SE Asia Regional Area Study

This program is run in coordination with the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI),  a study abroad provider based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Program focus is on sustainable development, with a further focus on experiential education. The Lewis and Clark semester in Thailand is 16 weeks long, based in the 700 year old city of Chiang Mai. The semester also includes weekly excursions in and around Chiang Mai, as well as three multi-day excursions, including to a lowland Thai village, an upland indigenous community, and to a community in Southern Thai coasts and islands.

This program will offer a unique experiential learning opportunity for students interested in sustainable development, environment-society relationships, indigeneity and ethnic identity, rural livelihoods, development practice, the impact of tourism in the Global South, contemporary political, social, and economic debates in Southeast Asia, and participatory/experiential approaches to learning.

Program Location

Chiang Mai is a city in mountainous northern Thailand. Founded in 1296, it was the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. Its Old City area still retains vestiges of walls and moats from its history as a cultural and religious center. It is also home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang, adorned with carved serpents.

About the 2026 Program Leader: Director of Orchestral Activities and Music Director and Conductor of the Lewis & Clark Orchestra, Lance Inouye teaches courses in music theory, musicianship, and conducting. He is Artistic Director and Conductor of the Willamette Valley Symphony and the Portland Concert Opera. Active as a guest lecturer and conductor, Inouye has recently given conducting masterclasses at Mahidol University College of Music in Bangkok, Thailand, and at the Instituto de Formación Integral Coro y Orquesta Urubichá, in Bolivia.

Requirements Fulfilled: 

General Education – This program fulfills the Global Perspectives general education requirement for students who successfully complete 8 or more semester credits. IS-234 fulfills EITHER the Culture, Power and Identify OR the Historical Perspectives general education requirement.

Major / Minor Requirements - This program fulfills the overseas study requirement for the Asian Studies minor or major.

Credits

4 courses (16 credits)

Curriculum:

IS-234 Thai History and Society

This course focuses on the history of Thailand and Southeast Asia, as well as major social issues in Thailand, Thai social and political structure, and the economics of Thai development. This will include field studies in and around the 700 year old city of Chiang Mai, looking at markets, temples, and more. This course explores the history and politics of Thailand, from its place among the ancient kingdoms in Southeast Asia to contemporary social and political issues. Special emphasis will be on understanding how contemporary Thai society and politics have deep cultural and historical roots.

IS-235 Thai Language

Focus on conversational and functional Thai language acquisition. Language classes start on the first day, continue throughout the semester, and cover both written and spoken Thai. Emphasis on speaking, listening comprehension, and reading and writing skills. Provides fundamental language skills in Thai for use in daily life, as well as during courses and independent learning throughout the Southeast Asia program.

IS-236 Sustainability and Natural Resources

Examination of the challenges of sustainability in Thailand, especially as related to small-scale tropical agriculture, ecology, and access to and use of natural resources in the Global South. Field studies outside the classroom complement seminars to understand Thailand’s challenges and opportunities for creating a more sustainable future. Three distinct units covering the major issues in sustainability in Thailand and the Global South more generally.

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Depending upon the year, one course from the selections below will be offered. LC course availability will vary based on year and program leader, and is determined by the Overseas Office:

IS-239 Topics in SE Asia

Taught by the faculty leader of the SE Asia Regional Area Study overseas program, this course will focus on a topic within the leader’s discipline and expertise. The course will make use of SE Asia resources and will incorporate site visits. Topics will vary by year and leader.

For the 2024 program, Professor Podobnik will teach a course on that focuses on contemporary social and cultural dilemmas that are facing the nation of Thailand; students will conduct research on topics of interest to them throughout the semester for this course. 

For the 2026 program, Associate Professor Inouye will teach a course that will explore the arts and cultural identity, focusing mainly on music. There are many different modes of musical artistic expression in this region ranging from Western Classical music to music specifically from this region. Students will learn about the different types of musical forms, their origins, and their cultural significance. Guest artists and field trips to various events will be an integral part of this program. 

LC Departmental course

In place of IS-239, the faculty leader (with the approval of the Overseas Director) may choose a relevant course selected from LC’s existing curriculum to be offered in situ. Course offerings may include a research methods course using topics relevant to the region, or other offerings from the LC Curriculum in the faculty leader’s area of expertise.

Housing: Students live in apartments in Chiang Mai. There are homestay components during excursions to the north and south of Thailand.

“It’s cool to be able to learn [a bit of] Thai, but it’s not easy! It was a very unfamiliar experience but also rewarding.”

