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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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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