FAQs for the Thailand Program

Is it safe?

Yes.  Thailand has long been regarded as a safe destination.  However, in recent years, Bangkok has had occasional demonstrations, some of them violent.  Though Bangkok has returned to its usual calm, the entire program can be moved to Chiang Mai if Bangkok poses any safety concerns.  In any event, LAB programs are held only in places which are regarded as quite safe.

Is a visa required?

Japanese do not require a visa;  Myanmar students do.

Do I need to get any inoculations or take any other health precautions?

No.

What about additional costs?

Besides the program fee and the airline fare plus airline fuel surcharge, airport tax and agency fee, there are few costs—mainly some meals (which can be quite cheap in Thailand) and occasional local transportation.

Who will be participating in the program?  Half of the students will be from Myanmar and half from Japan.  The Myanmar students are members of the Pre-Collegiate Program, a highly-regarded one-year program which prepares motivated and talented students for university study abroad, usually in the U.S.   The Japanese students typically are from Keio University and the University of Tokyo, though students from other universities are welcomed as well.

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).