Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai existed in obscure splendor for centuries, but TGS students will quickly discover the potential Lanna King Mengrai saw back in 1296. Built on high fertile ground, this ancient walled city with its defensive moat and canals has remarkably retained its Lanna heritage and cultural identity while embracing increased modernization and a campaign to be declared a UNESCO Creative City.

Along with the demands of this trimester's course work, TGS students will become human sponges, as they soak in all that Chiang Mai has to offer. 95% of the Thai population practices Theravada Buddhism, also known as the 'Ancient Teaching'. As students explore the 300+ temples in the Chiang Mai province, they will channel the wisdom of a monk attempting to understand the difference between this highly philosophical belief system and the Mahayana Buddhism practiced throughout China. Students could even find themselves in Bangkok admiring the Grand Palace and its emerald Buddha.

To put history in context, we plan to travel through time and bear witness to the 'Death Railway', which was built by Allied prisoners of war for the Japanese during WW2. The fate Chiang Mai was spared by Burma will become evident amongst the ruins of Ayutthaya as we search for the mystical Buddha nestled in a fig tree. We’ll experience the simplicity and challenges of hill tribe life during a work/stay in the village of one of the six remote hill tribes of the North, and we’ll gain perspective on one of Burma’s oldest internal conflicts as we stand at the Golden Triangle of three countries.

This will be a trimester of intense studies along with cultural and historical exploration, but if you thought it stopped there, คิดอีกครั้ง ('think again'). This is a country of jungle trekking, caving, elephant preservation parks, mountain biking, waterfalls, and whitewater rafting. Much like the Thai delicacies we’ll create in cooking school, it’s just a taste of what Chiang Mai and the ‘Land of Smiles’ have to offer.