You learn to love it, or hate it. But you learn something about yourself! Past Review
By Hero H (International Business, University of Nevada – Las Vegas) for
USAC Thailand: Chiang Mai - Southeast Asia Culture, Politics, and Business
I learned things I don't like, and things I like. I learned to accept things I will never understand! It got me interested in a part of the world I never thought about before. It prompted me to teach English, and make a difference. I am currently working and studying in Beijing, China. My experience has also opened up doors for employment and many employers understand the value of multicultural aware employees. This definitely helped to get into #58 Tsinghua, and other opportunities related to International Business and International Relations.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Torino, Tsinghua University of |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were good, but in my opinion very easy, and the teachers not so critical.The grading was easy, so for a relaxing trip its not bad. I was able to choose as many courses as I wanted and arranged them for the mid week so I could travel. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This is Asia, and not a Western country. There is no such thing as preparation. I could not choose my classes until the week before they started. I had to copy all of my books from the library, and often misunderstandings and expectations that I feel the faculty and program didn't address to my satisfaction. However. After I left and now living in China, I realized all of my frustrations and cultural misunderstandings were the "experience" towards the end of the trip I started to really feel that I understood Thai culture. More importantly I had a very open view point of other Asian countries |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived on the top floor of the International Apartments for the study abroad students. I had requested to live with other Thai students but that option was not ussually chosen so they just didn't take that into affect. I later found out the living standards and conditions vary greatly. Overall I was happy with the apartment, but it was small, and the bed was uncomfortable. The street food is great near it! |
| * Food: |
I love $1 street food. You can get almost any dish! I never got sick, but that doesn't apply to every one. Resist KFC and Mcdonalds Delivery! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
First 3 months. I was not happy, I questioned myself why I went, and had many good, but also difficult experiences. The last month, The language, culture, and friends, just clicked! I started to understand and accept things. The last month in Thailand was the best I have ever had, and is one of the top experiences in my life. After China, I will probably move back. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Everything was o.k. Really no issues. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We had to take a beginner Thai class. It doesn't help you speak so well if you don't try. It was very good preparation for learning Chinese, which I can speak fluently now. The grammar is very similar. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would recommend to try everything you can. Go on the trips. Visit the temples. Accept invitations from the Thai people. You must do everything, and just try! If the idea makes you uncomfortable, and a little scared, this means you should try it! I have done 3 study abroads' in 3 different countries. The ones that get nothing are the ones that stayed only with the Foreign students. They didn't try to make Thai, Italian, or Chinese friends. If you go, you must try to get the experience. This means, stay out late, wake up early. Dont waste any time, and maybe if you are lucky, you will start to see why I advocate this, and you will begin to experience what I have. |
