Amazing Experience!

The academic template of CIEE’s courses built valuable skills for a professional resume, which set CIEE apart from other study abroad programs. The main development course was organized by five units where students were free to create and manage project ideas based on concerning issues.

CIEE organized exchanges with Government Officials, NGO’s, and villagers which was the best way for an International Development student to take any academic interests out of the classroom. The development units were greater than ourselves, we witnessed the resilience of local villagers by staying with families for a week and understanding the history behind their struggles. Host families treated us like their own and provided us with a plethora of traditional Isaan dishes.

When we were not on our unit visits, CIEE secured the group comfortably in dorm-style living that was air conditioned and a minute away from CIEE’s main facility. Khon Kaen University and its students were the surrounding environment. There were plenty of night markets and affordable eats (the meals being $1-$3). Our roommates were KKU students who were enrolled in English courses while we were enrolled in Thai language and culture classes to debrief on intercultural development.

Aside from living in Northeast Thailand, it was easy and cheap to visit the rest of the beautiful country. Chiang Mai, Pai, Krabi, and Koh Tao were my personal favorites. We got to experience all this amazing country had to offer (some moments felt like we were on vacation) while also working on development projects that we witnessed made a direct impact.

CIEE did a fine job of creating a flexible environment for students to discuss improvements, whether it was for academic purposes or even something as simple as making the student lounge more comfortable, our teachers always wanted us to be happy. My time in Thailand helped shape my career path based off the work I did with an amazing student group and teachers. I will be back!