Best experience of my life! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really enjoyed my TEAN experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand. For my first study abroad experience, I decided to go a collectivist developing country that is very different from America's individualist culture. It has allowed me to become more open minded to different cultures. I received hands on experience interacting with different ethno-minorities, living in a home stay, farming with the natives and visiting different Nongovernmental organizations. It was an amazing way to understand their history and traditions from their less developed areas. But I also learned how to communicate with Thais through my stay at Payap University where I lived with a Thai student in a dorm room. This gave me the inside scoop to Thais' beliefs, values and customs. I would go back in a heartbeat! I will always be known as Kwan Jai (sweetheart), which was my Thai nickname, in my second home in Chiang Mai.

On-site administration of your program

I had amazing administrators in Thailand. They all spoke English but about half of them were Thai. They made sure that we had the best experience in Thailand and that we had the opportunity to partake in any activities that interest us.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a dorm room with one another Thai student that was great. She was learning English and I was trying to learn some Thai. So we helped each other!

The food was amazing. There was a cafeteria in my Residence Hall that was free from Monday to Fridays to provide breakfast and dinner. Lunch you had to pay for along with meals that were over the weekend. It was very convenient.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Our Resident Director and Assistants did a great job with trying to help us get integrated into Thai culture. There were even Thai students that befriended us to help develop our own interpretation of Thailand. I had a great time!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was easily accessible to travel by buses provided by the school or to take a taxi. Usually, our Resident Director would stop whatever he is doing to drive students to the hospital and stay with them to help them translate information from the doctors. I didn't have a personal experience with health care, but many people went there while I was there. The prices were affordable and the duration of stay was acceptable.

The city is very safe! We were in a very safe area were walking in small groups at night was acceptable. I wouldn't go alone, because communicating in Thai could be difficult. I have no sense of direction so I made sure that I took a taxi everywhere or drove with Thai students that I knew. Everything isn't in walking distance, so be prepared to spend money on transportation.

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

It was very easy to live on a student's budget. If you like to shop, it may be slightly challenging, but the exchange rate is amazing. $1 is 30 baht in Thailand, so it's very affordable.

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

A language class was offered, but was not mandatory. They wanted you to use as much Thai as you could, but it is difficult to use a language that you are not practicing or learning without taking the course.

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• Dorm
• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

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• Local Students
• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• Excursions
• The people
• The culture

• prior notice of additional cost to host institution