Assistant Professor University of Florida Gainesville, Florida
The western hemisphere is home to only one honey bee species, but all other honey bee species can be found in southeast Asia. The University of Florida’s Beekeeping in Thailand study abroad program gave students the opportunity to discover the amazing diversity of honey bee species and the different ways in which beekeepers manage them. For four weeks, students embarked on many excursions and cultural activities which allowed them to experience a different culture with their own unique challenges and thought processes. While many beekeeping related issues were similar to those in North America, there were different management techniques used to mitigate these issues. Understanding why beekeepers came to these different conclusions with the same problems increased students' global perspective. Further, our excursions deep in the field searching for honey bee nests allowed students to be immersed in the Thai landscape and culture, away from the tourist attractions. Through reflection activities and class discussions, students were asked to reflect on their intercultural learning, critical thinking, intercultural communication and self-awareness competencies. Students reported meaningful growth in these competencies as a result from their experiences in Thailand. Although intense preparation for the study abroad program is required of faculty, no foreign travel ever goes exactly according to plan. This study abroad program was also a learning experience for involved faculty, teaching them lessons in coordination, preparation and flexibility.
