Location
  • Thailand
    • Bangkok
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Accounting Anthropology Art History Asian Studies Biology Business Chemistry Communications Culinary Arts Cultural Studies Design Earth Sciences East Asian Studies Ecology Economics Education Engineering Finance Food Science and Nutrition Graphic Design Health Sciences Hospitality International Business International Relations Language Studies Marine Biology Marketing Nursing Performing Arts Physics Political Science Psychology Statistics Theater Tourism +25

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
9990
Price Details
Price may be an estimate, the lower end of a range, or from a previous term. Please see our website for specifics.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Travel Insurance
What's Included (Extra)

Please see our website for all that's included.

May 01, 2023
Aug 29, 2023
37 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Immerse yourself in the welcoming Thai culture on this program in partnership with Mahidol University, Thailand’s top-ranked university. Choose from a wide variety of courses in English from the university’s International College (MUIC). Based in Salaya, MUIC provides a comfortable campus setting on the outskirts of Bangkok. When you're looking for some action, enjoy easy access to the heart of Bangkok by private van, skytrain, or taxi. The rest of Thailand also awaits you, with its beaches, jungles, and delicious cuisine.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Wide range of course offerings instructed in English
  • Medium-sized International College ideal for study abroad participants
  • Opportunities to interact with elephants and explore ancient ruins
  • Take classes with Thai and international students
  • Volunteer in the local community: replant mangroves that were deforested due to overfishing

Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships and Financial Aid

70% of all CISabroad students receive scholarships, grants, or discounts to study abroad. We're unapologetically committed to increasing access to international education for all students.

Value
$250 - $500

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating
based on 21 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.48%
  • 4 rating 9.52%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.1
  • Support 4.35
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 21 reviews
Default avatar
Praewa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIS Semester Abroad in Thailand SP23

I absolutely loved studying abroad at Mahidol University in Thailand. In the classroom, I formed bonds with my fellow classmates and professors and it was enlightening to gain insight and knowledge from people with different backgrounds. Beyond the academic realm, there were bustling markets, temples, serene landscapes and gorgeous beaches which made every week feel like a new adventure. Overall, this experience enriched my worldview, fostering a deeper appreciation for interconnectedness. For anyone seeking an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and cultural immersion, Thailand undoubtedly offers an unparalleled adventure.

Pros
  • Making friends
  • Trying new foods
  • Traveling
Cons
  • Language barrier
  • Cost
  • Having to adapt to a different academic curriculum
29 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIS Abroad Thailand Experience

Studying in Thailand through CIS was truly the best decision I've ever made. Aside from all the amazing wonders of just being in Thailand, the best part of my experience was the CIS family. Having such a tight-knit, funny, and supportive group of students (and also program directors) enriched my time greatly. The friendships I made through CIS helped me learn so much more about myself and gave me the confidence to grow while abroad. My favorite trips were the ones organized by CIS (Cambodia and Chiang Mai) because we didn't have to put any work into the planning - we just got to have a blast with each other. I could go on and on about how much I treasured my time with CIS but I don't have the time for that. You're gonna have to take my word for it.

Pros
  • Meaningful cultural experiences
  • Delicious food
  • Hilarious people
Cons
  • Went by too quickly
29 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alayna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Bangkok, Thailand

A semester in Thailand was an incredible experience. From the cultural immersion to the nearly-every-weekend travels, I learned so much and worked past challenges that led me to grow as an individual tremendously. If I had never studied abroad in Asia with a program then I am not sure if I ever would have discovered all of the countries and activities that I have after college. CIS Abroad was visibly the best program to be a part of during the semester with the planned trips and amazing staff. I would do another semester abroad if I could!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be aware of the challenges that are common with tourists. Things WILL happen but it is unstoppable and what matters is how you deal with it. Some things that happened to me that I was able to learn from were people will try and get more money out of you. When paying a bill and you need change, try and give as close to the payment as possible. Do not give your big bills here for change, just go to 7/11. Taxi drivers may try and charge you more halfway through the ride. Just stick with the original agreement and have the tourist police number handy in case the driver makes a scene which will usually only happen when nobody else is around. Use as much of the language as possible as locals will appreciate it and will be more willing to help you. Know that issues will arise and be confident you can work past them.
101 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jeremy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIS Abroad- Semester in Thailand

CIS Abroad made my experience incredible. From a few days after we arrived abroad, we had an orientation before classes started where the taught us some of the local culture and language, brought us to the mall to explore and purchase cell phone plans, as well as assisting us with any questions we had right off the bat. Throughout the program as well, staff were always willing to answer questions and were available to help most of the time. They helped organize various tours and programs during our time abroad which was a great way for us to enjoy the experience even more without being burdened by the pressure of planning all o f our own trips. I would highly recommend CIS abroad to anyone looking to study abroad especially in Thailand. They really made our experience great.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
We were able to try everything from Scorpions to Spiders at the local market street Called Khao San Road. One of my favorite places to spend nights out.
116 people found this review helpful.
Response from CIS Abroad

Thank you for your review, Jeremy! It's so good to know that our on-site staff were so helpful during your arrival and throughout your time abroad. We're so glad you enjoyed the excursions and you had such a great experience in Thailand. We appreciate your recommendation!

