Living in a Diverse World in Thailand
Why Thailand?
This 14-day immersion trip through northern Thailand provides a comprehensive overview of Hmong peoples' arrival from Thailand to La Crosse and Wisconsin. It correlates the Hmong diaspora with the obstacles facing recently displaced people arriving in Wisconsin, including retaining their cultural identity while adapting to life in a new country. Participants will learn about Thai education, culture, ethical tourism, industry, Buddhism, the various Hilltribes, Royal projects, sustainability, and commerce as they travel through northern Thailand, which includes the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. In-country speakers will provide supplemental information about the history, religion, and the locations included on the trip.The Hmong people have had a long history in the state of Wisconsin and the upper Mid-West. It is my hope, in co-leading this program, that I will be able to expand the cultural, historic, and societal understanding of the Hmong people for our students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, empowering our students to gain a greater global perspective of the world to bring back to the Viterbo campus and their lives.
Dates
- 05/14/2023 to 05/27/2023
Inclusions
- International airfare
- Ground transportation
- Hill Tribe Museum
- 24/7 emergency support
- Embedded medical insurance
- Walking tour/Night Bazaar
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Wachiratharn waterfall
- Karen Hilltribe village visit
- Hmong Hilltribe and market village visit
- Akha Hilltribe village visit
- Silk factory
- Umbrella factory
- Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
- Ethical elephant sanctuary
- Doi Suthep temple Phu CHi Fa
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
- Wat Rong Sue Ten (Blue Temple)
- Wat Huay Pla Kang Doi Tung Tree Walk and Wat Phra That Doi Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest (cave where soccer players were rescued)
Info Session
Special Announcements
Space is still available - sign up today! More students on our trip means more fun for everyone! If you've already signed up, tell all your friends and other families that there's still space on the tripChiang Mai - 7 days
Highlands Discovery Museum
Explore the lives of Thailand’s minority hill tribes through the exhibits of the Highland People Discovery Museum. Established in 1965, this site used to be known as the Tribal Museum and now showcases the lifestyle, culture, and tradition of Thailand’s citizens. (Entrance included)
Chiang Mai Old City Walking Tour and Night Bazaar Market
This evening, enjoy a lively night out in Chiang Mai town, using joint local transportation (Song Teaw) through the South Gate of the old city to the traditional street food market. During the walk, you will be tempted by the heady aromas emanating from the various food stalls and simple carts, where you can choose from deep fried pancakes, Kanom Jin (rice noodles with curry soup), Kanom Krok (Thai coconut pudding), noodle soup, deep fried taro, pad Thai, and the summer favorite of sweet mango with sticky rice. Then, drive to the night market, which may be the best place you will encounter in all of Thailand. (Entrance not applicable. Song Teaw usage included)
Doi Inthanon National Park & Wachirathan Waterfall
Doi Inthanon National Park, with the highest mountain in Thailand (2,565 meters), is a popular destination for a one-day excursion. The park offers beautiful scenery, evergreen forests, dwarf rhododendron groves and many types of habitat. The area is also popular for birdwatching, being home to nearly 400 bird species, many, which are from north Asia. Other stops along the winding road include Karen hill tribe villages, Wachiratharn waterfall and the twin chedi built by Thai Air Force to commemorate King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. The summit contains the shrine of Chao Intha with Chanaon, the former prince of Chiang Mai. (Entrance included)
Silk & Bor-Sang Umbrella Factory
As Thailand's main handicraft center, Chiang Mai is surrounded by small cottage factories and workshops. On this tour visit the San Kamphaeng district, heart of the silk and cotton industries, to witness the fascinating process of making and weaving these popular fabrics. Continue on to Bor Sang, the umbrella village, where the delicate Thai paper umbrellas are produced and hand painted. (Entrance included)
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
Visit Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, which houses a variety of plants, ranging from common to rare. You will walk on a bridge canopy and visit the beautiful glasshouses in addition to a waterfall. (Entrance included)
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
Learn about the activities of this organization and hear an overview of elephant welfare programs, the natural habitat, and behavior of elephants. Students will get to take part in cleaning and feeding the elephants before heading back to camp to eat lunch. (Fees included)
Chiang Mai Night Market
Visit Chiang Mai’s exciting and extensive night market to browse or pick up a souvenir to bring home.
