Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fall in love with Chiang Mai! Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Gustavus Adolphus College) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 05/23/2014 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Thailand - Semester in Chiang Mai

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
During my time in Chiang Mai, I had so many experiences I will never forget. The city and its people were absolutely beautiful, and TEAN’s program allowed me to experience the beauty of Thailand in an incredibly authentic and life-changing way. After we arrived at the airport, we were brought to a beautiful resort in one of the most iconic parts of the city known as Nimman. From the minute we began to drive through the city, I knew I was in the midst of an amazing adventure. It was love at first sight! We then proceeded to have the most awesome orientation experience. Our first few days in Thailand were packed with awesome food, beautiful places, and meaningful learning experiences that would help us make sense of the rest of our time there. As a group of TEANers (as I like to call us), we got to know each other in a way that I’ve never known another group of people. From then on, TEAN helped facilitate our experience in the city with a great balance. TEAN and the staff were available to help us, but never suffocated our own ability to have an amazing adventure. The staff was there with great advice on places to go and things to do. TEAN also took us on a spectacular trip to Krabi (an island in the south of Thailand) and on an unforgettable hiking excursion to Doi Inthanon. Overall, I can say only awesome things about my experiences with TEAN in Chiang Mai!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about forty dollars a week, including a coffee from a coffee shop every day.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Studying in Thailand for me was actually a little less expensive than studying at my home institution.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

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? Latin, Intermediate level
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? Talk to your roommates and ask them questions. They're an amazing resource!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Thai Roommates
  • Thai Food
  • The beauty--the people, the places, everything in Chiang Mai
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing--Everything was great!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't hesitate or worry. It's going to be amazing!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.