The Golden LandGS15MyanmarGLOBAL STUDIESSponsorMat<strong>the</strong>w LaurenceDarin FahrneyPriceS$3,200Course Length8 daysPost-<strong>Interim</strong> Experience:Parent’s night / OnlineReflectionsDescriptionMyanmar, formerly known as Burma, is also called <strong>the</strong> Golden Land. It is saidthat in every direction one faces in this country, gold-covered pagodas andmonuments can be seen. As one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earliest homes <strong>of</strong> mankind, Myanmar<strong>of</strong>fers many unique opportunities to travellers. The underlying context <strong>of</strong>this trip is about student’s finding <strong>the</strong>ir place in an ever changing worldthrough <strong>the</strong>ir reflections <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir travels in Myanmar.To visit <strong>the</strong> many beautiful sights within Myanmar, one has to spend manyhours travelling by land, sea and air. This course will entail several domesticflights, trekking through <strong>the</strong> countryside, scenic and sometimes extendeddrives and even some small boat tours. Myanmar-The Golden Land, featuresvarious types <strong>of</strong> activities such as trekking, exploring/visiting temples, hot airballooning, boat racing and unique photo opportunities. Accommodationswill range from hotels to sleeping in a monastery. The activities will enable<strong>the</strong> group to communicate with <strong>the</strong> local population, experience <strong>the</strong> food,observe picturesque environments and bond with peers. Students who wantto experience interesting cultures, adventure, dramatic sights and remainopen-minded and flexible, will enjoy this course.Note: Due to <strong>the</strong> trekking, water, driving and hot air ballooning components <strong>of</strong> thiscourse, students with asthma, a heart condition, motion sickness, or fears <strong>of</strong> water orheights should consult with <strong>the</strong>ir physician or reconsider signing up for this course.Objectives• Students will uncover <strong>the</strong> mystery <strong>of</strong> Myanmar by conducting a deepstudy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> culture in an area <strong>of</strong> interest <strong>the</strong>y are passionate about.• Understanding <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> a globalized world on a traditional society(viewed through religious, economic, political and cultural lenses).Requirements• Students will attend and participate fully in all scheduled meetings andactivities.• Students will research an assigned destination <strong>of</strong> travel and present to<strong>the</strong> group, before or during <strong>the</strong> course.• Students will keep a daily journal during <strong>the</strong> course.• Students will create and present an au<strong>the</strong>ntic final project associatedwith <strong>the</strong>ir area <strong>of</strong> deep study in Myanmar.• Students must submit all forms and paperwork that applies to <strong>the</strong>course. Late paperwork could result in a student’s inability to get aMyanmar Visa.46 interim semester HANDBOOKSINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL
Culture, Contrast and ChallengeGS16North Island,New ZealandGLOBAL STUDIESSponsorMeredith WhiteBart MillarPriceS$3,400Course Length7 daysPost-<strong>Interim</strong> Experience:Parent’s night / OnlineReflectionsDescriptionWho are <strong>the</strong> Maori people, what are <strong>the</strong>ir traditions and how do <strong>the</strong>ymaintain <strong>the</strong>ir beliefs in a changing world? In North Island New Zealand:Culture, Contrast and Challenge, students will experience this rich culturefirst-hand by living on a Marae, learning to dance <strong>the</strong> haka, engaging inarts such as weaving and waiata and preparing and sharing in <strong>the</strong> Hangitraditional meal. They will paddle waka canoes – <strong>the</strong> traditional Maoritransportation – and contrast this experience by engaging in more modernNew Zealand activities such as whitewater rafting, sailing and luge. Not onlywill students learn <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> educational, political and economic challengesfaced by <strong>the</strong> Maori, <strong>the</strong>y will also challenge <strong>the</strong>mselves through outdooractivity and communal living. Students will gain an overall appreciation forindigenous culture, <strong>the</strong> New Zealand landscape and <strong>the</strong>ir fellow travellers.Upon arrival in Auckland, we journey to <strong>the</strong> Firth <strong>of</strong> Thames and soak in<strong>the</strong> Hot Pools, a reminder <strong>of</strong> New Zealand’s volcanic origins. The nextmorning we travel to Whakatane to paddle waka canoes and participatein Maori cultural activities, <strong>the</strong>n travel to Roimata Marae, where we willvisit a Maori immersion elementary school, learn traditional Maori arts andcrafts and help <strong>the</strong> tribal elders prepare our hangi meal. We end <strong>the</strong> dayon Te Motu Island with a camp-out under <strong>the</strong> stars. On our fourth day, wetake on a grade 3-4 whitewater rafting challenge on <strong>the</strong> Rangitaiki Riverand <strong>the</strong>n continue on to Rotorua to enjoy more geo<strong>the</strong>rmal hot pools. We<strong>the</strong>n head <strong>of</strong>f for a morning <strong>of</strong> Rotorua’s best <strong>of</strong>ferings – a Maori museum,<strong>the</strong>rmal geysers, boiling mud pools, kiwi birds and carving/weaving schools– <strong>the</strong>n contrast this with <strong>the</strong> more modern New Zealand adventure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>downhill luge. We revisit Maori traditions tourist-style via an evening culturalperformance and meal and <strong>the</strong>n take a nocturnal stroll to find glow worms.Our final day in New Zealand is spent engaged in a popular Kiwi pastime,sailing a 54-foot catamaran – a contrast to our earlier waka experience. Abrisk lake swim and a last soak in a <strong>the</strong>rmal pool remind us <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> beautyand power <strong>of</strong> nature and <strong>the</strong> lifestyle contrasts between New Zealand andSingapore.Objectives• To analyze past and current Maori socio-political challenges andcompare <strong>the</strong>m with those <strong>of</strong> indigenous people in o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>world.• To recognize and value <strong>the</strong> tradition and protocol by staying in a Marae,<strong>the</strong> powerful communal center <strong>of</strong> Maori life.• To contrast both <strong>the</strong> past/present Maori experience with <strong>the</strong>indigenous/ settler experience by engaging in targeted, handsonactivities and outdoor physical activities and visiting a local Maoriimmersion elementary school.RequirementsPre-Course requirements:• Obtain a physical examination and medical clearance to allow fullengagement in some vigorous outdoor activity.• Create and present a multimedia report on one aspect <strong>of</strong> Maori history,geography, or culture.Post-Course requirements:• Contribute to post-course blog and Parent Night.• Write an essay syn<strong>the</strong>sizing your course and personal experienceregarding culture, contrast and challenge.SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL interim semester HANDBOOK 47