A Life Changing Experience in Southeast Asia Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were taught by both local and Western professors. I enjoyed the level of difficulty that the classes brought because I felt challenged while still having enough free time to explore. The language classes were especially enjoyable because I was able to use what I learned in the classroom in everyday situations.

On-site administration of your program

TEAN were very helpful throughout the course of the program. They were always there to help with any safety and health concerns and were very attentive to emotional well-being. Periodically I received emails to check-in on different aspects of the program by on-site staff.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

In Thailand I lived in a student dorm complex. It was one of the nicest places that I have stayed throughout college because the rooms are set up in a suite style where you have your own bedroom. In Cambodia I was able to live with a host family. It was amazing because it made me feel closer to the culture that I was learning about. I was able to practice my language in both situations but I think I became more confident in my Khmer because of my experience with my host family. My host mom did not speak English so I think I was able to learn more of the language through conversing with her. My host family was extremely nice and attentive.

The food in Thailand and Cambodia was beyond amazing. If I could give it more than five stars I would. In Thailand my favorite place to get food was actually on the street nearby my dorm complex. There are so many options and they are all delicious. In Cambodia I ate meals that were mostly prepared by my host mom. I am a pescatarian and I was able to find many food options in both countries.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated to the culture in Cambodia because of my experiences with my host family. However, I felt integrated with the campus culture more in Thailand than I did in Cambodia because in Thailand I was spending more time with other students. In both countries I felt integrated but I felt that I was integrating into different parts of life which made it even more interesting to compare both experiences.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to go to the hospital while I was in Chiang Mai and it was a very easy and relatively cheap process. I went to the hospital that TEAN recommended after talking to my resident director. I was pleasantly surprised that I felt I received the same care as I would for my situation in the Untied States for a much cheaper price. The TEAN staff were very helpful throughout this process and I was able to get the care and medication that I needed. They even checked in with me about a week afterwards to make sure that I stayed healthy.

Chiang Mai felt like one of the safest places I have been to. I was not scared to walk around at night and this aspect of safety helped me fall in love with the city. In Phnom Penh I felt less safe walking alone at night but nothing ever actually happened to me and it was very rare that I would be alone at night anyway. If you are staying with a host family it is very likely that they would not want you to walk alone at night either, especially if you are female. If you are smart in the way you present yourself and the way you interact with the local culture then you should be safe in both cities.

I couldn't imagine spending this semester in Southeast Asia with any other program. I learned so much about sustainability and being a tourist with a positive impact.

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

Both countries are extremely affordable if you are coming from the United States. In Thailand my meals ranged from 50 cents to 5 dollars and in Cambodia my meals ranged from 3 dollars to 8 dollars. The difference was balanced by the fact that I ate most meals with my host family in Cambodia.

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

Select all that apply

• Dorm
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• Freedom to explore
• Cultural experiences
• Language professors

• Nothing!

The Academic or Linguist