Eye Opening and Heart Warming Past Review
By Ann Carroll (Winthrop University) - abroad from 01/10/2019 to 05/18/2019 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Thailand - Semester in Chiang Mai
I learned how to better get out of my comfort zone and better listen to other people. As an outsider, I wanted to respect Thai culture as much as possible and through studying abroad, my eyes were opened to new cultures, experiences, and adventures. This experience was 100% worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Absolutely adored Kru Gai! He was one of the best teachers I have had throughout my entire education career. The courses offered were intriguing and were not too rigorous. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Uniloft, a dormitory-style living space about a 15-minute walk to campus. You lived with a roommate with a shared bathroom, balcony, sink, and living room but had your own bedroom. |
| * Food: |
Cheapest and best spicy food ever. Almost all the meals I cook now are Thai inspired because the food in Thailand was incredibly versatile and delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
TEAN did a fantastic job of recommending us local restaurants, coffee shops, hangouts and more. They even connected us with Thai students at Chiang Mai University to help incorporate us into the culture. I regret not going out of my comfort zone more to feel more integrated in the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never once felt unsafe while in Thailand. Even walking alone at night, which is something I avoid in my home city, I always felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
TEAN went above and beyond to help us integrate with the locals while providing us far more resources then we deserved. When the air quality was hazardous, they gave us air purifiers and masks when most Thai people do not have the ability to own air purifiers. They really went above and beyond and I am incredibly grateful for everything they planned. |
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) |
I personally tracked how much money I spent per month and believe it is very easy to live on a student's budget. If money is a main concern, Chiang Mai is a great location because transportation and food can be less than $3 per meal or ride. |
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 |
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| 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? | Spanish 102 |
| 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? | Get out of your comfort zone and practice! Thai people are grateful when you use Thai to communicate especially because they will apologize when their English is not the best. An essential part of being thai is the ability to speak Thai. If you try to speak Thai you will gain a lot of respect from locals. |
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? | I wish I had known how quickly the time would fly by to try and visit more places in Chiang Mai before I ran out of time. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
