Participants will enroll in a six-credit block international experience, which begins in the fall semester with an on-campus course titled “The Biology of Coffee: Botany Physiology, and Sustainability.” After spending the semester learning the basic anatomy and physiology of coffee plants, human physiological responses to caffeine, and challenges of sustainable coffee production, students will take their knowledge abroad and conclude the experience with a two-week intensive course conducted entirely in Thailand. The course emphasizes not only ecological and agronomic aspects of coffee production but also the social, political, and economic dynamics that shape sustainability outcomes in Thailand. Students will analyze the roles of farmers, cooperatives, local administration, private companies, and the Thai government in supporting or constraining sustainable practices.
Learn more about Sustainable Coffee Production in Thailand
Study in Thailand will take place December 28, 2026 - January 10, 2027.*
Please note that this program includes a joint enrollment with BIOL-B 221 “The Biology of Coffee: Botany Physiology, and Sustainability” during fall 2026 and HON-H251 "Hutton Honors Study Abroad" during the 2026-2027 winter session (counts towards spring 2027 enrollment) for a total of 6 credits. BIOL-B 211 fulfills the IU Natural and Mathematical Sciences General Education requirement and HON-H251 carries IU World Culture General Education credit.
*All travel dates are tentative and subject to international travel restrictions.
April 8, 2026
| 11:30am-12:30pm HHC Room 111 |
Course Title: BIOL-B221: The Biology of Coffee: Botany, Physiology, and Sustainability & HON-H251: Sustainable Coffee Production in Thailand
Academic Director & Instructor: David M. Kehoe
Syllabus Description:
The global impact of coffee production and consumption is massive and worldwide. Coffee is one of the top 10 most-traded commodities in the world, and approximately 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily worldwide. Its impact on global warming is significant: producing one pound of roasted coffee is estimated to produce about 20 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Coffee production has grown by 60% in the last 30 years, and the current global expansion of coffee farming is predominantly occurring in Southeast Asia. This two-week Winter Break course focuses on understanding and analyzing the biological and social factors that contribute to the carbon emissions generated by coffee production, from farm to cup, building on knowledge gain from the Hutton Honors student course BIOL B211, "The Biology of Coffee: Botany, Physiology, and Sustainability" offered each Fall Semester.
This course will be held in Chiang Mai and the surrounding areas of northern Thailand, which are at the epicenter of Asia's booming coffee expansion. In this region, individual farmers, corporate, and government interests are being melded to produce an astonishing variety of approaches to coffee production. Virtually every type of coffee production can be found within a 100-mile radius of Chiang Mai. Some of these are extremely damaging to the environment and not sustainable while others serve as excellent examples of best practices. In addition, Chiang Mai is the home of the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI), a recognized leader in innovative study abroad programs designed to educate American students about key issues in ecology, culture, and sustainability through close collaborations with local communities. Led by ISDSI, our excursions throughout the Chiang Mai region will provide deep experiential learning about how Thai people view sustainable agricultural practices as well as other features of Thai culture and daily life, contextualizing them in a way that is simply not possible through scholarly study alone.
Excursions in Thailand can include visits to Three Kings Monument, Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Nimmanhaemin and various visits to farms or companies for field-observations, tastings, or demonstrations.
Participants will stay in centrally located hotels or apartments in Chiang Mai. The accommodations are conveniently located near shops, restaurants, classroom space and program excursions sites.
Program Fee - $2,600*
The program fee includes accommodation in Thailand, most meals, transportation to and from all excursion sites, required entry fees and other excursion costs, student travel insurance, and administrative fees.
*Program fee is subject to change due to unforeseeable circumstances.
IUB Tuition
If you are enrolled as a full-time student during the fall and spring semesters and enroll in BIOL-B221 and HON-H251 as part of your block credits, there is no additional tuition cost to participate in Sustainable Coffee Production in Thailand.
Additional Variable Costs
Variable costs are paid before and after you arrive in Thailand as you pay for roundtrip international airfare, some meals, snacks, personal expenses, and independent travel outside the program.
Note: The program fee will appear on your bursar bill and is paid directly to IU. See the program fee sheet for more details.
Scholarships
All admitted program participants are awarded an automatic HIEP Hutton Honors Study Abroad Scholarship of $500 applied directly to the program fee. No separate application is required.
Additionally, applicants to Hutton Honors Study Abroad programs may be considered for additional merit and need-based scholarships. If finances will be a barrier to participating in your study abroad experience, we invite you to apply for these awards. Please submit your application no later than your program's final application deadline.
Note: Program participants are not eligible to apply for the HIEP Grant.
Please see the IU Education Abroad website for more information on other available scholarships and financial aid opportunities.