Up with People Global Education Program

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Khon Kaen,  Chiang Rai

Term: Fall, Spring 
Dates: Starting in February and August

Description: The Up with People Global Education Program is a semester-long, study abroad program for international youth, ages 18-29.

The mission of the Up with People program is to develop and connect young people of the world, inspiring the qualities of leadership, global perspective, social responsibility and contribution to community. The program combines the study of leadership with practical hands-on learning and teamwork opportunities.

Up with People provides graduates with invaluable skills and experiences needed for our increasingly global and multicultural environment. Graduates of the Up with People Global Education Program will earn 15 transferable semester hours from the University of Colorado at Denver's Department of Communications upon completion of the program.

WorldSmart is a program of Up with People. Founded in 1965, Up with People is a not-for-profit, non religious, and non political organization.

Highlights: Around the world in 19 weeks, visiting 18 cities, living with 18 families, traveling to 7 countries, landing in 3 regions of the world, learning with more than 100 classmates and treasuring countless memories...this is the Up with People Global Education Program. The program takes place over 19 weeks, with our first two programs running 2 August 2004 to 14 December 2005 and 31 January 2005 to 12 June 2005.

Each program begins with an online orientation course that briefs you and prepares you prior to your departure for orientation. The entire class travels and meets for the first time in Denver, Colorado for a two-week training and orientation to the program.

Following orientation, you travel to 17 cities, and spend a week in each location. Our first program travels to: U.S., Canada, Japan, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Visit our website to view our online tour.

This is a typical weekly schedule:
Monday - Travel
Tuesday - Leadership Instruction
Wednesday - Community Impact and Internship
Thursday - Community Impact and Internship
Friday - Regional Learning and Community Celebration
Saturday - Personal Day
Sunday - Host Family Day

Highlights: Host Family Living. Your 18 host families -- from 7 different countries -- are your window on local cultures and lifestyles. The opportunity to visit people in their home and community gives you an unparalleled level of cultural immersion and friendships, many of which last a lifetime.

Leadership Instruction. Up with People's leadership curriculum consists of direct theoretical learning and workshop time, delivered by trained staff facilitators, visiting professors and guest lecturers. This intensive curriculum establishes the framework to develop your leadership skills through hands-on community outreach and service and internship experiences. For example, in Maruko, Japan, you may listen to remarks from the mayor and local government officials about the structure and style of government, the role of leadership within local culture, and the importance of global outreach on the local economy.

Regional Learning. In each community, you will be able to explore a selection of regional highlights such as seats of history, governments, companies and centers of learning through organized and individual activities. Examples include a visit to the German Parliament 'Deutsche Bundestag' with a discussion with members of parliament or a visit to the European Union with lively debates on expansion of the union and related challenges.

Host Family Days. A day spent with a host family is a unique opportunity to focus into a local culture. Host families may take you to go sightseeing, introduce you to family or take you to their favorite neighborhood places. While you are with your host family for the full week, this day is set aside for you to participate in host family activities.

Personal Days. Sleep late, journal, write home or tour the city! A day each week is set aside for you to rest and reflect on their experiences. You may use this time to focus on team projects or to prepare for work in the next city.

Community Celebration. At the end of each week visit, you participate in a thank you event that brings together the people in the communities they live with and serve alongside in their many community activities. This is an opportunity to share experiences, songs, local customs, students' native customs, a multimedia collage of the week's activities and more. Students create and produce these celebrations each week as a part of their overall experience and learning.

College Credit. Our program has two university partners who offer college credit in the US: Carroll College in Waukesha, WI and Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, HI. College credit will be available to students through a US university as of January, 2004. Many other colleges will individually approve credit for the Up with People Global Education Program.

Cost in US$: $14,500

Scholarships are available. A scholarship application is available as part of the online application.

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to Thailand in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Scholarships are available to all applicants. They are awarded based on a scholarship application, and a combination of merit, need, and diversity. Diversity includes geographic, ethnic, socioeconom

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Up with People's Mission Statement: The mission of Up with People is to train people in global leadership and to spark them to action in meeting the needs of their communities, countries, and the world while building bridges of understanding as a foundation for world peace.

Year Founded: 1965