Skip Navigation

International Programs

Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Spring 2009 Semester in Thailand is an intensive 16-week semester offering the unique opportunity to experience Thai life and understand Thai culture and society from an indigenous perspective. Students will be exposed to Thai society from a multidisciplinary perspective including history, sociology, anthropology, languages, politics, economics, education, family and religion. Students will also be provided with an internship experience that will enable them to draw from their Christian value commitments as they serve others in religious, governmental, and educational institutions.

Students live in the homes of carefully chosen Thai families in Chiang Mai, Thailand (the beautiful "Rose of the North" surrounded by mountains and with great climate), Many of the families with whom the students will live for eight weeks have successfully kept Spring Semester in Thailand students during previous years. The experience of a "homestay" is like no other. The student will be able to embrace the culture, customs, and language of the Thai people within the comfort of a family unit.

Throughout the entire program students will also take field trips throughout the country of Thailand and during April will live for a month in a Karen tribal village in the foothills of the Himalayas.

SPRING SEMESTER IN THAILAND PROGRAM
SPRING 2009

Chiang Mai University
Classes are taught by Professors Michael and Ann Leming as well as faculty from Chiang Mai University, where classes meet January – March.

Educational Field Trip
Students will travel to the cities of Lampang, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok in Thailand, followed by a 1 week Spring break at the end of March.

Karen Tribal Village
For the month of April, students will live in a Christian Karen tribal village in the foothills of the Himalayas where they will complete an anthropological course on the Karen of Northern Thailand.

Courses that will be offered include the following:

January 7- March 30
Thai Culture and Society- 4 semester hours (counts toward GE Non-Western Cultures)

Intensive Introduction to Thai Language- 4-6 semester hours
A Reading and Writing course is optional and meets for 3 hours per week for 10 weeks

Study/Service Internship-4 Semester Hours (substitutes for SAAJ 324 for SAAJ students)
Internship to be arranged with Church, Government, or Educational Agency--Students will be in their internships 16 hours per week and have a two-hour seminar on Fridays.

Principles of Lanna and Thai - 4 semester hours (GE Non-Western or Fine Arts)
Students will gain an understanding of basic art principles and compositional elements used in Thai fine arts as well as basic artistic applications.  Students will have an opportunity to practice the art forms studied by creating an art project.  This course will count towards EITHER the Fine Arts GE or Non-Western Cultures GE.  Art majors may receive upper division credit towards their major requirement.


April 1- May 1
The Karen of Northern Thailand- 4 semester hours (counts towards GE REL 301) Taught in the Karen village of Tee Mae Ker Lah.

All courses offered depend upon the availability of qualified faculty and other program activities depend upon qualified personnel. The University contracts with scheduled air carriers and local operators and travel dates may be changed in the case of armed conflict, terrorist activity, natural disasters, strikes, or other unforeseen circumstances. The International Programs Student Center will always have the latest information concerning these programs.

INTERNET RESOURCES:

International Programs Library: http://library.pepperdine.edu/students/intlprog/

For more information please visit: www.AmazingThailand.org

For students' statements regarding the program go to: http://www.amazingseasia.com/student_statements.html and http://www.messiah.edu/academics/epicenter/Stories/thailand.html

For picture of the program please visit: http://www.amazingseasia.com/pictures.html and http://community.webshots.com/user/ajarnmike100

ACADEMIC YEAR 2008-2009 COSTS:

There are two charges for International Programs Participants: tuition and the International Programs Charge. Tuition in the International Program is exactly the same as it is on the Malibu campus. Tuition for the 2008-2009 Academic Year is $18,325 per semester for 12- 18 units. The second charge, the International Programs Charge, covers room and board, travel to and from the program, and an educational fieldtrip with the group. The International Programs Charge for the 2008-2009 Academic Year is $8,840 per semester.  If you attend both semesters, the second semester is discounted at $8,040 as a second roundtrip flight is not being purchased for you.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-2010:

The Thailand program will not be offered during the 2009-10 academic year.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Please contact the Office of Financial Assistance for more specific information.  For information on scholarships specific to international study please click here.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.5 GPA
  • Online Application
  • Visiting Professor Interview
  • International Programs Contract
  • Flight Contract (Flight itinerary for flight exemptions)
  • Pre-Registration (Pepperdine Form)
  • Thailand Student Visa
  • Contract Review Appointment
  • Pre-Departure Orientations
  • Pre-Departure Visa Workshop
  • Physical Exam (90-45 days prior to departure)
  • Valid Passport (cost is student's responsibility)
  • International Health Insurance Coverage (cost is student's responsibility)

02/16/09