THAILAND STUDENT LIFE
Bangkok is a fun city with many entertainment and recreational options. Students will find everything from historic sites, pristine beaches, Buddhist park, wildlife, nightclubs, cafes, and much more. In addition to KEI-organized cultural activities and field trips, students enrolled in a trimester program are encouraged to participate in campus clubs and events.
Student Clubs
Art Club
The MUIC Art Club provides training and support for students interested in a variety of art forms through regular classes and workshops. Members also engage in an annual field trip and display their work at exhibitions.
Cheer & Dance Club
Cheer and Dance Club members engage in weekly practice sessions and perform publicly for major events and competitions. The club focuses on three genres: American dance, Thai cheerleading, and Capoeira
Choir Club
The Choir Club was established for lovers of music who are interested in developing their vocal skills and aesthetic sensibilities; their practice sessions are available for MUIC students, teachers and staff members.
Cycling Club
The Cycling Club provides an opportunity for students to improve their physical fitness and enjoy the scenic venues on their cycling excursions. The club also successfully participates in local and national competitions.
Debate Club
The Debate Club is one of the most respected debate teams in Southeast Asia. The team regularly participates in national, regional and international competitions. In 2002, the Club hosted over 100 teams at the All-Asian Debate Competition at MUIC, the largest All-Asian Debate ever held in the region. The MUIC debating teams have won 5 national tournaments, were designated as the top debating enterprise in Asia by the United Asian Debating Championship and are ranked 65 in the world.
Diving Club
The Diving Club enables members to explore Thailand’s marine environment and makes diving lessons more affordable for students. Club members and other students alike become more environmentally aware of the importance of beaches and coral reefs. The club activities focus on diving safety and ocean conservation.
Inner Peace Club
The Inner Peace Club, one of the newest clubs at MUIC, promotes the benefits of Buddhist meditation to all MUIC students by engaging in meditation exercises on a weekly basis. The club encourages everyone to join, particularly foreign national students.
Karate-Do Club
Members of the MUIC Karate-Do Club practice several times each week, compete in a number of different tournaments and participate in training camps during the year. The club has done well in competitions but focuses more on experience and personal growth.
Kendo Club
Kendo is the Japanese martial art of sword fighting and means “ways of the sword.” The Kendo Club is one of the newer clubs at MUIC and provides training for interested students. Members are currently preparing to join Kendo tournaments and compete with other universities.
Math Club
The Math Club emphasizes student perceptions in mathematics by solving variables and engaging in algebraic operations. The club also introduces the abstract concepts behind mathematics, ranging from game theory to fractal geometry. Pre-testing is a major activity that will be organized before midterm and final examinations and will serve as a simulation of the real exams.
Muay Thai Club
The Muay Thai Club teaches participants about traditional Thai boxing. In addition to teaching martial art skills, the club’s activities focus on teaching students the cultural significance of the sport.
Multicultural Club
The Multicultural Club provides students with an exposure to different cultures and promotes multiculturalism which is beneficial for students who live in a diverse community. One of its priorities is to create a strong relationship between Thai and foreign-national students.
Music Club
The Music Club allows students to get together for practice sessions and performances. It also invites professional groups to perform on-campus. Every year the club organizes concerts and encourages students to participate in competitions.
Nature Lovers Club
The Nature Lovers Club, formerly known as the Apple Tree Club, was inaugurated to educate students about environmental issues and their impact on their daily lives as well as to create a passion for a sustainable environment.
Photography and Multi-media Club
The Photography and Multi-media Club gives members an opportunity to learn more about photography and multi-media technology. Activities also include the application of multi-media computer technology for multi-media presentation. Instruction on film photography is available for those who are interested.
Rakkaew Club
The MUIC Enactus Club is a chapter of an international network of student leaders representing more than 1,400 universities in 48 countries that mobilizes students to create economic opportunities for others. Despite the diversity of their backgrounds, these students are brought together by a common desire to lead, inspire and make a difference. The club has undertaken several projects that have made a difference to the local community. Its projects, such as the Parachute Rice Plantation, have been internationally recognized for their success.
Science Society
The Science Society Club is represented by students majoring in science (AP, BI, CH, etc.). The members are responsible for disseminating academic information and organizing events specific to their majors.
Social Dance Club
Social Dance Club members have performed at dinners and events at both MUIC and MU. The club also offers members the opportunity to participate in field trips to watch local, national and international competitions and to compete in them as well.
