Thailand: Khon Kaen - Business, Marketing, Language, and More

Khon Kaen, Thailand (Spring 2024 - USAC Program)

I studied abroad in Khon Kaen, Thailand, for a semester from February to June 2024 with the USAC program. I chose Khon Kaen because of my deep interest in the Thai language, culture, and food, and I was excited to immerse myself in an entirely new environment.

Academics:
The academic structure in Khon Kaen was a bit different from what I was used to. All my classes were three hours long, and held once a week, as opposed to the typical 50-minute classes I’m accustomed to back home. While I didn’t love the longer class duration, I adjusted to it over time. The courses were taught in English, which made it easier to follow along, although it was challenging at times to fully engage with the material, especially since I was balancing a completely new environment and culture.

Cultural Experience:
Living in Thailand gave me the chance to fully immerse myself in the local culture. I was able to practice some of the Thai language I had learned and enjoyed participating in local traditions and activities. One of the highlights was my USAC program pairing me with a Thai buddy, who helped guide me through the country and introduced me to local spots. I’m deeply grateful for this connection because, as a foreign student, making local friends can be challenging, and I sometimes struggle to connect with others.

Accommodation:
I stayed in a dorm shared with both Thai and international students. While it was convenient, I didn’t have as much interaction with others as I would have liked. I spent a lot of time in my dorm alone, but my Thai buddy helped alleviate some of the loneliness by inviting me out and showing me around.

Social Life & Travel:
Exploring Khon Kaen was an exciting experience. On weekends, I would visit the night markets, which offered an array of food, snacks, clothing, accessories, and more. I also frequented local gyms, malls, and restaurants. Thanks to the guidance of the friends I made along the way, navigating these places was relatively smooth. I was able to experience Thai cuisine firsthand and enjoyed tasting a wide variety of dishes.

Although I did make a few friends from my classes and other international students, it was tough to find people with similar interests and vibes. That being said, I was lucky to meet some great individuals who made my time in Khon Kaen much more enjoyable.

Challenges:
Homesickness was something I struggled with at times. When I felt lonely, I found comfort in video calls with my family, which helped me stay connected with home. I also had moments when I felt out of place, especially since my dorm was often quiet and I was alone. However, my Thai buddy’s regular invitations to hang out made a significant difference, and I’m incredibly thankful for those moments of support.

Another challenge I encountered was the heat and humidity, particularly from March to June, as this is Thailand’s summer season. The weather was something to adjust to, and it definitely required a lot of hydration and energy to cope with the constant warmth. Also, for anyone with dietary restrictions, it’s important to note that pork is a staple in Thai cuisine, so it’s helpful to do some research on meal options ahead of time.

Advice for Future Students:
Learn Basic Local Phrases: Familiarizing yourself with basic Thai phrases can make daily interactions much easier and enrich your experience.
Embrace Travel: Take every opportunity to travel around Thailand and the surrounding region. It’s one of the best parts of studying abroad, and there’s so much to explore!

Be Prepared for the Heat: Thailand can be hot and humid year-round, especially during the summer months (March to June). Make sure to stay hydrated and pack accordingly.

Dietary Considerations: If you have dietary restrictions, do some research about the availability of food options and be mindful of the prevalence of pork in Thai cuisine.

Conclusion:
Overall, my study abroad experience in Khon Kaen was a memorable one. I had the opportunity to travel internationally for the first time, which was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. The excitement and positive mindset I maintained helped me navigate the challenges that came my way, and I’m grateful for the ups and downs of the journey. I met incredible friends who supported me throughout my experience, and I look back on my time in Thailand with gratitude. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to immerse themselves in Thai culture and explore Southeast Asia.
P.S. A lot of Thai food is spicy.

What can I say choosing to go to Thailand was a unique adventure, there is so much to see there and so much to learn at the same time! When I was looking for which country I should go my top three was Spain, France, and Thailand, I know it might sound crazy but I made that right chose in going to Thailand. In my few months living in Thailand it has been a great expense for me, there is so much that I have learned while living in Khon Kaen. One of my biggest change for me was the foods, mostly all the foods in Thailand is spicy but in my class of Thai language my teacher teach me how to say "no spicy" in Thai for me that was a big help!!! There is so much unique foods that I tasted over there! One of my favorite parts was going to a café, there are so many of them around the university and around the city with each one in a different atmosphere! There is a lot of night markets that I went to and it was fun and it was really fun buying a lot of clothes, books, and other stuff for my family!! Also the next things is that I have meet new friends a long the away while studying in living in Khon Kaen!!! Mean while living in Khon Kaen I travel to a few places like Ko Samui, Japan, South Korea, and Spain. While I was traveling to other place too I meet more friends around the world. Now I keep in touch with them, even though I live across the other side of the world. On my last day it was hard for my to say good bye to my new friends that I meet in the university, but I know that our paths will cross again one day! Over all this program has really opened my eyes and my mind to see how it really is in the world! I don't regret my decision that I made in going over there! For me I have grown as a person being away from my life for the first time and I have learned so much more of what I want to do in the future. Lastly I would recommend to any one that travel abroad is a great choose that they can do in there life, at first it can be hard but once you learn and experience a lot in a new country you'll want to travel again and again.

I had no idea what to expect coming to a rising city in the northeastern part of Thailand. What beauty and goodness this part of the world will bring to anyone’s life. I can’t believe I overlooked this program to begin with- went with my gut to study somewhere a bit more “out there”. I am so thrilled I chose to be here and cannot believe all the amazing things I’ve learned since arriving. Khon Kaen is authentic- it is real Thailand! There’s so many opportunities to get involved with the locals, meet people on campus, adventure to neighboring countries, and get to know the city. Endless cafes and study spaces, friendly people, and the best food you’ll ever taste. Although it’s not so well known as a common destination in Thailand, makes it all the more special getting to know an area so raw and real and untouched by mass tourism. Can’t reccomend this place enough!