/o CIEE Khon Kaen

PO Box 91

Khon Kaen University

Khon Kaen, Thailand 40002