Myanmar Program – Cultural Introduction

Due to political instability within the country, our Myanmar program is on hold this year.

Explore “Asia’s last frontier”— a nation which reflects so many of the challenging political and social issues affecting rapidly-changing nations.

Myanmar stands at the crossroads between China and India and draws upon a rich history and culture. Visitors find warm, welcoming people.

For the interested student of political science, social change, development and economics, Myanmar offers an instant education in global realities — a direct exposure to the political, economic and social struggles found in many parts of the world.

At first I was so uneasy but enjoyed the program a lot!! It is so good that my first trip to foreign countries is this program to Myanmar.

What we do to create a deeper learning experience

LAB participants are introduced to the country through face-to-face sessions with NGO and UN staff, think-tank analysts and diplomats of their own country.

Just as importantly, local students from the Pre-Collegiate Program guide us in small groups to the centers of daily life, from local markets to upscale malls and from urban slums to bright new apartment buildings. University graduates in Parami Institute’s leadership seminar speak of the challenges of leading their country to a brighter future. These students become our “instant friends” and cultural informants; they show us the warm, informal side of this complex society.

Through group reflection sessions, our international group of Japanese, Taiwanese and Thai members use our varied cultural backgrounds to make sense what we witness each day.

Since English is the one common language of all participants, it’s the official language of the program. “Perfect” English isn’t required but the willingness to use it—however imperfectly—is important. For many participants, this constant exposure to English is one of the most valuable learning experiences, just as friendships made within this group become personal treasures.

  • Meet with NGO and UN staff and activists who are involved with the country’s problems and work to overcome them
  • Engage in deep discussion about program experiences and learnings through group reflection sessions
  • Travel with a select group of motivated Japanese, Taiwanese and Thai students
  • Discuss and engage with others in English throughout the program
  • program images
  • program images

How to prepare

Our participants bring the following tools to maximize their learning experience

  • An open, inquiring mind
  • Some reading and other preparation beforehand
  • Enough English to communicate effectively, as it is our only common language within our group and among those with whom we meet. (Note: Perfect English isn’t required but enough to understand and to be understood—and the bravery required to use it.)
Probably this LAB was the most exciting, best experience I had in my life. Not probably, but definitely! 
Yes!!

Our typical journey

  • Day 1

    Departure for Yangon. Taiwanese and Thai students travel independently. Japanese members depart on a group flight. Transfer to Panorama Hotel.

  • Day 2

    Morning: orientation session with all members. Lunch with Pre-Collegiate Program students followed by a visit to Yangon’s satellite village, Dala, across the river where many of the city’s poorer workers live. After dinner, local students guide us through Shwedagon Pagoda, the most important single religious and historical site in the country.

  • Day 3

    Pre-Collegiate Program students guide our entry into their society in small groups to local markets, NGOs where they volunteer, the colonial heritage area in which our hotel is located, and other sites usually unknown to visitors.

  • Day 4

    An exploration of creative entrepreneurship in a developing country, including: the activities of an innovation lab to speed and expand the country’s start-up culture; the role of micro-finance in empowering citizens, especially women; the role of NGOs in bringing efficiencies and growth to farm families.

  • Day 5

    Full day at Parami Institute with the 32 students of its leadership program. Included: a joint session with Parami students and Aung Naing Ko, founder of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and a frequent negotiator between the Myanmar government and separate ethnic groups.

  • Day 6

    Morning session with staff of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Afternoon briefings by diplomats at Japan Embassy or Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

  • Day 7

    Deeper small-group exploration of Yangon with Pre-Collegiate Program students.

  • Day 8

    Final reflection session. Rest of day free for personal exploration.

  • Day 9

    Departure. Taiwanese and Thai students travel independently. Japanese students depart on group flight arriving at Haneda in the early morning of September 9

  • This schedule represents an example of our typical program schedule. Actual schedule may be subject to change.