Program Overview

Introduction to the Tufts Civic Semester Thailand Program

The Tufts Civic Semester Thailand program is a unique and immersive experience that focuses on indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and sustainable tourism. Through a combination of academic coursework and hands-on projects with local community organizations, students grapple with complex social issues and connect classroom discussions with real-world applications.

Program Description

The program is located in Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, which offers a rich cultural history and a living cultural heritage. Students engage with local community organizations, participate in workshops and seminars, and explore different regions of northern Thailand through excursions. The program is designed to be a holistic learning experience that combines academics, civic engagement, and personal identity.

Program Experience

The program experience includes:

• Learning from nonprofits and collectives
• Working individually or in pairs with a local organization
• Supporting daily work and completing a sustainable project
• Examples of organizations include:
  • A network dedicated to supporting indigenous women's rights
  • An organization focused on action and awareness around waste and sustainability education
  • An internationally linked collaborative supporting historically marginalized communities

Program Location

The program is located in Chiang Mai, which offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern amenities. The city is surrounded by ancient city walls and moats, and is home to over 300 Buddhist temples.

Cohort Experience

The cohort experience is central to the program, as students develop deep connections with one another and their instructors. Students live in a program house for the first half of the program, and then move to individual host families in a rural village outside of the city.

Academic Coursework

The program includes five for-credit Tufts University courses:

• SOC 50: Globalization & Social Change
• HIST 44: Introduction to History of Southeast Asia
• CVS 45: Civic Semester Pathways
• CVS 95: Community Change in Action
• ML 40: Thai Language in Context

Program Calendar and Sample Schedule

The program runs during the regular fall semester schedule, with summer courses taken before arrival in Thailand. The approximate program dates are:

• July 6 - 7: Civic Semester Orientation Part I
• July 6 - August 14: Summer courses
• mid-August: Arrive to campus for last week of classes & Civic Semester Orientation Part II
• mid to late August: Civic Semester Orientation Part II
• mid to late August: Pre-Orientation
• late August to early September: New Student Orientation
• Early September: Fly to Thailand to meet instructors and begin group programming
• September 8 - December 14: History of Southeast Asia, Community Change in Action, Thai Language in Context
• Late September: Excursion 1
• October: Shift from group organization visits to individual and small group placements
• Mid-October: Shift from shared group housing to individual host families
• Late October: Excursion 2
• Late November / early December: Excursion 3
• Early December: Students depart for home
• December 16 - 23: Final Exams
• January 20: Spring semester classes begin
• January 23 - 24: Civic Semester retreat
• Spring 2027: Monthly cohort gatherings

On-Site Staff

The program is managed by two instructors from Where There Be Dragons, an organization with over 25 years of experience in crafting and leading service experiences for students.

Health and Safety

The program prioritizes safety and risk management, with instructors supporting students with medical care and providing guidance on local safety and health risks.

Eligibility and Application

Students can apply to the program through their Tufts applicant portal after being accepted to Tufts. Finalists will be invited to a brief online interview. The application deadlines are:

• January 21, 2026: Early Decision I deadline
• February 25, 2026: Early Decision II deadline
• May 7, 2026: Final deadline

Mission

The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life studies and promotes the civic and political engagement of young people at Tufts University, in our communities, and in our democracy.