Study Abroad: Urbanization of the East

Study Abroad: Urbanization of the East

Study Abroad 2025

Urbanization of the East: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand

Explore Saigon, Siem Reap, and Bangkok!

Sign up sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rdKNbNnuuADdG3M_oHBSr-RW8SNrjpdTIOywhh2m42k/edit#gid=0 

Table of Contents

Program Description

This 2025 Study Abroad Program will unfold in three countries and three cities within them: Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon), Cambodia (Siem Reap), and Thailand (Bangkok).  This trip will introduce students to Southeast Asia, a part of the world that plays a significant role in globalization via manufacturing output, has had and continues to have incredible geopolitical importance (especially Vietnam, given its proximity to China and coastline along the South China Sea), and cultural inputs that are sometimes unknown or underappreciated to students in the U.S. and Europe.  The Southeast Asian Realm has been colonized, militarized, and globalized, all of which matters for the present-day articulation of the space and people, including this study abroad (which involves helping students adopt a lens of study informed by the global south).  Students will learn about processes of colonization in the region and more broadly, how resistance was implemented, and what these historical events and processes mean for today.  Students will study the legacy of not only European involvement, but that of other Asian countries and the legacy of the tragic U.S. war in Vietnam.  Students will study globalization by comparing the different cities that we visit, including the first site which is Ho Chi Minh City and the financial center of Vietnam.  Finally, students will learn about the natural beauty of the region as well as of the culture, including the many contributions that flow from this part of the world. 

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the major features of the Southeast Asian realm, including both physical/natural and cultural systems.

2. Analyze how the regional and local environments support specific cultures and ways of life in this part of the world.

3. Identify the impact of capitalist economic systems (especially global trade and manufacturing) on the urbanization in Southeast Asia, utilizing a comparative urban analysis framework.

4. Identify the impact of colonial processes, including historical geopolitical strategies and U.S. military interventions, in each country and city visited.

5. Adopt a "global south" critical lens to studying urbanization and economy throughout the study abroad, beginning with a critique of this program's title.


Watch the Informational Video on this Study Abroad 

Info Session Slides: _docs/geography/urbanization-east-info-session-slides.pdf

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Fly overnight to Vietnam
  • Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
    • Meet your Field Director at the airport
  • Day 3: Ben Duoc - Ho Chi Minh City
    • Journey into the Mekong Delta during a full-day excursion:
    • Explore the village of Cai Be
    • River boat waterway cruise
  • Day 4: Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh City
    • Learn about guerilla fighting tactics during a guided tour of the Củ Chi Tunnels
    • Take an excursion to Ben Duoc
    • See the Viet Cong tunnel system
    • Visit the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum
  • Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap
    • Fly to Siem Reap
    • Meet your Cambodian Field Director at the airport
  • Day 6: Siem Reap
    • Visit Angkor Wat temple complex
    • Visit Angkor Thom temple complex
    • Elephant Terrace
    • Terrace of the Leper King
    • Beyon Temple
    • Enjoy a cultural dance show
  • Day 7: Siem Reap
    • Visit Ta Prohm and Preah Khan temples
    • Take an excursion to Tonle Sap Lake and floating fishing village
  • Day 8: Siem Reap - Bangkok
    • Travel by bus to Bangkok
    • Meet your Thai Field Director upon entry to Thailand
  • Day 9: Bangkok
    • Take a guided tour of Bangkok
      • Boat tour of Chao Phraya River and Thonburi klongs
      • Grand Palace
      • Temple of the Emerald Buddha
    • Enjoy a Thai dinner and classical dances
  • Day 10: Bangkok
    • Take an excursion to Ayutthaya
    • Visit the Summer Palace of King Rama IV 
    • Return to Bangkok by boat
  • Day 11: Depart for home
  EARLIEST REQUESTED LATEST
DEPARTURE Thu, May 15 Thu, May 15 Sun, May 18
RETURN Sun, May 25 Sun, May 25 Wed, May 28

Date Range: EF Study Abroad will manage all of our logistics, including travel.  They provide a date range for the trip to make sure they get us the best airline rates possible.  The range for this trip is potential departure on May 15, 2025 and potential return on May 25, 2025.  It is possible, however, that the departure could be moved later by a few days.  The latest possible return date could be May 28, 2025.  So, you must plan to be available for the entire range from May 15, 2025 to May 28, 2025. 

