sawatdee from thailand: my semester in bangkok
TRANSCRIPT
+ สวั�สดี�Sawatdee from Thailand:My Semester in Bangkok
Jennifer Noinaj03/12/10
+
Agenda
Sawatdee!
About Thailand
Thammasat University
American vs Thai Life
Travel Experiences
Take-aways
About me
2 Thai parents
Cash strapped student
Avid domestic traveler
6 months in Thailand
Less than comfortable understanding of the language
=
+ RESEARCH
+Thailand: The land of smiles.
Capital: Bangkok
Population: 63 million
Language: Thai
Climate: Tropical (82-95°F)
“Sanuk” lifestyle
Exotic yet modern
Most popular destination in SE Asia
+ Thammasat Programs
Tha Prachan Bachelor’s of Business Administration (BBA), Thai Studies,
Bachelor’s of Economics (BE), British and American Studies (BAS)
Rangsit
Pattaya & Lampang Centre
BBA International program – very competitive 600 students overall US, Canadian, Australian, Swiss, Swedish, Danish,
Norwegian, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, & more!
+Uni & Classes
1. Principles of Marketing2. Principles of Management3. Marketing Research4. Intermediate Thai Language & Culture5. Product and Brand Management
+Class Structure
Excellent professors
Integrated classrooms
Language of Instruction: English
Class Size: 20 – 60 students
Teaching Methods: Lectures, case analyses, papers, projects, presentations, exams
Class Format: Two 1.5-hour lectures/wk or 3-hour lecture/wk
Attendance: Mandatory with a minimum of 70% attendance to take exams
Logistics
Exchange student orientation
Cafeteria
Uniforms
Phones
Banks
+ Offered Excursions & Activities
BBA Farewell dinner
EAP Thanksgiving dinner
Grand Palace trip
Ayuttaya field trip
Cruise down the Chao Praya river
Spa trip to Ranong
Law Trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan
Clubs: Meditation, Thai kick-boxing (Muy Thai), Thai cooking
Housing Find roommates beforehand or during orientation
Different types of apartments & condominiums
Scattered around the city
Wide price ranges from $100/mo - $1,000/mo
+
Transportation
BTS (Bangkok Skytrain) & Bangkok Underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
Buses (BMTA, Bangkok Metropolitan Transit Authority)
Taxis
Motorbikes
Other modes
Ferries, express boats, river taxis Tuk-tuks
+Cost Savings
Fall Semester Budget Sheet for SAO Exchange: Thammasat University
SAO Admin Fees $1,005
CISI Insurance $115
Illinois Range IV Tuition $891
Billable subtotal: $2,011
Housing ($150/mo) $900
Meals ($7/day) $1,200
Books and Supplies $100
Roundtrip Airfare $2,000
Personal Expenses $3,000
Non-billable subtotal: $7,200
Total: $9,211
A Semester at Illinois Cost
Tuition $5,580
Room & Board (20 meals/wk) $4,380
Books & Supplies $840
Other expenses $1,000
Semester Total: $11,800
+
External Influences
Cyclone Nargis in Burma
Thai-Cambodian border disputes
Internal political instability – closing down of Suvarnabhumi
Death of the King’s older sister: Princess Galyani Vadhana
+ Cultural Differences
Street cred for being a “Thammasat inter student” vs a tourist
Different conceptions of beauty
Shopping – bartering
Conservative dress
+
the “wai”
+Food
Very big part of Thai culture
Food in the States is not representative of how it is in the country it’s from (explain)
One of the best parts about being in Thailand
Vegetarian options
Lots of fresh fruit and street vendors – a word of caution!
+
Travels outside of ThailandGreat chance for me to experience “culture shock”
+ Laos
+ Cambodia
+
Vietnam
+Malaysia
Best Memories
+Struggles
Stray dogs
Getting scammed
Being a majority
Lèse majesté & The Royal Family
+Back at Home
Stay involved
Keep in contact with your friends
Reach out to other interested students
Study abroad again
+What I learned
Try anything once
Don’t take life or anything for granted
Materialism doesn’t bring happiness
Don’t sweat the small things
Things don’t always go your way, and that’s okay
Feel free to make your own adventure
+ Thanks for listening
