FAQs for the Burma/Myanmar Program
Is it safe?
The areas that we travel to—Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan—are considered quite safe. Past participants will tell you that they felt quite comfortable while there. Despite its reputation for an authoritarian government, one sees very few policemen or soldiers in Myanmar (actually, you’ll see many more Buddhist monks than police or soldiers). There are parts of the country which are not safe but foreigners are not allowed in those areas; in any event, they are far from the places which our group visits.
Are visas required?
Yes. Depending on current regulations, members will obtain a Myanmar visa either during our Bangkok stop or upon arrival at Yangon airport. Taiwan participants will also need a visa for Thailand.
Do I need to get any inoculations or take any other health precautions?
No.
What about additional costs?
Besides the program fee, there are the following: airline fuel surcharge and tax (this charge is not included because it changes from month to month—in the past it has averaged about ¥10,000); travel health insurance (several levels of coverage are available); and several meals (which you’ll find to be quite low in cost). Virtually all of your necessary expenses are included in the program fee.
What kind of hotels do we stay in?
Our hotels are chosen on the basis of safety, location and cost. All of the hotels have been used by past groups; they are not expensive hotels but have been regarded by participants as safe and comfortable.
Who will be participating in the program?
Most participants will be Japanese undergraduates (typically from Keio and the University of Tokyo, though students from other universities are welcomed). Usually several students from National Taiwan University’s Political Science Department join the program. In addition, several Thai students from Chulalongkorn University participate in the Yangon portion of the schedule. Each year, the group usually includes one or more graduate students or interested people who graduated some time ago and are now working. Occasionally there is a student from the U.S. or Europe. The program seeks a diverse group of participants as so much of the learning takes place within the group.
What level of English is required?
The entire program will be conducted in English since this will be the only common language of everyone we’ll be talking with. Thus, the program requires students who feel comfortable (or brave!) in speaking in English; perfect grammar is not important—but the willingness to communicate with others and participate in discussions is important. The program attracts students who want to improve their English ability through a total immersion in English; thus, it is not unusual to find a Japanese speaking privately with another Japanese in English.
Who provides Learning Across Borders (LAB) leadership?
Dwight Clark continues to lead each LAB program. He began his career as Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University and then founded Volunteers in Asia (now called VIA) which is based at Stanford. Upon retirement from VIA, he created LAB as a means of promoting cross-cultural education and understanding.
LAB also relies on the leadership of Shugo Yanaka (Keio) who participates in many programs and organizes its alumni activities. His career includes roles in consulting/business management, media and education. Max Erdstein (Stanford), former Google executive and now scholar/practitioner of Buddhism, has served as faculty on several programs.
LAB also calls on the advice and service of many active members, including Yukiko Imanaka (Keio), Asumi Nonomiya (Keio), Daichi Hirose (Keio), Yasumasa Yamamoto (Keio), Kenta Minami (Oxford/Cambridge), Sotaro Hata (Keio), Shun Ito (Keio) and Takafumi Yamada (Tokyo).