A place I will always consider a second home Past Review
By Lauren Bateman (University of Tulsa) - abroad from 01/10/2016 to 05/07/2016 with
USAC Thailand: Chiang Mai - Southeast Asia Culture, Politics, and Business
I learned so much about myself. I had never been away from my hometown for more than 3 weeks so this was a huge step for me. When I was in Thailand, a huge weight was lifted off of me and I had so much freedom to do what I pleased. I was able to read, write, observe, think.
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Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The rigor was what I expected for a study abroad program. The structure was not quite what I'm used at my home university. However, I did take a 4000 level course (Tropical Plant Ecology) that was as rigorous as it was rewarding. Take upper level courses if you want academic satisfaction. I took 12 credit hours and was able to travel most weekends because I had no class Mondays. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration is right near your classes and they are always there for any concerns. Utilize them and your stay will be very comfortable! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Uniloft doesn't have flare by any means but it was a fun living situation. Because you are surrounded with people from the program it is easy to make friends and form bonds early on. The bed is hard but you get used to it! Air conditioning works great and there is wifi (sometimes sketchy) in every room. It was nice to have a workout facility and pool at the residence too. Overall, Uniloft served its purpose as a safe and functional place to live near campus. |
| * Food: |
The food is the best in the world. Although Uniloft doesn't provide a kitchen for your use, cooking is unnecessary. There is some of the cheapest, freshest food on virtually every street. If you are vegetarian or vegan, there are plenty of options. There are even good Italian, Mexican, and burger places if you get certain cravings. I suggest eating street food everyday. It's the cheapest and best you'll find in Thailand. plus it helps you learn the language by talking to locals that don't necessarily speak English. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Unless you are a hermit in your room, it is impossible not to integrate with locals. Everyone in Thailand is so friendly and there is always a reason to be out and about (markets, music, food). I highly suggest frequenting bars or cafes to become friends with local Thais. I made a good friend my last month I was there and he showed me places I would have never known about without him. Wished I would have had the confidence earlier to make Thai friends. Remember, Thais are just as shy if not more shy than you are! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to visit the hospital a couple of times during my stay and I was amazed at the efficiency and care I was given. The doctors and nurses speak great English and you get the proper medicine you need directly after your visit. It's honestly better to get sick in Thailand than in the States! I suggest the Ram Hospital. It is easy to get reimbursed for visits (program staff will help with this). |
| * Safety: |
When I was considering studying in Thailand, everyone's first comment was about how unsafe Thailand is. That could not be further from the truth. In ways, I felt even more safe walking around by myself in Thailand than I am in the states. The only safety concern would be with renting a motorbike. I had a motorbike for a couple months and I don't regret this decision (driving the bike was one of my favorite memories) but BE CAREFUL and always be alert :). |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Most people study abroad in Europe. That is fine and all but if you are looking for a true adventure, Thailand is for you. You will learn so much so fast about Thai culture and about yourself. I got to bathe elephants, motorbike to waterfalls, camp in the rainforest, the possibilities are endless in Thailand. There is such a great energy in Chiang Mai. |
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) |
From my understanding, USAC's Thailand program is the most affordable program you can find. USAC is nonprofit and Thailand is a very cheap country. (Ex: street food= about $0.60, red truck ride (taxi) to most places in the city= $0.60, bills for Uniloft= no more than $35). Asia Air is an affordable airline. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spend a total of $3000. That includes all of my expenses for the semester, including a trip to Cambodia, Myanmar, and Indonesia. This also includes my hospital bills, bike rental, etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn to negotiate FAST. A red truck ride should be no more than 20 baht unless you are going to an airport or bus station. Tell them where you are going and get in the back. This means it is 20 baht unless they say otherwise. The more Thai you try to use (instead of pulling up a map) the more easily they will recognize that you are not a tourist. Also, everything at the market is very negotiable. Coffee and other drinks are often more expensive than your food (still not very expensive). If you frequent coffee, it might be a good investment to bring (or buy at Maya mall) a water heater and instant coffee. You will be able to find most everything you need in Chiang Mai except tampons so pack light! |
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 |
Learning to read and write Thai was my most useful and rewarding class. |
| 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 |
| 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? | Practice speaking Thai even if the Thai person speaks English. They love it when you put forth effort and Thai people love to kindly correct pronunciation! I learned the most by engaging with street vendors. |
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? | I wish I packed less! You will accumulate a lot during your time there, so the less the better. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
