Chaing Mai University

We are now in Chaing Mai, on the last leg of our trip. We had an uneventful flight from Trang to Bangkok, and then on to Chaing Mai. Many of us though had to pay a price for all the shopping we've been doing, with overweight baggage fees. Luckily most of us avoided fees on the second leg of the flight thanks to Fernando who found us a place in the airport to check our heavier bags, so we'd only have to take our lighter ones with us.

As soon as bags hit the floor in the hotel, we were all out the door to explore the wonders of Chaingmai. We are fortunate to be literally across the street from the famed Night Bizzare - a bargain hunter's dream come true. Family members, be forwarned!

This morning we had a wonderful visit to the Medical School at Chaing Mai University. Dr. Gracy, our VP for Research at UTSA, has connections with the University here, which made our visit possible. We were hosted by Dr. Pornngarm Limtrakul, Chair of the Biochemistry Department.

At first, many of our students wondered what we, as students from the College of Education, could learn from visiting a medical school. But after the first presentaton by their faculty, it all became clear. They described to us, and then showed us, how they had made the transition from traditional teaching to problem based learning, and thus revolutionized their program. We got to see their mock doctor examination rooms where med students practice with pretend patients, all while being monitored via camera by their professors. We also were shown the small group discussion rooms where students meet to discuss and solve problems in a manner not just possible in the large lecture halls.

Later, in our visit to the Anatomy Department, we got a graphic close up view of hands-on-learning in action: We watched a three medical students, under the supervision and guidance of their professor, remove the stomach of a cadaver. Before we entered the room with the cadavers, Dr. Pornngarm joked with us, "there are no ghosts, just bodies." Before the cadaver room, we went through an anatomy teaching room that was essentially a museum of real body parts - male and female reproductive systems, the nervous system, the uninary tract, the cardiovascular system, and a few stray hands and feet.

I believe we all left with a deep gratitude for the majors we have selected for ourselves, with less gruesome class projects and assignments. But we also left with a deep respect and awe for the medical field and what students learn in medical school. Most of all, we left feeling very privledged to have had this experience. None of us have ever had the opportunity to have a tour of a medical school in the U.S. We are very grateful to Dr. Pornngarm and the other faculty and students we have the privilege to meet with. They were wonderful hosts, and we learned a great deal, not only about medicine, but about education.

After our visit, Chaing Mai University provided us with vans to visit a famous ancient temple at the top of a long winding hill. We were accompanied by Dr. Chantri Ngamkitidechakul, a lecturer in the Biochemsty department, and three doctoral students from Dr. Pornngarm's research lab. From the parking lot, the temple was an additional 300 + steps up the steep hill. Some of us wimped out and took the elevator, while others braved the climb. The view from the temple was spectacular, as was the massive golden stuppa at the center of the mountain top. The surrounding ornate temples and other religious artifacts made for peaceful moments.

We are grateful for this opportunity to visit Chaing Mai and are struck at how different it is from Bangkok, Trang, and the rural areas we have been working in. This is a gorgeous city.