Thailand Field School

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Apply now via our Field School Application. 

Depart: February 13, 2025

Return: February 24, 2025

Destinations: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, National Park Island beaches of Koh Surin

Open to students across disciplines! See Eligibility Criteria

Join a group of 22 CapU students and two CapU instructors for an immersive, off-the-beaten path global adventure. Go deep into the rich and vibrant culture of Thailand across three diverse destinations in Central and Southern Thailand. From the urban centre of bustling Bangkok to the Historic City (designated by UNESCO) of Ayutthaya, to the National Park Island beaches of Koh Surin. Along the way the focus of our learning will be on the informal economy.  In each destination, students will be invited to experience specific sectors and learn from the entrepreneurs, organizations, and workers engaged in the transportation, (street) food and beverage, and tourism sectors of Thailand’s informal economies. We will meet, hear from, and discuss with the tuk tuk drivers of BKK, homestay owners from Ayutthaya, the Moken people of the Andaman Sea, and more! Extensive planning and preparation have been put into these experiences to ensure the safety and security, well-being and cultural sensitivity of both hosts and participants. This field school looks to transform students' understandings and perspectives on poverty, socio-economic innovation, women's empowerment, and Indigenous tourism.

Exciting scholarships available! The Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) scholarship* is available to Indigenous students, low income students, and students with disability ($3,000 - guaranteed) and all other participants ($2,300 - guaranteed). *domestic students only

Dates and Locations 

• Pre-trip classes: Jan-Feb, 2025 – three six-hour in person class sessions taught by your field school instructors before you depart.
• Pre-departure sessions: Nov 2024 to Feb 2025 – four mandatory pre-departure sessions facilitated by CapU’s Study Abroad Team, covering topics such as Thai culture and customs, Indigenous perspectives, travel and packing, budgeting and money matters, health and well-being, and risk planning.
• On the road: February 13-24, 2025 – in Central and Southern Thailand
• Re-entry session: March 2025 – one mandatory re-entry session facilitated by CapU’s Study Abroad Team, covering topics such as reverse culture shock and post-trip reflections.

Field School Leaders 

 Chris Carnovale, CapU Instructor, Tourism

 Tammy Towill, CapU Instructor, Business

Course

By completing Thailand Field School 2025, you will earn 6.0 CapU credits with this field school by completing TOUR 370 (Special Topics in Tourism Management) and BADM 320 (Special Topics in Business Administration). These courses are open to all CapU across disciplines students. Once accepted, you will receive a pre-requisite override for these courses. The courses are designed in a way that embraces and employs your unique academic program skills and background. No prior tourism or business experience is necessary!

These are Spring 2025 term courses. Course requirements will be fulfilled during the field school in addition to the three (3) class sessions taught by your field school instructors before you depart.

Cost

The Thailand Field School 2024 is priced at around $5000 (subject to change due to flight cost fluctuations). The cost covers return international airfare, double occupancy accommodation, airport transfer at the destination, in-country transportation, all activities (cultural visits, field trips), and most meals.

The program fee does not include tuition fees or surcharges for tuition, passport fees, entry visa, travel vaccinations (optional), some meals (about 20% of all meals), travel to and from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), transportation expenses other than those indicated on the itinerary, and other personal expenses.

Scholarships awarded to all accepted students!

All accepted Thailand Field School 2025 participants* will be awarded a $2,300-$3000 Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) scholarship as part of the Government of Canada’s outbound mobility pilot program. The Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) scholarship* is available to Indigenous students, low income students, and students with disability ($3,000 - guaranteed) and all other participants ($2,300 - guaranteed). *domestic students only

The GSO scholarship is designed to support Canadian students at CapU to develop valuable intercultural skills by studying or working abroad. This generous scholarship aims to support Indigenous students, students with disabilities, low-income students (full scholarship), and all other students (partial scholarship) who have been accepted into Thailand Field School 2025.

Other exciting scholarships and awards are available such as the One World Scholarship, which weighs primarily on your past community and volunteer experience.

Ask us about Thailand Field School 2025 scholarships by contacting studyabroad@capilanou.ca.