Thailand Term

Courses | Location | Accommodations | Travel |

Program Dates | Cost| Next Steps/Contact |

Thailand Term

Highlights
Immersion in the language, culture, and daily life of a rapidly industrializing nation • Hill tribe trek • Rural village stays • Local excursions • Courses that fulfill many general education requirements at Bethel • Open to all majors

Program Description
Spend a semester at Payap University, a school of 8,000 located in Chiang Mai. Take two core courses in Thai language and culture, and choose from additional elective courses, many of which fulfill general education requirements at Bethel. Learn through excursions and interactions with the Thai people. There is much to explore and learn in the exciting city of Chiang Mai and the surrounding mountainous region.

Courses (15 - 18 credits total)
All courses are taught in English. During the term’s core (weeks 1-13), students take the following courses:
TH100 Thai Language 6 credits (E course: Cultural Diversity)
IAS232 Cultural Foundations of Thai Society 3 credits
Electives 6 credits

The final 3-week segment of the term, students will either take another 3-credit elective course or participate in a for-credit service-learning practicum. In addition, TESL students may fulfill ESL240 TESOL Practicum Abroad (1 credit). Not all courses will be available every term. Please contact the program directly if you are concerned about specific subjects.

Location
Situated in a mountainous region of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a bustling city that is home to Thai, Chinese, Lao, hill tribe groups. It is also popular with foreigners as the city offers many things to see and do. Chiang Mai is famous for its night bazaar and its many Buddhist temples. Fall is a season of many festivals, holidays, and celebrations in Chiang Mai. Nearby national parks offer mountain hiking and waterfalls, and students may choose to trek to hill tribe villages. The Payap campus is about 20 minutes from the downtown area, and public transportation is widely available. September is quite rainy, and can be warm and humid (80s – 90s), while in November and December it cools down to the 70s.

Travel
Thailand Term offers both organized travel and time reserved for independent travel. The term begins with a 3-day trek to a hill tribe village as part of orientation. A mid-term break allows for independent student travel.

Extra-Curricular Activities & Excursions
Faculty members often supplement classroom learning with field trips and excursions. In addition, students may participate in student clubs, language camps, and work camps sponsored by the Office of Student Activities. Friday group activities are intended to supplement academic field trips by engaging students in more recreational activities, indcluding visits to Buddhist temples, local markets, Thai cooking classes, and other places that demonstrate traditional Thai life. In addition, students are invited to participate in several social events, including a Khantoke dinner, picnics, receptions, and activities with Thai students from Payap.

Calendar
Aug. 21st or 22nd Departure from U.S.
Aug. 22nd Students arrive
Aug. 25th-29th Orientation

Aug. 5th-6th Hill tribe village trek

Sept. 8th-Dec. 21 Core of term

* see below for important dates before the trip *

Accommodations
Students live in the Payap dormitories in individual rooms. An optional homestay of 2-3 weeks is available about two-thirds of the way through the semester.

Cost
Students pay the equivalent of Bethel tuition, room (junior level), and board. For Fall 2008, this is $16,545. This includes tuition and fees, room, most meals, orientation & trek, many course-related excursions, and round-trip airfare (Minneapolis – Chiang Mai). Financial aid applies (with the exception of work-study and Bethel performance scholarships, i.e. orchestra, forensics). Additional costs include optional independent travel expenses. passport, immunizations, and personal spending.

Requirements

Minimum sophomore standing
Minimum 2.5 GPA
Open to all majors
Open to sophomores & juniors

Next steps

Learn more about Payap University online at: http://ic.payap.ac.th/
Talk with your advisor – off-campus study should complement your field of study.
Ask questions – feel free to contact the OIS for any additional information.
Obtain an application from the OIS.

Important dates
March 15 Application deadline (application includes $100 deposit)
March 30 Students notified of acceptance
April 15 $200 Deposit due, last day to cancel with refund
April 24 Study Abroad Orientation (mandatory)
April Pre-departure meeting
August Final program payment due with Fall 2004 bill
September 3 Tentative departure date
December 19 Tentative return date