Students are expected to review the briefing materials and develop a list of issues they plan to investigate during the visit. Students visit a variety of projects and speak to as many people involved with the issues at hand as possible including government officials, village organization leaders, NGO workers, and the villagers themselves. A facilitator accompanies the group and acts as a translator. After the project visits, the facilitator and students meet to process as well as share their experiences and as a group, determine the key issues. Each student is expected to write a short paper reflecting on the visit.
Students have a series of lectures on research methods.
Students return to a workshop to discuss methodological and other problems encountered. Students are expected to come up with a plan by which they can pursue their own interests. After working out an action plan with staff, students then set out for three to four weeks of research, meeting at least three times with staff and other students to discuss progress and problems. A certificate of completion is issued by the Research and Development Institute, Khon Kaen University. The program's language instruction utilizes a proficiency-based approach designed to enable students to function effectively in everyday communicative situations.