In the Room with the Elephants

A 35-hour trip, an up-close elephant experience, and a group of new friends half a world away. 

It was all part of the first trip by Francis Marion University students and faculty to Chiang Mai Rajabhat University (CMRU) in northern Thailand. Ten students and three FMU faculty members traveled to the city of Chiang Mai during their 2025 spring break. 

Lillian Williamson, a junior from Sumter, S.C., says she’d made a promise to herself to travel as much as possible while she was in her 20s. The trip to Chiang Mai was one she couldn’t pass up. 

“I learned a lot about Thai culture and religion,” says Williamson. “Chiang Mai is such a unique place with a rich history. I was amazed to learn the history of the city and just how old it truly is. I also learned a few cultural dances and how to make some of the region’s most popular dishes.” 

With the link now established between CMRU and FMU — a group of professors from Thailand traveled to Florence and FMU for a summer learning session several years ago — the connection is expected to flourish. It’s the newest part of FMU’s growing International Programs department. 

The Thailand connection began with Dr. Sampong Kraikit, a longtime FMU benefactor and friend, who is also a graduate of Chiang Mai University. 

Kraikit, who has practiced nephrology in Florence for more than four decades, wanted to give back to his hometown in Thailand. His wife, Suwanee, suggested inviting professors from Thailand to FMU to learn active teaching methods, with the idea that they would return and share the knowledge they gained. They worked with their friend, FMU President Fred Carter, to initiate a study-abroad program in Asia. As part of the program, a group of 10 Thai educators came to Francis Marion, where they studied under Dr. Kathryn Haselden, a Professor of Education and Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for College and Career Readiness. 

More recently, the Thai project, including a possible trip by FMU students and faculty to Thailand, was added as an exploratory program through FMU’s International Studies Center. 

Dr. J. Mark Blackwell, Professor of Philosophy & Religious Studies and Director of International Programs, says the participating faculty and students set up the curriculum and programs. Blackwell’s office, as usual, developed plans that made the trip viable and safe. 

FMU sent a team of faculty members to Thailand in 2024 to prepare the way. That delegation, consisting of Dr. Haselden, Dr. Matthew Turner (Associate Professor of Philosophy and Coordinator of the Philosophy and Religious Studies Program), and his wife, Dr. Lorianne Turner (Professor of Biology, James B. Gray Chair of Microbiology, Coordinator of the Pre-Physical/ Occupational Therapy Program, and Co-coordinator of the Medical Laboratory Science Program), looked to establish a partnership with a university in Asia. The group targeted a number of universities, but after careful consideration, CMRU was selected. CMRU was viewed as the most fitting partner because it shared similar goals and, like FMU, served a large population of first-generation college students. Chiang Mai’s international airport also made it a convenient location for travel. 

Haselden says that Dr. Carter worked to create a budget that the Thailand group could work with that would make the trip affordable for FMU students. 

“That was wonderful,” says Haselden. 

Both Drs. Turner and Dr. Haselden presented lectures on Thai history and culture, on travel logistics, and on presenting cultural conversations once they arrived. 

Dr. Lori Turner says, “In addition to the work on the ground, one of the biggest things we took seriously was talking to the students before we went on the trip. We really wanted to hit on different points that we needed the students to be prepared for. Everything from food, to temperature, etiquette, and other cultural moments.”

The trip was not a simple one. It included a drive to Charlotte followed by 24 hours and 28 minutes of flying time, plus 10 hours and 56 minutes of layovers. 

In Thailand, the group toured Doi Inthanon National Park, the “roof of Thailand” in the Thanon Thong Chai mountain range, and the Royal Chedis and gardens. They also participated in a cooking class at Zabb-E-Lee Thai Cooking School, watched a cultural dance demonstration, and used free time to roam around the city. 

Everyone in the group agreed that their favorite experience was visiting the elephant sanctuary supported by Daughters Rising, a nonprofit organization working to combat human trafficking. 

The sanctuary is run by members of the Karen Village, who not only care for the elephants, but also operate small restaurants and lodging huts, where they gain tourism and hospitality skills. These opportunities provide villagers with sustainable employment, helping to break the cycle of poverty and lessen their vulnerability to trafficking. Notably, the sanctuary follows strict ethical guidelines — no one rides the elephants. 

During their visit to CMRU, the students delivered their cultural presentations. A university vice president invited them to attend his class later that day and present it again to his students. That led to an extended interaction between the FMU students and the students from Chiang Mai. Conversations were had, social media handles were exchanged. 

Ten days after the students and staff returned from the spring break trip, an earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand. Some of the FMU students reached out to their new friends in Thailand via social media to ensure they were safe. The trip’s faculty leaders say the highlight of the trip was seeing students grow — academically, socially, and personally. 

Dr. Lori Turner says, “The goal of the cultural experience was met. I think all students gained an appreciation and an understanding of their culture.” 

Makalya Sheppard, a psychology major with a minor in biology from Coward, S.C., and Lillian Williamson’s FMU roommate, also attended the spring break trip to Chiang Mai. It was Sheppard’s first time flying and traveling abroad. She says she’s thankful for the life-changing experience FMU gave her. 

“The professors were very knowledgeable about Thailand and were prepared for everything,” says Sheppard. “It made the whole experience much less stressful for me. I also had free time to explore and do things I wanted. I would absolutely recommend traveling abroad with FMU—especially for anyone who’s never been on a plane or left the country. It’s an affordable way to have an amazing experience. I mean, when would I ever get another opportunity like this?”