Myanmar

This experience introduces students and members of the SUNY alumni community to a unique cultural and hands-on experience in Yangon, Myanmar. In this 17-day program involving collaborative work alongside influential people, your service learning assignments could potentially lead to policy that makes a difference at the national or regional levels.

Overview

Location

Yangon, Myanmar

International Partner(s)

Free Funeral Services Society (FFSS)
What started as a non-profit organization that provided free funeral services, the F.F.S.S. has grown to offer free healthcare, free ambulatory service, organic food farming, and free education. The F.F.S.S. was founded by Burmese film director Kyaw Thu, who was awarded Asia's version of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work supporting the poor. Founded in 2001, the F.F.S.S. is headed by many prominent people in the entertainment industry.

University of Yangon
Dha Maw Da Monastery School (for students grades 1-8)

Program Leaders

John Cabra, Creative Studies
Myo Thant, Institute of Myanmar United (director)

Program Components/Costs

Overall estimate of approximately $5,200 is all-inclusive:

All accommodations are at hotels
Collaboration with teacher candidates and faculty at our partner monastery school and non-profit organization.
Burmese translators will be available should your service learning efforts require it.
Field experience working with teachers and children in Myanmar schools.
Excursions to historical/cultural sites such as Bagan, where there are over 2000 temples and stupas spreading in 16 square miles of desert like plain, the Bogyoke Aung San market, the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, the Golden Rock, and Myanmar’s Parliament buildings.
Funding and fundraising opportunities are available.

Participation

Upcoming Program

Travel: July 26 - August 11, 2020
Application Deadline: January 14, 2020

How to Apply

Complete the online Myanmar application through the International Exchange office.

Eligibility

Open to all current Buffalo State undergraduate and graduate students in teacher education and other disciplines
Must maintain good academic standing
Must be able to obtain a passport

Questions?

Email John Cabra
Email Myo Thant

Participant Blogs

Follow Myanmar participants as they experience life abroad.

Informative Links

Myanmar United

Brochures

About the Program

Benefits to Teacher Candidates and Teachers:

Make a difference in the lives of children.
Learn about another country’s geography, history, culture, education system, and teaching approaches.
A service-learning abroad experience will introduce you to new teachers who can expose you to new viewpoints beyond your campus, and a diverse student body that can introduce you to different customs and cultures.
Learn how to teach teachers how to teach creatively.
Learn through the service learning experiences of your other classmates and alumni from various disciplines.
Your work can potentially help inform local policies to advance change in education

Other Benefits and Considerations:

The Myanmar experience leads to a better appreciation of the complexity and challenges, as well as the opportunities, of life in the 21st century.
Strengthen your résumé through this life-changing experience.
No Burmese speaking skills required.
Broaden your knowledge and experience through adapting to life and work in a different community and culture.
Become internationally minded in the sense of embracing the things that unite us, while immersing yourself and exploring the local culture.