THAILAND FIELD TRIPS
KEI organizes cultural activities and field trips during the program. Transportation, lodging and admission for planned activities are included in the program fee. Below are the most commonly organized field trips. KEI reserves the right to change planned activities for destinations of equal value and interest. Field trips may change based on availability, local festivals and interest. Academic year and multiple term students participate on planned field trips during their first term of study.
Bangkok
Trimester, Summer & BioCEP
Bangkok has much to offer. Students will visit temples, the Royal Palace and other culturally significant sights. Some activities take places during the orientation, using public transportation so that students learn how to navigate the city.
Ayutthaya
Trimester, Summer & BioCEP
Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. Ayutthaya’s ideal location between China, India and the Malay Archipelago made it a trading capital of Asia. By 1700 Ayutthaya had become the largest city in the world with a total of 1 million inhabitants. It was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century. Its remains, characterized by the prang (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries, remind us of its past splendour. Ayutthaya was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Don Wai Floating Market
Trimester, Summer & BioCEP
The floating market at Wat Don Wai is a popular destination. It is located on the Nakhon Chai Si River, about 30 km from Bangkok, and retains the appearance of a market dating back to King Rama. The food stalls are actually on solid ground, overlooking the river. It’s a great place to pick up local food. You can also eat in one of the many restaurants that border the river.
Ko-Samet Island
Trimester only
This lovely island has one of the most pristine beaches in Thailand. Not far from Bangkok, it is popular with Thais seeking a peaceful escape from the city.
Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai)
Trimester only
The 3 to 4 day excursion through Northern Thailand will stop at several places, notably the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Weather permitting, students will also visit tribal areas in the Northern jungle.
Formerly, Chiang Mai stood on an ancient trade route. It is well known for the number of sumptuous Buddhist temples dating back to the 14th century. Students also visit the Umbrella and Silk Factory (or similar), a long-standing handcraft in Chiang Mai. In Chiang Rai, students can stand on the hill of the Gate of Siam and see over the Mekong River to Laos. The city is the gateway to the “Golden Triangle,” the area where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
TESTIMONIALS
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My experience in Thailand was beyond incredible, more like life changing. The different places, the food, the people and other aspects of the rich culture in Thailand made my stay there an unforgettable one. View (KEI Onsite Director) played a critical role in making our semester abroad enjoyable and educational. A lot of time and effort was dedicated in planning activities for my peers and I. We visited different beautiful areas, such as the Island of Kho Samet, the Grand Palace, ChiangMai, Bangkok and many other places.I am a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. So the courses I took were science-based; although I did complete an exciting Thai Language and Culture course. The teaching styles were different but with proper time management, it is more than possible maintain excellent grades while exploring all Thailand has to offer.The KEI program arranged for housing that was conveniently located within walking distance of Mahidol University. The people in the community were very pleasant and accepted us with open arms.Thank you KEI for this amazing program!
Thailand is completely amazing. I am meeting so many amazing people and learning tons about the cultural constructs here in Bangkok and greater Thailand. I’m making my way around quite well, and pick things up even faster.Garret (my roommate) and I have hit it off really well and have met quite a few Thai friends who we have been hanging out with a ton. We’ve done some travelling; we went to Erawan National Park as well as all the trip that you guys at KEI have helped to set up with View. They have been amazing.I thank KEI for putting in so much effort in accommodating us and making sure we are comfortable. From the accommodations to the trips it has all be so wonderful. It seems like we are getting more special treatment than others and I could not thank you more for the experience you have helped to foster.If you are interested in finding out more about what I’ve been up to. My blog can be found at blog.kevinroemer.com and I also created a website with Brittany Raab to bring insight into Thai culture by showcasing Thai individuals we have had experiences with along the way. You can find that at peopleofthailand.net its really quite interesting. Perhaps you can share it along if you like and follow we are constantly adding more people.Thanks again for everything.
Yep: things are going great! Rebecca and I are loving our classes. We had a good day with the KEI Director yesterday at the Royal Temple and a few Wats. However, my favorite part of the day was, upon coming back from dinner, we saw Tierra and one of the female staff here out playing some badminton in the street. We took the opportunity and joined them, and had a blast! Sean and Cashauna played some, as well. It was a great getting to know the staff a bit better – giggles are a common language! Read our blog…
The time I had in Thailand was amazing that I can’t believe I was away for three months! From the day I arrived in Thailand until the day everyone said their last good-byes at the farewell dinner, were the best moments of my life. There is no other thing I would add to change the Thailand program. Thank you KEI for letting me have the experience of a lifetime.
Thailand is great. Very different in almost every way, but at the same time it allows us to see the world in another light besides our American way of thinking and doing things. I am really enjoying Thailand. View (KEI Director) is so sweet and she tries her hardest to make sure we all are enjoying ourselves. Today is Quin’s birthday and yesterday was Amanda’s birthday and View came over with cake and ice cream so it turned into a mini birthday party which was nice. Last weekend we all went to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and we had a blast! We did so much, but my favorite had to riding the elephant and visiting the white temple.
I love Thailand! I just got back from the best weekend. My roommates and a bunch of kids from Germany, Italy and Netherlands went to a place called RCA, a street lined with dance clubs. The next day we spent shopping at JJ Market.I love my [clinical] internship. Each week my schedule changes and I shadow someone different. This week I work at Siririja Hospital in the mornings and go to Pinklao OPD in the afternoons. The staff is extremely helpful and very young so I felt very comfortable with them. Also I have lots of interaction with the patients so that was very nice.I have met so many awesome Thai students. The people are more than hospitable. They also love to practice their English. Read my blog…
I absolutely love KEI. I compared KEI with CIS and AsiaLearn and not only is it cheaper, you get much much more for your money. KEI makes sure students are well informed and looked after before and during their study abroad experience. And, teh cultural excursions were well prepared and amazing. I want to thank KEI and View (KEI Onsite Director), for everything you did for me. I will continue to promote KEI to everyone I know. If only you offered a grad school program and I promise I would be the first to apply. Thank you again!
First off, Thailand was an amazing, eye-opening experience that has changed my life permanently. I have really learned so much about myself and what makes all the cultures around the world the same, I loved the experience.So a big thanks to KEI for my study abroad. The international relations office is exemplary, they are so friendly and helpful. Thank you for a life changing 7 months. I will recommend to all my friends to study through KEI.
We have been non-stop with school and all our travels. There were so many professors from so many different places at the University, so they knew a lot about many subjects. I am definitely having an amazing time, and I love it even more every time I think about all the snow and freezing weather back home!
I loved the program. It was awesome. The office staff, international friends, accommodations, school, everything. I wish I were still in Bangkok. I want to go back!!!
Life in Thailand is Wonderful! The excursions have been so fun and the scenes so beautiful.
View my photo album…
This was a GREAT, AMAZING program in which I met the most amazing people. It was an unforgettable experience, sometimes hard to put into words. So thank you, KEI, for this program. I will recommend it!
Your program changed my life!
