Is it time to move back yet?…seriously though. Past Review
By Jack F (Natural Resource Tourism, Colorado State University) - abroad from 01/14/2014 to 05/23/2014 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Thailand - Semester in Chiang Mai
As I learned about Thailand and Asia in general I unexpectedly learned almost just as much about myself, my culture, and my home country. I learned to go with the flow and lets thing happen as they do.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically, we learned intensely about the region regarding culture as well as relations politically. Learning about the area while living there is absolutely amazing, the professors are kind, cheerful, and are as much a part of the experience as the material we learned. The work load as never too much so we had time to travel when we weren't in class. Faculty is extremely approachable and by the end of the semester I had cultivated close relationships with the professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The active TEAN faculty in Chiang Mai are awesome. Always just a phone call away for help whenever you need it. We grew extremely close to the TEAN members as they were our guidance through our international experience. We became friends, not merely a student to administration relationship. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Uniloft was a very comical unique experience. A very modern style apartment/dorm set up that provided what we needed to live comfortably. |
| * Food: |
I have forever be spoiled after living in Thailand for 5 months. THE FOOD! Ah, to this day i think about all different dishes I miss. Thai food is absolutely incredible, although it might take some getting use to if your use to a typical American or western diet once you adjust you will be in heaven from there on out! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Thai people are extremely welcoming in all aspects. I felt extremely comfortable ALL the time. They are willing to help you with whatever you need and love that your in their country! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Chiang Mai has amazing hospitals. TEAN was always there to drive you to the hospital if needed, and always checked up on us if we had health issues. They speak English extremely well so no worries about communication problems! |
| * Safety: |
Being a male abroad I obviously face less safety concerns, but being in Chiang Mai felt like being with a group friends that were always looking out for you. Thai's do not have bad intentions, because of the Buddhist society safety was never as issue for me our the girls in my group. Females felt completely safe out at night and were able to enjoy the city free of worry. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The turn over rate of the US dollar to Thai Baht is great. You will be able to get food for under $5 dollars whenever you want. Any meal over $10 was a treat for us! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than $50. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Because the turn over rate is great, you can buy plenty of clothes or market goods for a low cost.This is awesome, but it is very easy to get carried away! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 years of Spanish. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Because English is their second language it is very easy to not use Thai. But I strongly recommend ordering your meals and bargaining in Thai, these are the 2 situations where you will use it the most and shows the Thai's that you respect them and their language! Make an effort! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Dorms are gender separated. (this might have changed now) |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
