High school seniors spend their fall or spring semester enjoying a culminating experience that forges the academic studies of school with the opportunity to put to work what they know. They enjoy an international adventure that opens their eyes to the global roles of the host nation and the United States and to each student's individual roles and responsibilities in an interconnected world. They learn about a foreign culture by living it and taking ownership of their learning. Thailand is a dynamic, vibrant country, rich in culture and history. It is a nation of contrasts, dramatic natural beauty, exotic smells, and sophisticated arts.
Thai people are friendly and welcoming.
A constitutional monarchy, Thailand has a king who has provided stability as ruling government parties have changed. Thailand has evolved rapidly from a Third World nation to a major economic power in Southeast Asia and the world. As is often the case with quickly developing nations, Thailand has enjoyed great success and experienced some significant problems related to its growth. While the standard of living and the literacy rate have risen sharply, some environmental tradeoffs have resulted in depleted forests, polluted urban air, and contaminated watersheds. Development has proceeded without careful planning.