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NSCS Academy Abroad – Thailand
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The Program
Academy Dates: June 9 - July 8, 2012
This four-week course is composed of three weeks of study as part of Payap University's "Southeast Asian Studies Summer School" program and one week of service learning in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The three week "Cultural Foundations of Thai Society" course introduces students to Thailand through a general survey of topics on Thai culture and society. The course combines classroom lecture and discussion with a variety of field experiences in Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand. It will focus on the changes and continuity of cultural practices and the major institutions of the country. Themes to be analyzed include history, religion, gender, customs, and identity. The course explores both explore empirical and normative questions about Thailand and emphasizes issues of cultural relativism and cross-cultural evaluation.
Students should be prepared for challenging individual and group activities outside the classroom. The course includes field trips and a short-term village homestay which provides an enriching insight into many different walks of life in Thailand. The program schedules some weekend activities but provides plenty of free time to meet Thai students at Payap and make new friends in Chiang Mai.
Additionally, a unique feature of this is the community service component as participants will spend the fourth week of the program participating in service learning projects within a variety of community organizations.
Academy Location
The program is based at Payap University in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is a 700-year-old city caught between two worlds. Thai tradition and customs are still very much alive in this city and they happily co-exist with modern Thailand. The city is most famous for having more than 300 Buddhist temples, and one of the most holy, Wat Doi Suthep, sits atop the mountain that overlooks the city. Chiang Mai is rife with festivals and is definitely the handicraft capital of Thailand with beautiful woodwork, jewelry and ceramics. The city also has a vibrant nightlife with many excellent restaurants and a lively music scene. Students will attend lectures on campus most mornings and participate in field excursions and cultural activities most afternoons. All courses follow their own programs and incorporate different field locations based on the academic content of the course.
Accommodations
All students will live on campus at Payap University in a modern student dormitory in a shared room. The spacious rooms house beds, desks, and wardrobes. Among the on-campus dormitories, you will find a dining room, lounge, and laundry. Each offers opportunities to chat with local students as well as other international students. Small comfortable hotels or village-style accommodations will be used throughout the remainder of the program dependent on program locations. All accommodations are in located in areas that allow students to safely enjoy the program destinations.
Credit
Participants in the program are able to obtain credits through universities and colleges in the United States. Grades will be posted on a Payap University transcript. Credit transfer (generally 3 - 4 U.S. credits per course/module, 6 – 8 credits total) is subject to home institution regulations so please consult your academic advisor for guidance.
Program Fee
The 2012 cost is $3,440 (NSCS members pay $3,190 after a $250 discount) plus an estimated $1,600 for international flights to Chiang Mai from the USA. The program includes all accommodation, orientation, ground transportation, academic credit from Payap University, various excursions and tours, and a partial meal plan (Monday - Friday; breakfast and dinner). Students will incur additional costs for personal spending, additional meals and extra travel. A full itinerary is provided upon application to the program.
Eligibility
In order to participate on the program students must be currently enrolled in a degree-granting institution, have completed one year of coursework on a college or university campus by the program start date, and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0. However applications will be reviewed by examining the student’s overall application materials including: Course of Study, Letters of Recommendation, and Personal Statement. If you fall below the GPA requirement, please contact The Education Abroad Network to discuss your eligibility to participate in the program. There are no pre-requisites required.
Scholarship Opportunity
NSCS is proud to present the Academy Abroad Scholarships, which encourage academic excellence through the study abroad experience. We at NSCS encourage all of our members to gain the global exposure and perspective that is so critical to remaining competitive in the modern workforce. We are pleased to offer the Academy Abroad scholarship to our members in order to help defray the cost of the of the Academy Abroad. There will be one $2000 scholarship awarded. For full details, click here.
Submitting an Application
Interested students can apply on-line via The Education Abroad Network's Virtual Application Manager (VAM).
Further details will be provided after the initial application is received.
Application Deadline: Applications are assessed on a rolling basis. We suggest interested students apply by April 15, 2012, to avoid disappointment.
A pre-departure package for the program will be sent to the applicant once accepted into the program.