Sports Club
The Sports Club is part of the MUIC Health Education Program. Competitions are organized between different leagues during the academic year. Normally, a team will practice two to three times a week. There are three different sports activities at MUIC: soccer, basketball and volleyball. Tryouts for newcomers are held every trimester. In the second trimester several league matches are held while the third trimester features the International Sports Competition and the Freshy Games.
Thai Music Club
Thai music is one of the essential mechanisms in Thai culture. It represents wisdom, creativity and conceptuality of our ancestors. This aesthetic is passed on from generation to generation, and should be preserved as a symbolic art of the country. Unfortunately, the intervention of western cultures has caused the downward trend in Thai music.
As being a part of Mahidol university International College, the land of wisdom that provides education internationally. Our determinations are to establish Thai music club within the campus and to be able to inherit what our ancestors had provided for us.
THM Club
The THM Club was established by tourism and hospitality management students with the aim of developing a mastery in the fields of tourism and hospitality management through invited guest speakers and alumni. The club also organizes activities which generate more knowledge in terms of focusing on career paths, strengthening bonds and creating networks among THM students.
Volunteer Club
Members of the Volunteer Club are committed to helping others. Each year the club sets up a volunteer camp for ten days in a different part of rural Thailand. Participants at the camp teach children English and general hygiene, build new classrooms as well as repair libraries and other facilities. The volunteers also raise funds for their projects.
Value Investment Club
The Value Investment Club provides its members opportunities to learn about and make investments, particularly in the stock market in Thailand. By using a variety of value investment tools in different markets around the world, members are able to explore the value of stocks from each country. Moreover, members evaluate valued stocks through fundamental and technical analyses.
Writer’s Club
The Writer’s Club encourage students to use their creativity and develop their skills in writing, translation, teaching, photography, and design. One of the club’s main project is the Mahidol University International College Experience magazine (ICEmag), which is a trimester-issue magazine.
Young Professionals Club
The Young Professionals Club aims to offer general knowledge and professional understanding of business case analyses. The club provides different kinds of training for club members in order to enhance their presentation skills. Throughout the term, the club engages in several national business competitions with the intention of gaining first-hand experience and making a name for MUIC.
Housing & meals
MUIC is located in Salaya, a tranquil neighborhood in the Bangkok Metro Region. Students live in MUIC-affiliated housing off-campus. The residences provide the opportunity for international students to meet and learn about each other. KEI students usually stay at the Bundit House, although other housing options may be used depending on availability. Bedrooms are double-occupancy with bathroom. Residences have air conditioning and laundry facilities.
There are several cafeterias and cafes on campus, and a cafe at Bundit House. Additional restaurants and cafes can easily be found near campus and throughout Bangkok. Thai food is relatively inexpensive. You can have a full meal for less than 50 THB (approximately $1.50). Thai food can be spicy or subtle, depending on who prepares it. The ideal Thai meal is a harmonious blend of spicy, subtle, sweet and sour, and equally pleasing to the eye, nose and palate. Thailand boasts one of the most diverse cuisines in the world.
Note: Students participating in the BioCEP (winter intersession) program, will stay in a hotel in central Bangkok.
Getting around town
Salaya is approximately 20 miles from central Bangkok. Depending on traffic conditions and mode of transportation, commute time varies from 30 minutes to 2 hours. There are several ways to get around town.
Taxis are by far the safest and quickest way to travel. And best of all… they are not expensive. An average taxicab ride will cost $1 to $3.
Buses are another safe mode of transportation. Large buses operate on set routes and can be boarded at any stop. Tickets are inexpensive (10 to 50 cents) and can be purchased on board.
Tuk tuks are another traditional form of transportation, more commonly known as motorized rickshaws. These small vehicles are well-adapted to the tight Bangkok traffic. Fees are negotiated with the driver. Tuk tuks may be fun to try once, but are not the safest mode of transportation. We encourage students to use buses and taxis.
Metro is also available in central Bangkok. Unfortunately, it is limited to the downtown area but there are plans to expand.
ONSITE DIRECTOR
marisa@KEIabroad.org
Bangkok/Salaya, Thailand
I was born in Evanston, Illinois but moved to Thailand when I was 6 years old. My family lived in Chiang Mai, a beautiful city in north of Thailand, which we will visit during the program.
I earned Bachelor and Master degrees from Chiang Mai University. Before joining KEI, I worked at Stamford International University in the Student Life Department. My main responsibility was assisting students from all over the world. I enjoy working with students and look forward to helping you make the most of your time in Thailand. I can’t wait for you to experience the Land of Smiles.
Do not hesitate to call or email me if you have questions. I am always glad to advise and help.