“Have an open mind! Be willing and excited to constantly reevaluate your own expectations and assumptions, particularly relating to what academic work looks like in another country.”

“Pack clothing that is respectable to Thai culture and make sure you prepare to be a bit overwhelmed at first. It is a very different culture however this trip was the highlight of my time at Lewis and Clark.”

“Take advantage of all the opportunities to get to know Thai students and people! Put yourself in positions where you are immersed in Thai culture, not just tourist culture! Use your Thai language skills as much as possible and go to community events/situations that are not catered to tourists. I was especially fulfilled by making friendships with Thai students, going to play sports at local sports centers, going to local festivals/markets, etc.”

“It’s important to understand the differences between Lewis & Clark and other countries. While you may have been blessed with being in a very liberal, open-minded community, it’s time to push that aside and step into the discomfort of not understanding the language and cultural customs. You must learn to not expect things to be adjusted to accommodate you.”

“The workload and academic expectations were much more intense than I anticipated, especially with some of the research components. Don’t get me wrong - it’s totally manageable, but it’s definitely more rigorous than your typical study abroad experience. If I had known this going in, I could have better prepared myself mentally and maybe even brushed up on some research skills beforehand.”

2026-2027 Fee Breakdown*

Total Fee (includes Tuition, Program Fee, and Health & Wellness Fee): $44,791

Tuition: $35,329

Program Fee: $9,425

Health & Wellness Fee: $37**

Included in the program fee are room/housing, board/meals, and administrative fees. Not included are airfare, passport and visa expenses, primary insurance coverage, photographs, books, immunizations, and incidentals. 

*Fees are updated every February for the following academic year.

**The Health & Wellness Fee supports the operations of Wellness Services staff in delivering pre-program orientation services, as well as in providing health-related consultation regarding participant health needs. All students in the College of Arts and Sciences pay a mandatory fee of $37 per semester.

Stipend: Students will receive a stipend to cover the cost of meals and transportation costs not covered by the program fee.

Estimated Airfare (Round Trip PDX to CNX): $1,500 - $2,000

Estimated Travel Document Fees: $80 - $100

Estimated Health Insurance Fee: $1,906

All students participating in overseas programs are automatically enrolled in iNext, a supplemental travel insurance program. The fee for iNext is covered in the program cost. However, students are also required to have comprehensive health insurance during their time abroad. All students participating in overseas programs, both abroad and domestic, are automatically enrolled in the College’s student health insurance program. Similar to a regular semester on-campus, students participating in overseas programs may waive enrollment in the student health insurance program if they have other comprehensive health insurance (e.g., through a parent, guardian or employer) that 1) provides coverage for them in the geographic region in which they will be studying and 2) includes mental health benefits. Find more information regarding health insurance & overseas programs.

Physical Requirements:

Before applying to this program, you should assess and determine if you are physically and/or emotionally able to participate in the following physical demands required by some of this program’s activities:

• Walking or hiking up to 5 miles in a day, sometimes for two or more days in a row, sometimes on hilly, uneven, or unpaved terrain in hot conditions
• Climbing and descending stairs
• Using public transportation, including often crowded buses
• Navigating crowded streets and sidewalks
• Exercising caution when crossing busy streets
• Standing for long periods during tours and site visits
• Entering into older buildings with narrow and sometimes steep staircases, at times with limited or no access to elevators
• Swimming, which is highly recommended if you want to participate fully in some of the program’s aquatic surveys, but is not required
• Exposure to mosquitoes and other biting insects
• The possibility of warm/hot temperatures while residing in locations without air conditioning, and/or cold temperatures while residing in locations with a comfort for lower indoor temperatures
• The possibility of long, busy days with little downtime and infrequent days off from program activities
• Heightened consideration for food and water safety
• Certain vaccinations are required or highly recommended. Please consult with a travel health clinic

If you have questions or are concerned about these or any other program activities, please contact the Lewis & Clark College Overseas & Off-Campus Programs office (overseas@lclark.edu).

Application Process: Applications are due one year before the start of the program. The semester before the program, students who have been accepted will meet regularly for orientation. This orientation is meant to prepare the students for life in Thailand by exploring literature and culture, and provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the logistical details of the program.

Learn more about our application process.

Travel: Students usually fly into Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), where they meet as a group and begin orientation.

Visa: Students will be required to apply for a visa in order to participate in this program. More information will be provided upon admission to the program.

Country-Specific Health Information: View specific health information for people traveling to Vietnam.

State Department Country Information: Visit the State Department’s Thailand page.