SEA at the Crossroads: Questions of Environment, Development and Culture in Chiang Mai

SEA at the Crossroads: Questions of Environment, Development and Culture in Chiang Mai is a study trip to Chiang Mai province in Thailand. In May 2019, a group of six USP students embarked on the trip to examine environmental and resource issues arising from various factors, such as an increasing population, expanding industry, and intensified agriculture. They learned about the innovative technological solutions that could alleviate these environmental and resource issues. Furthermore, the programme also included a village segment for students to experience village life and its associated problems and complexities.

Read student's reflection here

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 My biggest takeaway from the programme were the interactions with the villagers and students from Chiang Mai University, which made me better understand the issue of haze. We analysed the problem not only from a scientific point of view, but also from a societal perspective on why single blunt policies such as adopting a blanket ban on slash-and-burn farming would not solve the issue.

DEXTER THNG (Life Sciences + USP) The programme reinforces the idea that students should be on the ground to understand the problems faced by people, rather than simply analysing things from the classroom, which is akin to being stuck in an ivory tower. As with the other USP International Programmes that I’ve been to, it is really this sense of going out into the field and getting first-hand experience that makes it special.

JEREMY JEE (Computer Science + USP)