Thailand Internship-Greatest Experience Ever Past Review
By Alexa B (Kinesiology and Exercise Science., Northern Arizona University) - abroad from 05/10/2013 to 06/10/2013 with
World Endeavors: Intern in Thailand
I learned so many professional skills and lessons that can be applied in my life: patience, acceptance, language skills, etc. The list is never ending!
Personal Information
| 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 internship was very educational and required prior experience and knowledge! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were people in Thailand that I could always count on for help and that I could call anytime, even if it was just translating for the taxi driver. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a very nice living arrangment, with AIR CONDITIONING! I lived in an apartment style room with a living area and bathroom on site. |
| * Food: |
I love Thai food so I was very satisfied. The Thai food is very different from glamorized American food, but it is a great experience. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I actually got an infection on my foot from a snorkeling excursion, and my host family was very helpful and took me to a nearby clinic! I was able to get medication for my foot and it healed very well. It was difficult to understand the doctor as he was handing me all sorts of medication, but I was able to communicate through my host father as to what each medication was for and if I needed it or not. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Thailand! |
| 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) |
Thailand is very inexpensive! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~100-200, it depends on how much you travel, food is provided through the week! |
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 |
Not very many people where I worked spoke English, so I was very encouraged to learn Thai. It was nice because they also wanted to learn English, so we helped each other. |
| 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? | none in Thai, third year German |
| 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? | Speak, speak, speak. Don't be shy. Ask questions and try. |
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? | Don't miss out on anything. The cultural shock can be strong at first, as well as the homesickness. But take advantage of the culture there and the people you are with. Learn as much as you can, and see as much as you can see! |
