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ISDSI Agroecology and Entrepreneurship (Directory Program)

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  • Locations: Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • Program Terms: Summer
  • Program Sponsor: International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI) 
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English Click here for a definition of this term Class Status: 2-sophomore, 3-junior, 4-senior, 5-grad student
Housing Options: Apartment (alone), Guest House, Homestay Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study: Agriculture, Asian Studies, Biology, Business Administration, Earth Science, Ecology, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Studies, Food Communications, Food Technology and Management, Gastronomy, Geography, Global Studies, Humanities, Independent Study, International Business, International Studies, Internships, Liberal Arts, Sciences, Sustainability, Thai
Program Type: Field Study, Internship Abroad, Study Abroad Click here for a definition of this term Program: Direct
Program Description:
Chiang Mai, Thailand, is emerging as a global center for specialty coffee, artisanal chocolate, and medicinal cannabis. This 6 week program is a hands-on study of these three important crops, learning directly from farmers and local producers as well as completing a 4 week internship or independent research project.

Students will spend extended time in the villages and mountains surrounding Chiang Mai, visiting farms and learning about shade grown coffee, cacao production, medicinal cannabis production, as well as time exploring the ancient city of Chiang Mai.
6 credits are available for this course.

Weeks 1 – 2:
Field studies and experiential learning are a key part of this course. During the rst 2 weeks students will be visiting farmers, upland and lowland communities, doing case studies of successful businesses and cafes, and learning the agrecology, processing, and production of coffee, cacao/chocolate, and medicinal cannabis. Academically challenging and experiential, this course blends together the science of sustainable agroecological production and processing with an understanding of the larger social and economic issues.

Coffee beans in cups
Week 3-6:
Following the 2 weeks of seminars, students will be placed with an organization for a 4 week internship. Strong partnerships with local organizations and communities are a key part of what makes ISDSI courses successful. We work together with local organizations and communities to help them tell their own stories and learn about their issues. As a result our partners are passionate about connecting with and teaching our students, sharing their lives, knowledge, and struggles. 

Student pouring coffee