The faculty director for the Spring 2019 Thailand program will be identified soon and the program will be based at Simpson’s partner institution, Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Simpson students will join other international students participating in this program operated by USAC (a consortium of US colleges and universities) in conjunction with Chiang Mai University (CMU) and its faculty to learn about Thailand, Thai language, Thai culture, and other relevant topics. All students will take three credits of Thai language, and then have the choice of a number of elective courses to choose from taught in English by CMU faculty. Elective courses are generally offered in the following subject areas: Sociology/Anthropology, Religion, Global Health, History/Political Science, and Economics. The Simpson program director will offer an elective course as one of the options students on the program can choose from. She/he will also lead a 4-credit reflection course (required of all Simpson students in the program), which will allow students to debrief and help each other better understand the cross-cultural experiences they are having. This program offers field trips, excursions, and cultural activities throughout the semester which provide students the opportunity to learn even more about Thailand and Thai culture. Cost of the program: To participate in the program, students pay Simpson tuition, room and board plus a program fee of between $3,000-$3,500 (actual costs will be announced later). In addition, students are also responsible for covering their air transportation costs to and from Chiang Mai (approximately $1,500-$1,800 from Des Moines). Requirements Students must take a one-credit hour orientation course during the fall semester preceding the semester in Thailand. Students must also have a grade point average of at least 2.5 both at the time of application for the program, and at the time of departure in order to be able to study abroad. You will be asked to sign up for a 15-minute interview with the Program Director and the International Education Director. Students will be notified of their status in the Thailand program during the week of Apr. 9, 2018. A second deposit payment of $300 will be due by Oct. 15, 2018. Final program payment is due to be paid with Spring Semester tuition, room, and board by January 4, 2019. For more information, contact: Jay Wilkinson Director of International Education 515-961-1288 (515) 961-1646
Quick Facts
Population: 67091089 Capital: Bangkok Per-capita GDP: $ 9500 Size: 513120 km2 Time Zone: (GMT + 07:00 hours) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
US State Department
Travel Warning: YES See : Country Specific Info.