Never Wanted to Leave Thailand Past Review

By (Political Science, University of Maine at Orono) for

USAC Thailand: Chiang Mai - Southeast Asia Culture, Politics, and Business

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It has made me more open to work abroad, particularly if it were a humanitarian organization.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Chiang Mai University
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was consistent with my work at home university. The grading system was more relaxed. My professors spoke English. We took several field trips.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone who worked the program was very helpful. They arranged field trips for us. They were very knowledgeable and kept us all out of a lot of trouble.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in a hotel. We had cleaning services, hot water, air conditioning (which was huge).

* Food:

Eat everywhere. The food carts are cheaper than the restaurants, and often more delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I went to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam. Phuket and the southern islands were amazing. Rode an elephant, played with wild monkeys. Drank snake whiskey.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

My program, Universities Study Abroad Consortium, provided us with health care. I was vaccinated for hepatitis A, and given medication for malaria, but they were precautions. Sometimes the food from the carts is not safe. Chiang Mai is a relatively safe city in Thailand.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

You have plenty of opportunities to practice the language. People that worked restaurants spoke English. Most other people except for those directly in our program did not.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The travel and cultural opportunities. Exploring Chiang Mai
  • I loved the food. I even enjoyed the classes. We went to a school where we were the only international students, so we were immersed to some extent.
* What could be improved?
  • The classes were inconsistent, often times we would switch teachers during the week.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Go to Thailand. It's warm, exotic, beautiful, unforgettable.