Default avatar
Nora
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Thailand: Mahidol University

What I enjoyed most about being a part of CIS Semester Abroad in Thailand was the sense of community and closeness that the program facilitated. I enjoyed that the program had pre-planned excursions and trips that included everyone in the program. It gave me an easy way to connect with other students studying abroad in Thailand and it made it effortless to make such a close knit group of friends. The pre-planned trips by CIS are what I looked forward to most while I was abroad because I knew we were always going to do something amazing and I got to be with everyone I had come to be close friends with. It also made planning trips less of a hassle because the program had everything planned out for us already when we went on group trips. I would always suggest that students participating in a CIS study abroad program take advantage of the pre-planned trips and try to go on them whenever they possibly can.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My biggest piece of advice would be to take risks. I seriously had such an enjoyable time abroad because I did things I would have never pictured myself doing before this experience. This could range from anywhere between trying a new meal or traveling to a secluded, rural part of the country you are studying in that tourists would not normally go to. For example, I traveled to rural Vietnam and did a homestay with a Vietnamese family during my school break. I had to travel 3 hours from a main city on a small, cramped bus where no one could speak English or communicate clearly with me. I would have turned around before my abroad experience, however I knew I had to push myself and do something I wasn't necessarily comfortable with in order to gain an authentic experience. I am so glad I chose to do this homestay because I got to learn so much about Vietnamese culture that I otherwise would not have learned if I had merely just visited the main, touristy parts of Vietnam. The family I stayed with taught me all about Vietnamese history and taught me how to cook Vietnamese dishes, which are delicious! I would encourage students to travel as much as they can while abroad and take the risks that I did. During my time studying in Thailand, I got to visit 5 other countries which included Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam. I got to visit elephants, go hot air ballooning, zip line through the jungle, try food I had never even heard of and completely immerse myself into Southeast Asian culture. It is because of my willingness to stray outside of my comfort zone that I had such an amazing experience abroad, and I would encourage any student considering studying abroad to do the same.
92 people found this review helpful.
Response from CIS Abroad

Hi Nora! We're excited to hear that you had such an amazing experience abroad! It's so wonderful that that you were able to get out of your comfort zone, travel to so many other countries, and experience so much of what Southeast Asia has to offer. We really appreciate you sharing your experience with us!

Default avatar
Linden
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Comfortable in Another Culture

CISabroad coordinated airport picks up, which trust me, after coming off from a 17.5-hour flight from China, and another 2-hour flight to Bangkok was NECESSARY. Getting to the housing to the airport was very easy. It struck me on my first night there, after I had walked to 7/11, how natural I felt there. A the pre-departure orientation at my university a representative from CIS came who has been to the university in Thailand. She was able to outline for me what just some day to day things I could expect are. Like wearing a uniform, eating at 7/11 and the importance of carrying cash (fun fact! many places in Thailand don't take credit card). I felt supported when I was there enough so that I could live my life in the way that I wanted to abroad. I couldn't have done it without CIS!

What would you improve about this program?
I think that CIS should offer more support in obtaining the student visa. And I don't think they should list the Mahidol program as being in Bangkok! In reality, students live and go to school about 30 minutes from the outskirts of Bangkok. This wasn't a bad thing AT ALL! It was so much more of local life. Not a lot of the business spoke English and things are a lot cheaper outside of the city.
102 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Thailand

Thailand was an absolutely incredible time. During my stay there, I traveled to Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, which was done with ease due to our close proximity to the travel-hub of Bangkok. I haven't stopped talking about the trip since I returned to the US, and can't wait to start planning another trip back to Southeast Asia. Everyone that I met brought something truly unique to the experience & I will always cherish it. Southeast Asia was the perfect balance of culture, nature, and urban/rural life that kept every day & excursion exciting.

108 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Living in the Land of Smiles!

When I decided to pack a suitcase and board a 23 hours flight to Bangkok, Thailand, I did not know much about the country. I really only knew where it was on a map. I was extremely nervous, but I could tell it was an excited nervous. Thailand is known as the land of smiles, and for good reason! Their culture is warm and welcoming, to say the least. What is unique about Thailand is their beautiful temples, delicious food, and islands. Once you are in the country, you can spend a day eating, shopping, and traveling to islands for less than $50. It is a simple, breathtaking, and life changing experience.

What would you improve about this program?
N/a
95 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story

Questions & Answers

Hi! I took three hospitality classes while I was there (Consumer Behavior in Tourism, Tour Package Management, and Wine Studies and Wine Tourism). I didn't find these classes too difficult, and the homework load was definitely manageable (honestly, not that much at all). Some of my friends who took more business-oriented classes, such as accounting or finance, thought those classes were a bit more...