Spring Semester in Thailand » share the experience!

meet the Ajarns (professors)

Michael and Ann Leming
Dr. Michael Leming is Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Anthropology and Asian Studies at St. Olaf College where he has taught for more than 35 years. He is the author of more than 25 books in sociology and anthropology. Ann A. Leming is a Retired Professor in the Education Departments of St. Olaf College and Carleton College for more than 30 years related to the education of exceptional students. Since 2001 the Lemings have directed the Spring Semester in Thailand program, which is affiliated with Chiang Mai University, and have brought more than 300 American students to Thailand since 1990. Michael Leming is responsible for the sociology and anthropology classes in the program and Ann Leming directs the internship program.

Pirapon Israbhakdi
Pirapon Israbhakdi is the In-country General Coordinator of the Spring Semester in Thailand and teaches history in the Faculty of Humanities of Chiang Mai University. He has worked with the Lemings in directing Thai studies programs in Chiang Mai for more than 20 years. He is the logistical coordinator in Thailand for all aspects of the program and as a licensed Thai tour guide, he has special responsibilities for field trips and weekend excursions.

Pitsamai Arwakulpanich
Pitsami Arwakulpanich is the deputy dean and professor in the Faculty of Fine Arts of Chiang Mai University. She directs and teaches in the SST course Principles of Lanna and Thai Fine Arts. She has taught at Chiang Mai University, Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand), and Milliken University (Grand Rapids, MI). She received her bachelors’ degree from Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand) and Master of Science degree in woven textile design at Philadelphia University.

Anek Kimsuvan
The courses in Thai language (oral and written) are directed and taught by Anek Kimsuvan. He received his bachelor’s degree from Chiang Mai University and his M.A. and Ph. D. in Linguistics from Heidelberg University in Germany. Dr. Kimsuvan is one of only a small number of Full Professors in the Faculty of Humanities at Chiang Mai University where for more than 30 years he has taught both linguistics and German language.

Jan 26 2012

Art Field Trip & Weekly Update #3

Posted in classes, cmu, group, host families, internships, living in chaing mai, sst 2012 1 comment

SST 2012 Update #3, written by Abigail Saunders, Junior Journalism major (Anthropology/Sociology minor) from Messiah College.

Sawatdee Kha:

It was our first full weekend staying with our host families and Sunday marked one full week we’ve stayed with them. In just one week, many of us have experienced new foods, perspectives, and activities. Some ventured off to festivals such as theInternational Horticultural Exposition Ratchaphruek 2011 (http://www.royalflora2011.com/2011_en/blog/2011/06/25/press-conference-of-the-international-horticultural-exposition-ratchaphruek-2011-on-20-may-2011-at-the-central-plaza-chiang-mai-airport/). Other students went to vibrant markets and spent quality time getting to know their families.

Adjusting to a new house in an unfamiliar location and being surrounded by a foreign language can be overwhelming at times. This lack of comfort and familiarity can begin to have a negative effect unless viewed as a chance to learn. The viewpoint in which we choose to look at our new environment not only affects our attitude but our ability to learn as well.

Having a firm foundation in Christ, an open heart, and engaging in conversations with others can help put things into perspective. How much more character is developed when we overcome life’s obstacles? I’d have to say a lot. I might even say it seems funny now to look back on the things we once deemed difficult.

The daunting Thai language test was Tuesday and we all survived. The test consisted of each of us individually speaking with two of our ajarns [professors]. We were each required to speak for three minutes about ourselves, things we like, dislike, etc.. The three minutes were followed by a few questions from each ajarn.

The great thing about learning in Thailand is our textbooks come alive in the very place we are living. Lucky for us, almost every day so far has been warm and absolutely gorgeous. We took an art class field trip on Friday and viewed intricate architecture and artwork in and outside Chiang Mai. Our first stop was on the campus of Chiang Mai University where many ancient Lana buildings had been reconstructed by our professor, Aj. Vithi. Then we traveled outside the city to a very old (more than 600 years old) temple that had been preserved to show us the way temples were traditionally constructed. We then went to Wiang Kun Kum, (King Mangrai’s first city) which predated Chiang Mai before he founded Chiang Mai more than 700 years ago. (see http://www.visitchiangmai.com.au/wiang_kum_kam.html).

Our final stop on our tour was Chiang Mai’s first Buddhist temple, Wat Chiang Mon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Chiang_Man) which was build 1297 AD by King Mangrai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Mangrai) to commemorate the funding of the city of Chiang Mai. Aj. Vithi had drawn the sketches which were later painted on the walls of the temple to commerate the 700 year birthday of Chiang Mai in 1996. How fortunate we were to have such a wonderful and famous tour guide in Ajarn Vithi.

Wednesday was our first Internship Seminar class led by Ajarn Ann and we had the chance to discuss cultural differences, experiences in our internships, and developing a “ministry of presence.” Ajarn Mike and Ann spoke to us about the scripture Matthew 25:35-40.

We ended class by singing a few worship songs and celebrating Brandi’s birthday with banana muffins.

Many of us have heard the saying, “To whom much is given; much more is required.” I think I can speak for all the students when I say we’ve all been blessed with the opportunity to study here in Thailand. At times we will struggle and at other times we will celebrate; but it is important to keep in mind how privileged we truly are to be here in Thailand.