Undergraduate Global Studies Courses 2011-12

BMGT 469T: Doing Business in Thailand: Social Value Creation and Entrepreneurship

Term Departure from US on Monday, May 21, 2012
Last Scheduled activity on Friday, June 1, 2012
Destination(s) Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and surrounding areas, Thailand
Professor Melissa Carrier
Anticipated program fee $2750
Register Click here to register

Thailand is fast becoming a breeding ground for social entrepreneurs. Internet cafes and computer gaming centers line every major street in Bangkok. Thailand’s generation of innovators is no stranger to technology, and they are using it to create businesses that address societal, cultural, economic and environmental issues. During this global immersion, students will have the chance to meet some of these dynamic individuals and their organizations.

This course will examine innovative approach to poverty reduction, sustainable development and social value creation in Thailand. For example, we will visit with Thailand’s Mechai Viravaidya who became famous by tackling cultural social stigmas about AIDS in the 1990s. He was so successful in changing the culture and educating the general population that infection rates were reduced almost by 90%; he won worldwide praise for his efforts and was winner of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2007 Health Award. We will also meet with ChangeFusion, a social innovation design and investment service organization with a specific focus on catalyzing high-impact, scalable and sustainable social innovations and social enterprises.

A key aspect of this trip is working on a business consulting project with select social enterprises – giving you an unparalleled insider view of Thailand while you develop new skills. We’ll save time for a trip to a Thai elephant sanctuary where it may be possible to see and hold a baby elephant and finish our trip on the beach at the Birds and Bees Resort.

What you can expect:

  • Engage with Thailand’s exploding social innovation sector
  • Experience rare wildlife at a Thai elephant sanctuary
  • Immerse yourself in the culture and landscape of Southeast Asia

This course is being led by the Center for Social Value Creation.

The global immersion experiences are three-credit courses and typically meet degree requirements (advanced studies requirement of the University, BMGT major requirements, electives, etc,). Some courses may be eligible to fulfill major-specific requirements (confirm with your Smith School academic advisor). Students are expected to attend pre-departure meetings and complete the required readings prior to departure. The course has a comprehensive set of readings required of all participants regardless of course registration. Additional readings are assigned based on type of course registration. Mandatory pre-departure meetings will be scheduled.

Learn more about Thailand. Join Thailand Focus, a weekly newsletter by the Royal Thai Embassy

The Winter 2012 program fee is $2750.

Included: UMD tuition, UMD $250 Education Abroad fee, lodging, 1-2 meals, any required cultural activities, likely travel within the country (to be announced).

Not included: personal expenses, most meals, trip insurance and international airfare.

Students are advised to purchase refundable tickets and travel insurance to counter any inconvenience caused by a change in the program's itinerary. Once admitted, you should expect to purchase the flight for the program a few weeks later, usually in mid-October.

Payment information

The program fee is divided into four separate charges that are applied to your account over the course of the fall semester:

  1. A non-refundable $50 application fee is due at the time of application.
  2. Upon admission, student account is charged a $250 non-refundable deposit. Applicants understand that if admitted to the program, they are responsible for paying this deposit, which is non-refundable under any circumstances.
  3. UMD $250 Study Abroad Fee.
  4. The remaining balance will be due upon registration.

All four charges add up to the published program fee.