We will know the specific departure date and return date in the Spring of 2025. However, those dates will be within the range of “earliest” and “latest” dates provided above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What course should I take?

Student Type Course Number Course Name
 Undergraduate  GEOG 16250 (3 s.h.)   ST: Study Abroad: Urban East
 Graduate   GEOG 16550 (3 s.h.)  ST: Study Abroad: Urban East

*The course will begin as a late start course on February 3, 2025.

**The course will meet approximately 7 times (every other week) on zoom on Tuesday evenings, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:15 p.m.

***All students will receive university credit for taking the course. Students who are within a major in the Department of Geography, Planning, & Sustainability may receive program credit if needed. All non-GPS majors must get approval from their program for program requirement credit..

Who is helping us with planning?

Our Partner: EF Study Abroad (Education First):

  • Facilitated a 2024 Study Abroad with 25 Rowan students led by Dr. Keenan
  • World leader in international education
  • More than 1 million students experience their programs each year
  • 55+ years of experience
  • 600+ schools & offices in 114 countries
  • Organizes all travel logistics and details for an all-inclusive experience
  • Expert in safety, experiential learning, and building incredible study abroad programs
  • Proven safety record during COVID

Safety Measures

EF is among the first recipients of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels Stamp, certifying that EF adheres to strict safety and hygiene protocols.

EF provides our group with:

  • 24/7 Personal Tour Director
  • Local presence and safety teams in country
  • 24-hour emergency line & real-time incident response
  • Enhanced safety measures and protocols to align with COVID standards
  • Peace of Mind policy included for all travelers
  • Additional support and safety policies

How much does this cost?

$5,829 (includes air fare, hotel costs, all program-related travel within each city, and most meals). This price is based on 15-19 students participating in the study abroad. The overall price will reduce by $300 if 20 or more students attend. Greater numbers of students will lower the price paid per student. There are also some Rowan University related study abroad fees and students will need spending money while abroad.

NOTE: Students are allowed to purchase their own plane tickets to and from Southeast Asia.  This is known as the “Personal Travel Option,” and a student must arrange this option with the logistics provider, EF Tours.  If you do select this option, the overall price of the program reduces to $3,550 for students and $4,090 for adults.  That price would include all program activities, hotels, and meals, but not the flights.

Scholarships

There are scholarships available through both Rowan University and EF Tours. Please follow the links below to learn more about scholarships:

Important Dates

Information Sessions:

All information sessions are conducted on zoom and present the same information.

Spring 25 Semester

  • January 4, 2025 – Complete the Rowan application, linked here: https://sites.rowan.edu/international/educationabroad/application.html
    • January 4th is the absolute latest you can apply.  However, you should start your application well before this date.
  • Work with your academic advisor upon admission to the program in mid- to late-January to register for the course, which begins on 2/4/25.
  • February 1, 2025 – Personal Travel Requests (land only option)
    • You are allowed to travel to Southeast Asia on your own, and to stay later.  If you wish to do that, you must alert EF Tours no later than 1/24.  If you select this option, the cost of air fare will be deducted from your overall cost.
  • February 1, 2025 – Enrollment deadline
    • You must have your passport by this date.  There are no extensions past this date.
    • You must complete your enrollment with EF Tours by this date. You complete your enrollment on their web site, which is available at the following location: https://www.efstudyabroad.com/professors-trip/2585694CS 
    • If you select manual payment, then the full cost of the trip will be due at this time.
    • If you select automatic payment, you will be billed in regular intervals for the trip.  The final payment will be due 30 days before departure.
  • February 4, 2025 – attend the first class on Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom.
  • March 15, 2025 – Rowan University’s Application Phase II is due.
  • April 2025 – Pre-Departure Meetings (specific dates TBD)
  • May 2025 – Leave for an exciting and educational trip to great countries and cities Southeast Asia

Q&A

The linked google doc provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H3F07HTFnrX-D0TYiBVwDqkErus--vQv6RYeSPYd9kg/edit?usp=sharing

If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Keenan.

What to do next?

Sign up in the Google Doc with your email.  Dr. Keenan will stay connected with all who show interest.

Signing up DOES NOT mean you are committing to the trip. It means you will receive announcements from Dr. Keenan in the Fall semester regarding how to formally enroll. ​

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rdKNbNnuuADdG3M_oHBSr-RW8SNrjpdTIOywhh2m42k/edit#gid=0 

Have questions? Contact Dr. Keenan at keenankp@rowan.edu or (856) 256-4231.