NUS College, Impact Experience – Transforming sustainability education through real-world action (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

IEx blends classroom learning with hands-on community engagement, challenging students to apply their skills in real-world settings. In one initiative, students partner with upland farmers to promote coffee as a sustainable alternative to environmentally damaging crops like corn, highlighting the benefits of shade-grown agriculture. Through close collaboration, students gain firsthand insight into the villagers’ remarkable resourcefulness and the deep local knowledge often overlooked in city life. These experiences not only transform students’ perspectives but also teach them the importance of respecting community voices and working together to create meaningful, locally-driven change.