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Is this program right for you?

Are you hoping to work in some capacity that will benefit society and the environment? Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps or another community-based volunteer program upon graduation? Then this program is for you. The CIEE Study Center in Khon Kaen helps you to understand the complexities concerning development and globalization issues, and the role you play as global citizens. You'll learn about development and globalization from both an academic and a grassroots community level and its overall effects on a developing nation.

Program Snapshot

  • Engage in a unique real-world learning model and be exposed to many issues—the effects of dams and mining, urban slums, people living with HIV/AIDS, organic farming, human rights, and NGOs—from a grassroots perspective
  • Involve yourself in an alternative educational model focusing on personal development, group peer learning, and consensus decision making
  • Immerse yourself in the culture through community stays, translated exchanges, Thai student roommates, and peer tutors

 

Subject Areas

  • Development & Planning
  • Environmental Studies
  • Peace & Justice Studies
  • Sociology
  • Thai Language

About Khon Kaen

Located in the center of the Northeast province of Isaan, Khon Kaen is Thailand’s fourth largest city with a population of over 300,000. About 300 miles north of Bangkok, it is the educational and government center of the Northeast, as well as the headquarters for many development organizations working in the region. Compared to other parts of Thailand, the Northeast has retained many traditional Thai customs, as well as Lao and Khmer influences.

Where You'll Study

Khon Kaen University

Khon Kaen University (KKU), the major educational institution in the Northeast, is located four kilometers north of the city on 2,500 acres of partially wooded land. Founded in 1964, KKU has 17 faculties that offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and professional degrees in such fields as law, health and medicine, social sciences, humanities, education, agriculture, business, engineering, and the physical sciences. Approximately 24,000 undergraduate students and 9,700 postgraduates study at KKU. There are approximately 1,500 full-time faculty members and 4,000 part-time faculty and staff.

Thoughts From Abroad

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” This saying, attributed to Benjamin Franklin (others claim it is an ancient Chinese proverb), well captures our approach here. We believe that the best learning comes from involvement. You will be confronted with the stories and the lives of other human beings who are suffering from structural injustices. You will be asked, “What can you do?” Hence begins the learning as you find ways that you and your classmates try to work out how to get involved.

This program believes in the power of one. But much more so, we believe in the power of humans coming together and learning how to be friends, so that they can understand their situation and how they can organize for a better future.

This is a program about Thailand. Come learn about Thailand’s history and its particular journey.

This program is about the common person of Thailand. How do things like development or globalization play themselves out in the lives of the poor?

And this program is about you. If you come, be ready and open to learning from those who have come before. Be ready to not only engage with the Thai people, but also with those on the program. And be ready to relate your experiences to those who will come after you. By receiving, involving, and then passing on, the program’s work on issues of social justice strengthens and grows.

— David Streckfuss, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Dr. David Streckfuss has been the Resident Director in Thailand since 1994. He received his Ph.D. in Southeast Asian History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is particularly interested in economic, social, and cultural rights. As an independent scholar, he wrote Truth on Trial in Thailand: Defamation, Treason, and Lèse-Majesté, published by Routledge.

Decha Premrudeelert, Program Advisor, has an M.A. from Thammasart University and has been working with NGOs in Northeastern Thailand for the past 20 years. Decha has worked with the CIEE program since 1995. Arunee Sriruksa, Program Coordinator, has an M.A. from Khon Kaen University in Development Management and has been working with the program for 10 years.

Recommended Credit

semester: 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75

Application Deadlines

Fall 20103/15/2010
Spring 201110/15/2010

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 201017 weeks
mid-August - mid-December
Spring 201117 weeks
mid-January - mid-May

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2010 $12,700
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, full-time program leadership and support, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, transportation from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Housing$1,900
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation)$10,598
    Medical Insurance$74
    Visa$128
    Total$12,700

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, full-time program leadership and support, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, transportation from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. West Coast departure)$1,500
    Meals$750
    Personal Expenses$1,100
    Local Transportation$350
    Books and Supplies$70
    Total$3,770


  • Spring 2011 $13,100
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, full-time program leadership and support, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, transportation from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$10,995
    Visa$128
    Housing$1,900
    Medical Insurance$77
    Total$13,100

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, full-time program leadership and support, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, transportation from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Books and Supplies$70
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. West Coast departure)$1,500
    Personal Expenses $1,400
    Local Transportation$350
    Meals$750
    Total$4,070


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.