UCLA - CSW Newsletter November '09 - Link

Student Research Highlights

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By Christina, Christine, Amy, Liz, and Terri

What I Gained from My Thailand Travel Study Program - Cathi Lee

Academic


I thoroughly enjoyed that our learning space rarely consisted of desks and chairs. It many cases our classroom was our immediate surroundings and communities. We learned through a variety of approaches: academic, fieldwork, community-based, experiential, and service learning.


Learning about Rubber Tree Harvesting

Making Nipa Palm Roof with the Moken on Koh Ra

Sustainable Gardening and Effective water use for Mushroom Growing

Our Beach Survey in Chumpon

Culture

There is no better way to understand a culture than drenching yourself head first into it. Thailand is colorful in many ways, experiencing and witnessing the practices of the religions that are there along with the amazing food, language, and people was just a taste of what the country has to offer. I was fortunate to pick up some of the language and even a Thai nickname, Nam Tok.

Visiting the Lying Buddha Traditional Thai Dancing at Beluga School

Statues at the Kuraburi Buddhist Temple

Parade for a Buddhist Holiday

Personal

I engaged in many personal adventures in Thailand, in attempts to personalize my trip. In return I gained some of my fondness memories. The highlight of my trip in Thailand was ziplining with Flight of the Gibbons in Bangkok - Pattaya.

Halfway through the 26 platforms of ziplines. Playing with an otter in a Tung Nam Dam.

Elephant Trekking in Khao Lak

Feeding the Elephant in Pattaya's Open Zoo

Snorkeling off Chumpon

Overall, I gained an unforgettable experience while in Thailand!!!

Erika's Gains from Thailand

PERSONAL

What I gained...

A Better Tolerance for

Large Insects

New Friends

Thai Friends

Small Thai Friends

Elephant Friends

The bonds that I made in Thailand were definitely my greatest personal gain, from our amazing helpers, Kun, Joom, Awe, and Pang to the kids we met at Home and Life and the Beluga School.

CULTURAL

What I learned about...

Thai Welcoming Ceremonies

Bangkok City Life

Buddhist Temples and

the Royal Palace

Muay Thai Fighting

Moken Roof-Making

Thai Dancing

Throughout our trip in "The Land of Smiles," we all gained a lot of firsthand experience in Thai culture. I learned about their main religion, Buddhism, got to participate in a couple of Thai ceremonies, and just got familiar with the laid-back and friendly Thai culture and mentality in general.

ACADEMIC

What I learned about...

Hornbills on Koh Ra

Waterlilies in Kuraburi

Manure Balls (Natural Fertilizer)
at the Plearn Garden in Chumphon

Marine Crabs in Chumphon

From our ocean laboratory to our exchanges with Muslim women's groups, we were always learning. In particular, I gained a lot of new knowledge about sustainability and its practices, and about some of the coastal ecology in Thailand ranging from marine crab habitats to overfishing issues to mangrove restoration.

Barbara's Gains

Academic Gains

As far as academic gains go, I was happy that we were able to work hands on with the environment. My favorite experience with hands on work in an academic setting was when we did our Biodiversity Lab in Chumphon Beach. Having the opportunity to go out and search for different animals and being able to interact with these creatures as well as their habitat was very interesting. Having this opportunity made me realize that I would like to continue to work with a hands on opportunity with different projects and studies. It gave me more motivation to want to experience what I am learning with actual life examples, instead of what I am accustomed to like videos and just textbooks. 

I also gained insight on different methods of evaluation that we practiced during various lectures and workshop type activities. Having had these methods gave me a different perspective on analytical methods. I plan on using these type of evaluation methods in the future with different studies and projects I will be doing. 

Cultural Gains

Culturally, I learned a lot about the Thai culture, from their religion, food, customs, generalized personality, to their language. Being exposed to their completely different culture gave me an insight as to how I could better communicate with people that I met. We were exposed to different aspects of their lives, that I feel regular tourist might not be able to experience. For example, we learned how to cook different meals with their different ingredients. We learned about the culture and their beliefs about Buddah. We experienced different personality traits among different people. For example, children versus adults. Having the opportunity to learn their language also gave us a greater insight, because communication is key to being able to fully understand a particular culture. We also were able to experience the very touristic part of Thailand, when we were in Phuket. For example the diverse amount of sexual interactions that occur, which is very different from the typical Thai conservative custom. I think the best knowledge I gained, as far as Thai culture goes, is that they are very nice people willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. I feel like this is a wonderful trait that more cultures should adapt and practice. 

Personal Gains

There were many personal experiences that I went through, which were all amazing. One of my biggest personal gains was realizing how people who do not know each other, coming from different lifestyles and cultures, from different ages, can come together and help other communities in need. I also learned a couple of Thai words which I had fun teaching my friends at home. I also was able to learn about a culture that I never thought I would be exposed to. 

Another personal gain was learning a lot more about the environment, and how there are a lot of people fighting for a more sustainable world. I had never been too interested in the environment, and usually did the basics to help out like simple recycling. But now I find myself being a lot more considerate, and making everyone around me aware that we should all be more sustainable for the better of our own environment. 

Suza's Gains

[My Interpretation of the Life Map]

Academic Gains:

Most of my academic gains came very subtly. I always knew that during this program I was going to be challenged in the way I was going to be taught. So I was ready to take on many of the developmental tools - from the life maps to the venn diagrams.

[Working hard in Chumpoun]

But what I found to be the most surprising was that I gained a lot of knowledge from our fellow peers. My knowledge and worldview has definitely broadened after meeting so many talented and passionate social reformers. I look forward to learning more about the world through myself, scholars, and my peers.

Personal Gains:

During this trip I had experience many firsts. My first time on a plane, my first time travelling alone, my first time planting rice, my first time on a horse...and the list goes on.

[Horse riding at Din Dang's]

But besides experiencing a lot of new things in a different country, I also came on this trip to find a better understanding of myself and my passions. I know that as a dynamic person my passion will constantly change, but I really learned that I can not always separate things in my life. I know that I've been searching for harmony in my life, but I learned the only harmony that will suit me is the one I make for myself.

[Posing in the Royal Palace]

Cultural Gains:

The culture of Thailand is very similar to my own, Cambodian. From the food to the appareal a lot of the similar Thai values have been taught to me by my family. But what is interesting is that my values have an American twist to it. So actually having to wai, being mindful of my choice of clothing, and taking off my shoes was weird. I tend to think that following tradition is like oppression, forcing yourself to do things but I soon learned that it's beyond listening to what is being told, rather it's a form of respect. And when Thai people smile, they really smile....that was refreshing.

[Children at Home & Life]

Coral Castillo Gains

Coral A. Castillo

UC San Diego

Personal: I think we all grow when we are able to surrounds ourselfs with new experiences. We had the opportunity to work with our peers and develop friendships. I think I develped a better sence of who I am and what I can do in this world. We for many reasons forget the impact that we can have on others and on our environment.

Cultural: The womas batik group was as excited to learn abou us as we were about them. They shared their stories and experiences with us. It was a great cultural experiece to be able to make our batik. These women make them to provide them with a secondary income, a support group, and to provide community empowerement.

Academic:The picture to the right shows the Kho Phra Tong sea turtle office. I think this is a good picture that depicts the academic research I did with Monica, the Noucratis sea turtle expert. This office provide me with alot of history and descriptions of sea turtles nesting habitats