Thailand: Sports, Exercise, & Nutritional Sciences

More than ever, the Sports, Exercise, and Nutritional Sciences fields are in need of well-rounded professionals who have a thorough understanding of their respective fields and the ability to work collaboratively across cultures. Sports, Exercise, and Nutritional Sciences programs are designed for students who want to gain a broad interdisciplinary perspective of sports, exercise, and nutrition through a global public health lens. 

This two-week program based in Thailand is intended for undergraduate college students ages 18 and up who are studying kinesiology, sports management, public health, athletic training, biomechanics, exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology, nutrition, physical education, and fitness and health promotion, and other related fields. 


We created this program to help introduce students to global health, nutrition, and culture within the context of wellness, fitness, mindfulness, sports management, rehabilitation, and traditional healing -- students will learn from public health, fitness experts, and sports managers in formal and informal settings, and will gain a behind-the-scenes look into why Thailand is leading the way in global public health and how sports and exercise science contributes to this body of knowledge.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are no prerequisites for this program, and students from any relevant department or major may apply. Spaces for this program are limited and fill up quickly. All applications will be individually evaluated on a rolling basis.

Program Details
Starting at Chiang Mai University Department of Sports and Rehabilitation Sciences and public health, students will participate in an exchange-based workshop focused around a topic of mutual interest. Topics might include: Sports Management, Rehabilitation Sciences in Practice, Thai Traditional Healing Methods, or Wellness and Exercise Science in a Cultural-Comparative Perspective.

Observation & Volunteer Hours
If you are interested in becoming a Sports & Exercise Science or Nutrition professional, plenty of observation is essential, but a first-hand experience and inside look into these fields with an understanding of public health will set you apart from your peers. 


Itinerary
The program is divided into several different parts that are designed to help you get to know a variety of locations throughout Northern Thailand including local universities, public clinics, fitness centers, sports management institutions, and private practices. Scattered through the program are several, fun cultural activities that we think you will really enjoy such as visiting local markets, trying new foods, and riding in Thailand’s infamous Tuk Tuks. You’ll enjoy a variety of weekend activities like hiking, rock climbing, Thai cooking classes, Thai Boxing Class, and a visit to an elephant sanctuary.


Program Life

• Boutique accommodations with communal areas to relax and hang out, meeting rooms for group discussions or presentations, and comfortable rooms for getting shut-eye
• Access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western-style toilets and showers, and laundry services (laundry will be on site or nearby)
• Meals will be a combination of Thai and Western cuisine consisting of rice, curries, noodles, spicy salads, some fried foods along with fresh vegetables and exotic fruits

Benefits for Students Who Participate in this Program:

• Learn about the integration of public health and sports & exercise science
• Build your resume
• Learn about global public health, fitness, sports, exercise, and traditional medicine
• Hone your cultural responsiveness and build cross-cultural competencies
• Learn to merge practices in “developing countries” with those in the United States.
• Improve intercultural communication skills
• Gain experience as an effective observer
• Broaden understanding socio-cultural stigmas and enigmas
• Market your international experience to universities and employers alike
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills
• Engage with cross-cultural competence
• Learn about wellness and fitness management in other countries 

 
What's Included
With the exception of international airfare, our trips are all-inclusive. Your tuition covers: All activities. All materials. All meals. All housing. Everything. We want you to arrive and participate fully in the program and take advantage of each learning experience without ever thinking about how much money you are going to spend.