Doi Suthep & Hmong Village
Climb Mount Doi Suthep to visit the stunning temple and enjoy great views of the province of Chiang Mai. Then visit the quaint and picturesque Hmong hilltribe with its unique market at Doi Pui. Meet Hmong hill people in their colorful attire, selling a wide range of decorative ornaments and textiles. Then, take in the fruit trees which have now replaced the opium poppy as Hmong’s traditional cash crop.
Phu Chi Fa - 1 Day
Wat Rong Khun
Known as the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun stands as a symbol of the purity of Buddhism. With the bright white color and ornament mirrors, this temple is a beautiful site to see. (Entrance included)
Chiang Rai - 3 days
Wat Rong Sue Ten
Known as the Blue Temple, Wat Rong Sue Ten is a site to behold. Its vivid blue color sets it apart from other Buddhist temples in Thailand.
Wat Huay Pla Kang
This complex Chinese pagoda includes 9 floors and a giant Buddha. Set atop a mountain, this site never fails to impress. (Entrance included)
Doi Tung Tree Walk
At Doi Tung, visit the Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden, which is located at 1512 m. above sea level, the Royal Chalet of the Princess, a local museum, and treetop walk. Then, head to Wat Phra That Doi Tung, a temple that sits atop Doi Tung, the tallest mountain in Chiang Rai at approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. It comprises of twin Lanna-style stupas, one of which is believed to contain the left collarbone of Lord Buddha. (Entrance included)
Chiang Mai - 3 Days
Huay Luek (Mae Sa Mai Village) & Ban Lorcha (Akha Village)
Visit the hilltribe village of ban Lorcha, a phami Akha Tribe, and Huay Luek. See the beautiful landscapes there and visit the local market. (Entrances included)
Warorot Market
Visit the lively Warorot Market to shop or just enjoy this beautiful display of Thai culture that is the night market. (Entrance not applicable)
Lin J Rauch
Assistant Professor
ljrauch@viterbo.eduLin Rauch is an assistant professor of nursing at Viterbo University with an extensive background in intensive care and critical care nursing. In 2019, she traveled through northern Thailand on a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Study Abroad grant for a month-long study of the Hmong diaspora. She is excited to share future Thailand travel opportunities with students.
Phone: 608-796-3697
Melissa Rodriguez Collum
Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
mcollum@viterbo.eduMelissa Rodriguez Collum is the Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Viterbo University and is staring her 10th year on faculty. As a specialist in Global Educational Evalution she has lived and worked around the globe. The majority of her travels have been in Central and East Africa and India. Her work goes beyond the field of education and focuses on health and wellbeing girls and women in all societies.
Office: NRC 423
Office (608) 796-3170
Cell/What’s App: (920) 737-8635
Funding Your Program
- Scholarship Options: WorldStrides offers a variety of scholarships to help make study abroad possible for all students. There are three scholarship opportunities available: Higher Ed Traveler, Diversity & Inclusion, and the Natalie Shea Memorial Scholarships. You can learn more and apply here.
- Financial Assistance: WorldStrides makes more than $2 million in funding available each year to students in financial need seeking educational travel opportunities. To find out if you qualify and apply, click here.
- Gift of Education: When you enroll in a WorldStrides program, a personal fundraising page will be created on your behalf. You can customize your page and share it with family or on social media to help raise funds for your program. To learn more, click here.
Why travel with WorldStrides?
Transformative Experiences
Experiential learning is a the heart of what we do. Thoughtful immersions enhance each and every program by providing cultural context to push you outside your comfort zone and develop true global perspective.
Included Insurance
With medical insurance included for each participant on our programs, parents and students can rest assured that we've got you covered! Our comprehensive plan boasts $100K in medical insurance, including 100% mental wellness coverage, security evacuation, and bedside visitor benefit for most hospitalizations.
In the heart of the action
Centrally located hotels in our international destinations free up extra hours for spontaneous exploration and fun.
Hygiene
Masks will be required while indoors and on the motor coach. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the program, including on buses and at hotels. Students will be asked a series of questions daily to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
Travel with your taste buds.
We carefully select where our travelers dine, making sure it's authentic local cuisine, served in local restaurants.
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