Study Tour: Modern Mongolia - Challenges to the Environment, Economy and Empire

Mongolia has a deep historical memory and cultural tradition but today’s Mongolia presents a new face to the international community as a successful post-socialist democracy and as one of the world’s largest commodity exporters. Mining has boosted the national economy but at a heavy sacrifice to surrounding ecology and local herding communities. Over two weeks of field study, students will witness firsthand the challenges that Mongolia faces through in-class lectures and language lessons; interaction with local community, mining and industry stakeholders; visits to sites of global historical and heritage importance; and aspects of unique nomadic cultural practices. Themes include environment, energy, cultural heritage, community health and infrastructure. Students will investigate the true cost of economic growth on the environmental, cultural and historic fabric of Mongolia – a nation caught between globalisation and ancient ways of life.