Myanmar/Burma

Participant Comments

Program Schedule

Program Photos

Experiencing Southeast Asia’s “hidden” country

There is an Asian nation which:

• has more people (50 million) than the combined population of five other nations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• has a rich cultural heritage, including Bagan, an area with over 2000 temples and pagodas built over 800 years ago.
• has a wide diversity of people and cultures—from the majority population (Burmans) to Chinese, Indians and many local ethnic groups.
• has had very limited contact with the larger world for many years.
• offers a high degree of safety to its visitors.

Despite all of these advantages, this nation is understood and visited by very few people. Traditionally called Burma, it was re-named Myanmar by its present government. It offers the visitor—and especially any interested student of world affairs—a fascinating exploration of culture, development, ethnic diversity and important questions or economics and politics.

This program allows a select group of Japanese and Taiwanese university students to do what they could not do on their own: to enter this country in a way which offers close contact with the people and the historic richness of their culture, religion and art.

The schedule includes:

1. A preliminary series of meetings in Bangkok, Thailand to explore Myanmar’s relations with its neighbors and look at the little-known situation of the ethnic groups which have long been in struggle with the Yangon government.
2. A four-day program in Yangon, Myanmar’s capital, designed and led by Burmese students who will have planned this entry into their culture. To gain a sense of social issues, we’ll talk with UNICEF staff and visit a welfare NGO. Japanese students will meet with diplomats at the Japanese Embassy. At the same time, Taiwanese students will explore the Chinese community in Yangon and meet with Taiwanese businesspeople.
3. An “up-country” exploration of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city and historic capital, and Bagan, a Buddhist historical site recognized as one of the world’s great treasures. In Mandalay, we’ll also visit two schools which offer further personal interaction with local students.

Participants: This program requires highly-motivated, responsible students who can deal diplomatically with sensitive issues. Participants should also have a commitment to the use of English in all scheduled activities, including meals. (This does not mean that a very high level of English is required but rather a determination to communicate in English—and to use this opportunity as a living language opportunity.)

Dates: (Tentative) August 27-September 10, 2008.

Cost: (Estimated)

• For Japanese participants: (estimated) ¥240,000, which includes transportation (four international flights, two domestic flights, boat and chartered  buses), hotel accommodations, almost all meals, guide when necessary  and staff and support services. The program cost does not include: flight taxes and fuel surcharges, Myanmar visa cost, required travel (medical) insurance, a few meals and airport tax.
• For Taiwanese participants: (estimated) US$1385 plus cost of Taipei-Bangkok  round-trip transportation (approximately NT$8000 on KLM).

Applications: Those interested in participating in the program are
urged to submit applications now. Early applications are encouraged.
Final selection will be made in late June.

Leadership: This program is led by Dwight Clark, who first began introducing Asia to university students when he was Dean of Freshmen Men at Stanford University.  He founded VIA and served as its President for 40 years. In 2004 he started Learning Across Borders, a non-profit educational organization which offers international study programs such as this. He has led 21 study programs to Southeast Asia for Asian university students, including similar programs to Myanmar in March 2004 and September 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

For further information: Contact Dwight Clark at learningacrossborders@earthlink.net.