Study Abroad in Thailand

The reasons for studying abroad with TEAN in Chiang Mai are so abundant. For me it was the perfect balance of academics, social life, volunteering, travel, culture and downtime. My classes were all relative to Thailand, and Southeast Asia and it was fascinating to learn about the region while living there. TEANs excursions were all incredible, the trip to Krabi (southern part of Thailand) was a definite highlight, as well as the monthly dinners and cooking class at the end of the semester. The TEAN staff were all incredible and such a pleasure to work with. If you choose to study abroad I have no doubt that it will be a highlight in your life and you will be so happy you chose to take a leap and do it! I know I am! :)

The five months I spent living in Thailand were the most amazing, action packed months of my life! I wouldn't trade it for the world. From helping me get my visa to booking me a hotel for a lengthy layover The Education Abroad staff had my back before I even touched down in Chiang Mai. We were given all (if not more) of the immersion usually only found in direct exchange programs on top of included excursions and on site directors who were always there when we needed them-- but had absolute independence when we didn't. I got to experience the awe inspiring Yi Peng lantern festival, feed Asian elephants, and explore Thailand's captivating southern islands. But if someone was to ask me what was hands down my favorite part of this experience-- I would have to say my roommate. TEAN matches each of their students with a local roommate which really shaped my time abroad. She honestly became my sister, my best friend. She and her family were always having me over to their home and would frequently take me out to dinner or to festivals. She introduced me to her friends and helped me experience the real Chaing Mai. One of my favorite memories was driving up to the top of Mt. Doi Suthep with her and standing there mouth agape as we looked over the whole city, lit up like stars that night. Integrating into the Thai community can be difficult, but The Education Abroad Network made it easy; I made Thai friends that I know I will have for life.

With the country being 95% Buddhist I never felt unsafe once while in Chiang Mai. TEAN offers support when needed and guides you on prepaid adventures but also lets you explore on your own as much as you'd like!

I am a heritage student from Kentucky and signed up to study summer school through TEAN at Chiang Mai University. I was enrolled into three classes total: Thai Language, Cultural Foundations of Thai Society, and Thai Dance. For school, we had to wear a uniform that consists of white tops, black skirts (long pants for boys), and a belt.

The staff of TEAN and the professors who taught my classes were all so nice and helpful, also extremely enthusiastic with their jobs and actively wanted me and my peers to enjoy our time in Chiang Mai. We were put in a dorm called Uniloft with a Thai roommate--which made the program even better. The dorms were really nice, clean, and had air conditioning (oh and a swimming pool and a 7-11!). All of the Thai roommates were awesome and helped ease us into Thai culture by teaching us things that you can't get in a classroom.

TEAN did a good job at making sure we were always comfortable and adapting well into our new environment, and provided us with various excursions (as well as academic field trips, which were also great).

Chiang Mai is a beautiful and generally safe city, filled with locals as well as foreigners since it is a cultural city with a big tourist business. Since this is a summer program, expect to run into plenty of people from all around the world. I made friends with Thais as well as Canadians, other Americans, Italians, etc. Also because this is a cultural city, you'll be surrounded by so much history. I fully took advantage of the fact that I was surrounded by museums, historical monuments, and hundreds of temples--as well as the old walls of the ancient city itself.

This program helped me to see my own country from a different point of view and realise how special and unique it is. If I could study abroad in Chiang Mai again I most definitely would. :)

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 way. From the minute I saw the city, I knew I was in the midst of an amazing adventure. It was love at first sight!
The orientation and the excursions were exceptional! I made amazing friends along the way too! 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. Overall, I can say only awesome things about my experiences with TEAN in Chiang Mai.

Going abroad with TEAN was the best 5 months of my life. Every aspect of my program helped me learn more about Thai culture. In classes, we learned about things that would make daily life easier and helped us understand more what was happening around us. Our teachers were friendly, helpful, and encouraging. Excursions with TEAN were unreal. From the gorgeous islands of Thailand to the historically rich north, we were able to see so much of this magnificent country. On our excursion to Bangkok, our teacher set up meetings with the former prime minister and current head of the Thai senate, opportunities that most Thai students never even have. Housing accommodations could not have been more perfect. At Uniloft I had everything I needed and felt safe and comfortable. My Thai roommate became one of my closest friends and showed and taught me things about Chiang Mai I would have never known otherwise. TEAN also helped me land my volunteer placements teaching English to local students and Burmese refugees. This was another way in which I was able to engage with Thai culture and get to know a different population of Chiang Mai residents.
Everyday since I left Thailand, I ache to be back there. TEAN gave me the best introduction and integration into this culture, and I can't wait to not only return to Thailand, but to explore the rest of the world. TEAN helped make me a more globally conscious person, and gave me the confidence to explore our world.

My study abroad trip was by far the best experience I have ever had. I had previously never been outside the country before so I was terrified, but it was worth it a million times over. The Education Abroad Network really built a perfect program. You live with a Thai roommate, instead of just your home group like most programs, which facilitates the learning of Thai culture exponentially. Plus, it allows for you to get a real experience of Thailand, rather than the touristy side of Thailand. Further, the program allows for a lot of freedom. I had class everyday for 3 hours a day but once class was over, I was able to go where I wanted and do what I wanted. They even gave students a one week break where we were seriously able to do what we pleased. For example, I took that time to relax at the beaches of Krabi (south Thailand), another student on the program took that time to go to Bangkok, and another student took that time to go to Laos. It was nice to have so much freedom because it allowed for us to get the most out of the program by our own means, whether that meant visiting temples, experiencing the nightlife, or living like a local. Something else that was really awesome about the program was the courses. I was hesitant about studying abroad because I felt as though taking classes while in another country would take away from the experience; however, it enhanced it. A lot of class time was spent in Thailand, rather than in a classroom. We learned by immersion, meaning that rather than trying to learn about Thailand by reading a textbook, we actually went to go see and experience it for ourselves. For example, in my Cultural Foundations of Thai Society course (I also took a Business in Southeast Asia course) we studied Buddhism for a week, and instead of just learning from powerpoints we went to go visit temples and talk to monks. I definitely don't regret choosing to take courses in Thailand, because the skills, ideas, and knowledge I gained in those courses have expanded my horizons both academically and personally.

Studying abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand through The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) was the best decision I have ever made. I cannot say enough good things about my experience in Chiang Mai. The program provided amazing support before the program as we prepared for our semester in Thailand and during the program, if we had questions about visas for travel outside of Thailand, if we wanted recommendations for restaurants or fun places to go out, pretty much anything we needed they were there to help. There are great excursions through TEAN, like to Krabi in the southern Thai islands, but the program is also flexible enough that you can travel on your own to other parts of Thailand or Southeast Asia. Living in Chiang Mai was unlike anything I have ever experience before: the Thai people could not be nicer, the city could not be more beautiful and vibrant, and the entire place is just bursting with color and life and delicious food and a million things to do. Living in Chiang Mai also provides such an incredible perspective on another part of the world - you will learn about Thai culture and customs, different religious beliefs, try new foods, and experience the way people live in other parts of the world. My heart belongs to Chiang Mai and always will, and I am so thankful to have studied abroad there with TEAN!