Charmed by Chiang Mai Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were much easier compared to my home institution. There were two courses that I took with SMCM faculty members, and they were challenging. The Payap courses were interesting but very easy compared to SMCM standards. They were also lecture based, not seminar style which I did not prefer.

On-site administration of your program

The program administration was great, Adam Dedman (the director at the time I was abroad) was very organized and on top of everything. Pi Noi, the program assistant is the sweetest Thai lady you will ever meet, get to know her! The office was very accessible and had a very international staff that could relate to many different students. The reason I only gave it 4 globes instead of 5 is that, with anything International, some things get lost in translation and there were a few miscommunications, but that is to be expected when going abroad!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed at PIH, the international dorm which was very nice and clean. However, there was almost no communication between the students and the residence life staff. While I was there I had to change rooms 3 times, and I was notified the day before I needed to move. This was very frustrating at times, but again all part of the experience. During the semester I was able to live with a Thai, Chinese, and then Japanese roommate.

PIH, the dorm I stayed in, had a cafeteria which was nice but the buffet style food was not very good. They did made to order food on the weekends which was very (aroy mak mak) and cheap! In Chiang Mai there are plenty of Western options if you are craving American food, but it is expensive. I did miss not having a kitchen and not being able to cook my own food.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Chiang Mai is a very interesting mix of expats and vagabonds of all nations. Thai people are also very friendly and it was easy to make friends with them and get a true cultural experience if you want one. I participated in a lot of Thai festivals, Loi Krahtong being my favorite (think 4th on July on speed). All of the trips that the program arranged were amazing, I got to see almost the whole country, and planned my own trips to the Gulf. They organized two traditional village stays, a trip to the ancient capital, museums, and service trips as well. I'd say one of the best apects of this program is the amount and quality of the trips they organized. We had a course on Myanmar, so they took us to the border to meet with NGO's and visit a refugee camp.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Payap has a learning hospital for their school medicine so we could go there for pretty much anything. Health care is very good and affordable in Chiang Mai. Look out for motor bikes, they are pretty dangerous, two students died in motor bikes accidents when I was abroad and it happens every semester.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• International Students

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• Americans
• International Students

• the excursions and village stays
• the Thai language teachers
• bicycle rental program!

• Communication surrounding Residence Life
• Expenses prior to going abroad