Modern Nomads

June 29, 2026

The journey starts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's dynamic capital, where participants meet faculty and peers. The program launches with an introduction to climate change in Mongolia, emphasizing Dzud—severe winter conditions affecting nomadic herders' resilience.

Day one extends beyond academics, immersing participants in Mongolian culture through traditions, cuisine, customs, and language, fostering appreciation for local life. The day culminates at the Chinggis Khan Museum, where participants explore Mongolia's historic legacy through art, artifacts, and legendary narratives celebrating the nation's heritage.

June 30, 2026

The journey continues to Hustai National Park, one of Mongolia’s most iconic protected areas and home to the Przewalski’s horse (Takhi)—the world’s only true wild horse, successfully reintroduced to its natural habitat over 30 years ago. Participants will explore how Mongolian nomadic herders are adapting to climate-induced challenges such as Dzud, and how sustainable practices are helping preserve their livelihoods and cultural traditions while immersed in the park’s breathtaking steppe landscapes.

July 1, 2026

The program examines practical CBNRM (Community-based Natural Resource Management) implementation challenges and climate change's impacts on rangeland management. Participants visit herder families to observe climate effects on grazing and livelihoods firsthand. They will engage in traditional activities like livestock care and food preparation, fostering genuine cultural exchange and meaningful connections throughout their stay.

July 2, 2026

This session offers an in-depth introduction to Hustai National Park, one of Mongolia’s premier conservation areas, where participants will explore the park’s innovative wildlife management approaches, dynamic ecosystems, and diverse habitats. Through guided discussions and field observation, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how biodiversity in Hustai is changing in response to both natural and human influences, uncovering lessons in adaptive management and ecosystem resilience on Mongolia’s vast steppe.

July 3, 2026 

Participants will explore rangeland conflicts between herders and crop farmers in Hustai National Park's Buffer Zone, examining climate pressures, resource scarcity, and land-use competition. Through classroom sessions and field visits to herder households and farming sites, including interactive interviews, they'll gain insights into social-ecological challenges and community-based solutions for sustainable rangeland management and conflict resolution.

July 4, 2026 

Participants will have the unique opportunity to partake in Mini Naadam Festival at Mongol Nomadic tourist camp, which is a half-hour drive from the park. This festival includes Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, archery, long songs, dances, and more, and will last 2-3 hours. After the festival, the group will drive to Ulaanbaatar.

July 5, 2026 

Following an exploration of the impacts of climate change on Mongolia's rural herding communities, this activity provides participants with in-depth knowledge of the internal migration movements that influence the nation's population distribution. During the lecture sessions focused on migration pattern analysis, participants will investigate the underlying forces that motivate rural-to-urban population shifts, encompassing employment prospects, climate-related environmental changes, and the availability of educational and medical resources.

July 6, 2026 

Following classroom lectures, participants experience Ulaanbaatar's Ger Districts firsthand, where traditional felt tents meet modern urban infrastructure. Walking through these settlements, they'll observe living conditions, infrastructure challenges, and community dynamics. Household visits reveal how residents adapt nomadic housing to urban life, exploring heating, water, and waste management innovations while learning about social networks that help newcomers integrate into the city.

July 7, 2026 

This activity offers participants an essential understanding of Mongolia's urban governance and administrative operations. Meetings with khoroo officials reveal challenges in serving expanding informal settlements. Participants observe morning operations where residents register for services, resolve disputes, and access programs. Discussions with administrators explore balancing constrained resources against growing demands for infrastructure, education, and healthcare in underserved areas, providing practical insights into local public service delivery systems.

July 8, 2026 

This session explores Mongolia's interconnected environmental and health challenges from urbanization and climate change. Participants analyze air quality, water contamination, and health data to understand environmental degradation in communities. Participants will study Ulaanbaatar's severe winter air pollution crisis in Ger districts, where coal and waste burning create hazardous conditions. The session examines links between environmental challenges and respiratory health outcomes, especially affecting children and elderly residents, providing comprehensive insight into Mongolia's unique urban environmental health concerns.

July 9, 2026 

This concluding session enables participants to create practical action plans for addressing complex challenges explored throughout the course. Through guided discussions and presentations, participants synthesize observations, research, and stakeholder engagement into comprehensive frameworks. Teams develop policy recommendations targeting specific challenges, like proposing culturally-sensitive, economically-viable, and environmentally-sustainable waste management solutions for Ger districts. Final presentations to local officials and community leaders provide real-world feedback and potential implementation opportunities, transforming learning into tangible impact.