Thailand Term (Spring 2009)

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 • 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. 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:

SA267     Thai Studies                                        3 credits
TH200 Thai Language                                     6 credits
Intercultural Understanding module course            1 credit
Elective    (Choose from list below)                       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. Below is a sample of course electives offered, at least one course in each area is offered on a rotating basis):  Please contact the program directly if you are concerned about specific subjects.

Electives for Spring 2009:

EC 493  Selected Topics:  Globalization and the Mekong Sub-Region (3 credits)

SA 493  Selected Topics:  Social Problems in Southeast Asia (3 credits)

SA 335  Ethnicity:  Thailand--The Study of Ethnic Minorities (3 credits)

TH XXX Thai Literature (3 credits)

Economic Development in Southeast Asia (1 credit module course)

Location
Situated in a mountainous region of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a bustling city that is home to Thai, Chinese, Lao, and 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 program schedules some weekend activities but provides plenty of free time to meet Thai students at Payap and make new friends in Chiang Mai. 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
Jan. 15 or 16    Departure from U.S.
                       Orientation & hill tribe village trek
Feb.2-May        Core of term
Thai Village Stay
mid-May          Departure for U.S.

* see below for important dates before the trip *

Accommodations
Students live in the Payap dormitories in individual rooms. Thai Studies students are required to complete a two-week to one-month home stay with a local family.

Cost
$16,545.  Students pay the equivalent of Bethel tuition, room (junior level), and board. 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, CC320A.

Important dates
October 15  Application deadline (application includes $50 deposit)
Nov.            Students notified of acceptance
Nov. 15       Study Abroad Orientation (mandatory)
Dec.            Pre-departure meeting
January       Final program payment due with Fall 2004 bill
Jan. 15-16   Tentative departure date
mid-May     Tentative return date