I can't advocate in favor of this program - 50/50 split Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

using 5 as the baseline for an ordinary class in the USA, I rate it a 3 for the following reasons: no textbooks, lecture slides are locked after "learning" material so you can't go back in to look at it again, homework/assessment is limited to group project and 1 exam. Learning is memorization based not critical thinking. Great thing is that professors are top of their career experts so teach from their impressive wealth of career experience! No boring lectures here!!! Engaging case studies but a decade behind and no academic literature research. Role playing is a plus. Yes I gained important and relevant career enrichment here, but its not academic intense as my school.

On-site administration of your program

Orientations were helpful as were international student office staff. International students are just sort of there- you have to read the flyers in the food court and be very proactive in looking for resources and experiences - no one will tell you. CISabroad program manager is quick to answer phone calls but is often out of the local area.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

3.5 based on 5 as average American dorm. no tv, doable wifi except for exam time, refrigerator shuts off when you leave the room so your ice cream melts and milk goes bad. toilet is not designed for toilet paper so use the hose. no cooking in the room at all. 1 clothes dryer per dorm building - buy a drying rack or pay the laundry lady to do it. swimming pool, gym, convenience stores, cafes, atm machine and shuttle to campus on the spot. Good maintenance! Housing staff is kind and will help you with mail and stuff.

3.5 - must love thai food because american type options are few and far between. eating out everyday at restaurants, at school and street food on occasion because no cooking in the dorm!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

3.5. I have Thai family and lived in Asia for several years so I thought it would be easy. It was not. I very much enjoyed the outings provided in my CISAbroad program but wish there were more.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I will give this an 8 because medication is almost free and over the counter. The university has at least 1 clinic on campus and they transport you to the hospital if necessary. The hospital fixed me up differently than in the US, but it was effective.

i never felt afraid of being robbed here! Traffic is horrendous and unsafe and you have to be aware of jellyfish in the ocean, but Thailand is a good place.

College in the jungle! Komodo dragons at the bus stop, non flush toilets, burn out spicy food, sweltering heat, elephants and 23KT gold buildings - exotic journey. I learned valuable career info, but feel behind scholastically.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I spent a LOT of money on taxis because it is too hot to wait so long for the free shuttle. I spent a lot on eating at school and at the mall. I felt nutritionally depleted and anemic so i spent a lot on steak. coffee is expensive in Thailand and you will eat a lot of ice cream because it is so hot there.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Thailand is an amazing wild place, you gotta go
• cultural immersion - loved the cooking classes, elephant sanctuary, sightseeing
• The application process was easy for me and financial aid

• keeping student busy with cultural immersion other than the bars
• there was way way too much partying
• increase academic rigor