TEAN: Study Abroad in Thailand

Thailand was always on my top places to go since I was young and I am so incredibly happy that I chose to study abroad there as I was truly able to immerse myself into the culture and experience life in Chiang Mai. The minute I stepped off the plane in Chiang Mai I immediately felt welcomed and at home. The culture in Thailand is vastly different from anything I have ever encountered before and I loved taking it all in and experiencing every part of it. TEAN was very helpful and the staff that were with us in Chiang Mai were absolutely AMAZING!! If I ever needed anything or ran into any issues while I was abroad, they were always there to help and assist with anything I needed. Between the incredible food, amazing people, and a culture unlike anywhere else, I am so grateful I chose Chiang Mai and I urge anyone who is thinking about going abroad to go with TEAN!!

I was extremely apprehensive in my decision whether or not to go abroad; however, it ended up being the best decision that I have ever made. Not only was my world view broadened, I also learned so much about myself and my role as a global citizen. I gained a strengthened sense of my own identity as an Asian American studying in Asia. and I have become a more confident person. I had no prior experience in international travel, but now I consider myself a pro traveler. Chiang Mai was the perfect place for me; it was so different from what I am accustomed to in the US, such as its slow pace of life, and the people there are extremely friendly and kind. The homestay was such a great way of experiencing it first-hand and to get integrated into Thai society, and I deeply cherish those memories. TEAN was extremely accommodating, right from the start of the application process up until the day the program ended. They prepared us for assimilating into Thai culture, which was greatly appreciated considering how intimidating it was to go to a country that I didn't know the language of and they kept us busy during orientation (such as taking us to an elephant sanctuary or visiting Wat Doi Suthep!), which helped immensely with jet lag. The excursion to the Golden Triangle was also very enjoyable for me, as I feel like I learned so much from this trip that I would not have experienced if it were not for the program. Over the course of 5 months, I made so many friends and countless amazing memories. No matter any concerns that you might have, do not let that stop you from making the decision from coming here! You will not regret it.

I chose Thailand because I heard it was beautiful and cheap. Yet what I didn't realize was Thailand is beautiful through their people, culture, food, and of course natural beauty from the mountains to the beaches. Some of the best food (and spiciest food) I have ever eaten in my life was because of my time studying abroad in Thailand. I absolutely loved my time abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand and wish I could do it all over again. As soon as we arrived in Chiang Mai, TEAN began introducing us to the Thai culture by informing us of dos and don'ts and by taking us to places all around the city. I was immediately welcomed by TEAN and Thai people and am so grateful TEAN invested so much time into us! TEAN went above and beyond when they did not need to. When the air quality was at its poorest, TEAN relocated us to Bangkok, gave us air purifiers, masks, and bussed us to school. All of these precautions showed TEAN really cares for their students. Since everything in Thailand is very cheap in comparison to the United States, it was so easy to try new foods and buy cute items at all the markets in Chiang Mai. There are so many things to do in Chiang Mai you will never get bored! I have never grown so much in so many aspects of my life before studying abroad and I thank TEAN for making the experience so easy going. I will never forget Chiang Mai and can't wait to go back to my second home.

I made the choice to study abroad because I wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone while seeing the world from a new perspective. Going through the TEAN: Semester Program in Chiang Mai, Thailand has been the highlight of my college career. It was a bit intimidating at first, as it’s not a popular location, and I did not know anyone going, but the TEAN staff on site had us jump right into things! Without the opportunities and excursions TEAN gave us, I might not have experienced what it was like to live like a local for 5 months. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would not have changed one thing.
My favorite part was our homestay in Baan Sri Khum village with a local family who hosted us for a week. My entire experience abroad would have been so different if it weren’t for that one week that TEAN had set aside for us to integrate ourselves into the culture!

In my notebook, I kept a section titled “moments” where I logged pages on pages of all the small, but impactful, experiences I had in Thailand. As I read through it now, attempting to answer this question, I can’t help but tear up. You don’t realize how far a simple smile can go until you experience it in place of words, and I don’t think there was one day I didn’t feel the radiating kindness. From the wholesome, simple lifestyle in the village, to the music blasting at Zoe in Yellow, each person reflected pure joy in what they were doing because they did it surrounded by those they love. It just goes to show how little we need to truly find happiness, and how important it is to hold onto it once we’ve got it. In Thailand, it was never about who had the next best thing, but instead how can we help someone feel a little bit better today. My biggest takeaway from studying abroad in Thailand was a shift in perspective and newfound appreciation for all that I’ve had and have the potential to receive. It’s eye-opening, and one day the whole world will see it too. Thank you TEAN.

Choosing this particular program and destination was hands down the best decision I've ever made. The experience itself was challenging, fulfilling, heartwarming, immersive, and crazy fun. I would go back right now if I could. I'm Asian American and going back to a region that has a lot of familial history was eye-opening and an opportunity of a lifetime. I learned a lot about myself and I think I'm a better person because of the way I got out of my comfort zone (physically, mentally, spiritually).

I learned how to admire and participate in Thai culture while also respecting the practices. I gained a newfound understanding of Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries roles in geopolitics (which is extremely important if you've only been exposed to Western countries' roles). I learned how to be more patient and more understanding of those that are different than me. I also gained friends from other parts of the world (within the US and from Thailand) that I can't wait to see again!

This program was helpful from the day that I was interested to the day that I returned. I am so glad that I chose to study abroad in Chiang Mai with TEAN especially for their availability, value, immersion to the culture, and overall experience! Chiang Mai was filled with many unique restaurants and activities that TEAN helped get my fellow peers and I well acquainted with. The program did a great job of introducing you to this foreign country and making you feel safe before you even board the plane to Thailand. The program is a good balance between academic rigor and enjoying being abroad. The TEAN staff was always available to answer questions or help with any issues. Safety was a huge concern for me prior to leaving, when in reality, I really should not have! I never felt unsafe. Thai locals are ready to help and are quite friendly. There is no doubt in my mind that I want to return to Chiang Mai and live there long term.

Studying abroad in Thailand was the best experience of my life to date. I anticipated that I was going to have an amazing time but never could have imagined all of the beautiful places, people, and things that I would encounter. From visiting the most ethical Elephant Nature Park, to spending at night at Buddhist temple, to visiting the Golden Triangle (where opium used to be traded for gold) - I had such a wide array of experiences and there was so much opportunity for cultural immersion. The city has an amazing atmosphere that encourages you to explore and engage with local Thai culture. Our class discussions turned into excursions where we could better contextualize what we had just learned about. Having class at a local silk factory or Buddhist temple is a once in a life time experience and TEAN helped facilitate all of these unique opportunities.