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February 16, Tuesday |
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Depart for Bangkok. Transfer from Bangkok Airport via
chartered bus to Asia Hotel. D |
February 17, Wednesday |
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Visit some of Bangkok’s most revered sites, including
the Royal Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. After lunch: a
briefing by UNICEF staff on their efforts to protect children
from the dangers of HIV-AIDS, trafficking and other abuse. B, L |
February 18, Thursday |
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Lecture on Thailand’s current political and economic
situation by Prof. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Institute for Security
and International Studies, Chulalongkorn University. Informal
meeting, lunch and campus tour with Chulalongkorn students.
Afternoon session with Burma Issues staff on human rights
of Burma’s ethnic groups. B |
February 19, Friday |
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Exploration of the NGO community in Thailand. We
look at the “underside” of Bangkok life through
the work of the Human Development Foundation in the Klong
Toey slum. The staff of Ashoka Foundation explains
how they find, encourage and support “social entrepreneurs” in
the region. B |
February 20, Saturday |
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Depart Bangkok for Ta Kha village in Samut Songkram province.
We’ll observe life in the floating market and meet
our village hosts, with whom we’ll stay overnight. B,
L, D |
February 21, Sunday |
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In the early morning, we join the
village custom of offering food to monks in order to make
Buddhist merit. After breakfast, we learn the process of
producing coconut sugar—the main local industry. This
is a day to appreciate the pace of life in rural Thailand. B,
L, D |
February 22, Monday |
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We say goodbye to our village hosts and travel to Bangkok
Airport. A late- afternoon flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Transfer to Corus Hotel. B, D |
February 23, Tuesday |
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Morning meeting with staff of the Women’s Aid Organisation,
an NGO which protects the rights of women and foreign workers.
Afternoon briefing on Japan’s policy in the region
at the Japanese Embassy by Ambassador Masahiko Horie. B |
February 24, Wednesday |
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This day is spent on the campus of Universiti Tunku Abdul
Rahman. In the morning, Prof. Stephen Leong surveys Malaysia’s
recent history and its place in the world. We meet with students
and join them for lunch. In the afternoon, Prof. Oai Pent
Chia, Director of the Centre for China Studies, speaks of
China and Malaysia’s ethnic echinese people. B, D |
February 25, Thursday |
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We travel to a nature preserve to trek in Malaysia’s
rainforest—an opportunity to understand firsthand this
important Southeast Asia feature and resource. Lunch during
jungle hike. Late afternoon return to Kuala Lumpur.B,
L |
February 26, Friday |
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A day to explore new media. In the morning, we meet with
the staff of al Jazeera’s Asia broadcast center to
learn how they bring a new, non-Western approach to news
through their satellite channel. In the afternoon, the founders
of malaysiakini explain how they have tapped the power of
the internet to create an alternative newspaper. Rest of
day free. B |
February 27, Saturday. |
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The group travels by chartered bus to Malacca (Melaka)
and explore the historical importance of this centuries-old
trading port. In the evening, we join students of Melaka
Manipal Medical College for dinner and casual talk. Overnight
in City Bayview Hotel. B, L, D |
February 28, Sunday |
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After breakfast, the group continues through the Malaysian
countryside by chartered bus to Peninsula Hotel, Singapore.
Informal exploration of Orchard Road area. B |
March 1, Monday |
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Briefing on Singapore’s role in international trade
and economics by Mr. Phillip Overmyer, Executive Director
of Singapore International Chamber of Commerce. Afternoon:
informal campus tour and conversation with students of National
University of Singapore (NUS). B |
March 2, Tuesday |
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Cherian George, one of the foremost commentators on contemporary
Singapore and professor, School of Communication and Information,
Nanyang Technological University, explores with us what makes
Singapore “different”. Afternoon free. Evening
reception (in a local home) with a diverse international
group of people working in Singapore. B |
March 3, Wednesday |
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Morning: Lecture by Prof. Toru Nomura of Keio University,
followed by last group reflection session. Free afternoon
for final exploration of Singapore. Final group dinner. B,
D |
March 4, Thursday |
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Early-morning transfer to airport for flight back home. B,
L |
This schedule is tentative and thus may change. |
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner |
Applications are found at www.learning-across-borders.org.
Application deadline: November 27, 2009. Early applications are strongly
encouraged. |
Travel agency: |
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Nissin Travel Service Co. Ltd., Kyodo Building, Kudan
1 Go-Kan, 1-5-5 Kudan-minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074. |
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Phone: 03-5210-5772. Fax: 03-5210-5768. |
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General Travel Agency license no. 463. Agent in charge
of program: Mr. Kazumi Hamamoto. |
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