I've Had the Time of My Life and I Owe it All to You, Chiang Mai

After a lot of careful research, I chose to study abroad in Chiang Mai with The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) because they were quick and informative in responding to my questions. I was so glad I did. TEAN coordinators stayed in contact with me throughout my stay in the second largest city in Thailand, providing tips about where to travel to and how to make the most of my time in Southeast Asia. Through TEAN, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a Thai elementary school with adorable little kids. I also took classes at Chiang Mai University, where I got to learn about Southeast Asian politics and religion from a mix of Thai and American professors. We took numerous field trips, including a four-day homestay in a rural Thai village and an exploration of the refugee crisis on the Thai-Burmese border. Analyzing the foreign influences, politics and cultural values of Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations helped me critically examine my own country. Throw in some amazing tropical fruits and a visit to an elephant sanctuary, and I would say TEAN is the best Thailand experience out there.