TEAN: Study Abroad in Thailand

I truly wish there was a more suitable word for my time abroad than a life-changing experience. Chiang Mai University classes expanded on topics rarely discussed in the United States and utilized the country around it for hands-on lessons, making going to class enjoyable and exciting. The things I learned through exploring Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Southeast Asia independently are things that can never be taught in an academic setting. Not only am I more aware of different cultures and lifestyles, but more accepting and willing to try new ideas. The people who I surrounded myself with brought out the best in me, through sharing experiences together and learning from their past experiences individually. After returning to America from Thailand, I feel there is a piece of me missing; a piece of my heart was left in the place I once called home. I am now able to reflect on so many wonderful memories of my time in Thailand and would highly recommend TEAN to any student looking to study abroad.

I have always been excited to travel abroad and choosing Chiangmai, Thailand as my destination was the best choice I could have made. I was instantly thrown into a culture I was very unfamiliar with, yet was welcomed with kindness and many smiles. TEAN offered a village homestay the first week we arrived, and this instant immersion into Thai culture formed the groundwork for the values we developed throughout this experience. As an art history major, I was in awe with the many beautiful temples I was able to visit and the local handmade artifacts I saw. Monk chats at these temples allowed me to further understand this Buddhist country. TEAN offered courses that allowed us to connect what we learned in class to the culture we were living in. I took a Contemporary Art course that allowed us to visit workshops, factories and museums. A Buddhist class I was enrolled in took a trip to a Buddhist temple for a meditation retreat. I loved the smell of food cooking on the sides of streets, the sound of motorcycles passing by and the sight of monks in their orange robes walking by. Thailand is a truly mesmerizing place that I was able to call home and TEAN allowed me to experience all that I could in these few months.

It was a great experience! I'm so glad I went to Thailand with a study abroad program so I could learn about the country more in-depth, and this program was a great way to do it. I loved being able to stay in the dorms and take classes at the host university, because it was a similar experience to being a student in that country and it allowed us to meet peers our own age. The class was really interesting, though not too challenging (which was perfect for experiencing the city). There were some very interesting field trips as a part of the class, like different temples and a weekend at a village. And of course the food was amazing, and not too expensive (if you stuck with Thai food). The timing worked out great with my schedule so I was able to do other things over the summer as well.

I would recommend TEAN's study abroad program again and again! I absolutely loved my experience with TEAN and the opportunity to live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. TEAN has a very respectable and responsible staff that are always there for the students. It was very comforting to have the TEAN staff at my side during the duration of my time abroad. I valued the unique excursions and field trips that TEAN designed to ensure each student could fully immerse in Thai culture. We had the opportunity to be partnered with Thai buddies who even took us out to eat local food and walk around town.

Studying abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand with TEAN has easily been one of my best decisions thus far. I was able to step out of my comfort zone and experience a one in a lifetime opportunity! One of my favorite memories from this program would be the one week home-stay we did in the beginning of the semester. Despite not knowing the language, I truly developed a relationship with my family that I'll never forget. My peers and I tasted authentic Thai food, planted rice in the open fields, and attended Buddhist ceremonies with our families. I received more than I could have imagined due to this trip - life-long friendships, a love for travel, and a home away from home.

I would absolutely recommend this program!

I went on TEAN's summer in Chiang Mai program. It was completely amazing. Staff are so supportive, friendly and helpful. I took Buddhism and Environmental Science and both classes were great, especially the Environmental Science one. TEAN really has a personalized feel, and they plan excursions such as The Elephant Nature Park (ethical elephant sanctuary) and Doi Suthep, along with a couple more. The housing is fine, I stayed in UniLoft which is dorm style and you actually have a private bedroom separate from your roommate which is great. I loved this program so much and my only wish is that I could've done it longer.

I went on TEAN's Summer in Thailand program and had the time of my life. I did the 7-week option. I took Buddhism in Southeast Asia the first session and Human Rights in Southeast Asia the second, and in between I went on TEAN's Souhtern Island excursion. I wanted to go to Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai, because of its unique blend of relaxed city life and natural landscape and its heavily Buddhist-influenced culture. Taking a Buddhism class in Thailand was a dream. I still can't believe I actually got to stay the night in a Thai Forest Tradition temple and follow the monk on his morning alms through a village. This is something I never could have dreamed of experiencing, and something that an average tourist just passing through would not be able to do. This is what I think is the greatest value of studying instead of just visiting Thailand: you get integrated into the culture, and you learn quickly to adapt.
Everyone I came across in Thailand was nothing less than welcoming and kind. If you follow TEAN's rules, especially the one prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle (the streets are crazy but the red truck/ tuk tuk/ grab drivers know what they're doing), you should be very safe. I never truly felt reason to fear for my safety in Chiang Mai.
The education was top-notch and the professors are very understanding of the fact that we are only there for a short period of time and desire time away from the actual studying part. I went to class for three hours Monday-Friday, giving ample time to visit places in the morning, afternoons, and weekends. The local TEAN staff members, Nala and Lauren, were extremely kind and always eager to help with anything.
If you're a nature lover, a culture/ religion enthusiast, or an adventure seeker, Thailand is the perfect place to study. There are beautiful nearby hiking trails, waterfalls, tons of museums and temples, active nightlife, amazing food everywhere, many types of markets, and so much more. I am incredibly happy that I did this program, it has truly been the greatest experience of my life so far. I met beautiful friends both from TEAN and local Thai students. If you have any desire to do this, do it!

There is so much to tell about my experience! But I'll keep it to the major things.
Overall, Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai University were amazing and if I had the chance to go back tomorrow, I 100% would.
The Thai people we met along the way were so helpful and kind and happy to have us around.
I took the Buddhism in Thailand course, and it was the most eye opening and informational course. I learned so much about Thai religion, and subsequently culture, tried meditation for the first time, visited numerous temples, had chats with multiple monks and nuns, and got to experience an overnight stay in a forest temple in the Li district.
I think having the opportunity to meditate in a forest temple was a truly once in a lifetime experience. I had a moment of solitude, sitting in front of this 50 foot Buddha statue, attempting a meditation, where I realized that this is probably the only time in my life I will get to do anything close to this. It was humbling and I feel lucky to have experienced it.

The experiences outside of class were amazing too, especially the elephant nature park and our trip to Krabi, Thailand. Seeing the elephants in their natural habitat was breath taking and seeing the enormous cliffs in the southern islands rising out of this beautiful bright aqua water was absolutely mesmerizing.

Overall, I cannot recommend this trip enough. If you have the chance to do it, do it.

Before studying abroad, I knew almost nothing about Thailand. Now I feel like I am (almost) an expert! This country is amazing. From is history, to it's people, to the amazing scenery, I loved everything about this trip. I had the opportunity to participate in a village home-stay, spend a day in the Elephant Nature Park and even climb up waterfalls! I can't wait to go back someday, and hopefully bring my family along.