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Khon Kaen, Thailand

Community Public Health

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Information for term Community Public Health

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

May 1, 2019
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Tentative Dates: Aug 13 – Dec 12, 2019 (17 weeks)*
  • Credit: 15 semester hours / 22.5 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
$17,450 See full breakdown

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Dates: Jan 15 – May 16, 2019 (17 weeks)
  • Credit: 15 semester hours / 22.5 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
$17,450 See full breakdown

Application Deadline

November 1, 2019
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Credit: 15 semester hours / 22.5 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
Apply Now
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Overview

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Immerse yourself in Thailand’s public health issues in this intense, people-to-people program designed to create collaboration between people living half a world apart. Gain an in-depth understanding of the role of public health in this inviting part of Thailand and discover more about yourself and your role in the world.

Unique Experiences

  • Interact with

    doctors, nurses, public health professional, academics, and community-level public health volunteers

  • Collaborate with

    local public health leaders to determine research topics and activities that meet community needs

  • Visit

    Laos, Vietnam, or another Southeast Asian country to compare public health systems

  • residents

    300K

  • STUDENTS AT KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY

    38,000

  • water buffaloes (province)

    23,126

Location & Culture

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The northeast of Thailand, called “Isaan,” retains many of its traditional Lao and Khmer customs and features a strong silk trade, ancient temples, museums, and recreation areas. Khon Kaen city features expansive shopping malls, top-rate private medical facilities, and chain stores like McDonalds and Starbucks. But it also has close-knit traditional communities and historic Buddhist temples dotted along the banks of the city’s picturesque lakes. Khon Kaen is at the center of Isaan and serves as a regional hub for development organizations, commerce, industry, government, and education. Compared to other regions, this area is well known for its welcoming attitude toward visitors.

With the Thai language skills you develop on the program and through your site visits and community stays, you’ll feel proud to be part of the culture and not a mere tourist. 

The Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

  • Enjoy a three-day tourist excursion to scenic Chiang Mai (starting Fall 2018)
  • Go on two- to three-day community visits using various research tools to assess community public health needs and build relationships
  • Take a five-day comparative study excursion to Laos, Vietnam, or another Southeast Asian country
  • Head to an overnight excursion where you feed, bathe, and walk your own elephant with “Elephant Lover Home” in Surin Province (starting Fall 2018)
  • Camp at a mountainous national park and watch the sunset while bats stream out of a nearby cave
  • Live with a Thai student in a dorm-style room with internet, air-conditioning, microwave, refrigerator, and heated shower - a five-minute walk to convenience stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and nightlife venues
  • Practice Thai with a Peer tutor 

PROJECTS

  • Collaborate in a fieldwork/research project. Past students have studied pesticide consumption, diabetes management, the behavior of motorcyclists, nutrition, trash management, and more.
  • Contribute human interest stories published in partner publication The Isaan Record.
  • Help create the newest issue of Common Ground Magazine, a publication of student writing and photography on selected issues.
  • Work with CIEE student-initiated Radical Grandma Collective, a women’s weaving group preserving a traditional art and raising money for important local issues.
  • Participate in an annual human rights festival or other similar event in the northeast.
  • Join other students, Thai resident assistants, and CIEE staff for fun and reflective evenings discussing cross-cultural issues.

Daily Life

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  • HOUSING

    When students are not in the field or staying with host families, they live in an off-campus, air-conditioned, dorm-style room in a secured facility near Khon Kaen University (KKU). Each participant shares a room with a friendly KKU student trained on intercultural skills. Internet is provided.

  • MEALS

    Meals are not provided except when staying in communities.  Students can purchase reasonably-priced meals at university cafeterias or local restaurants. Vegetarian options are available. A microwave and small refrigerator are provided in each room.

Khon Kaen, Thailand

Where You'll Study

  • A

    KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY

    Thailand

  • B

    CIEE KHON KAEN

    Khon Kaen

What People are Saying

  • "I came to Khon Kaen to learn about and assist with environmental and human rights in whatever way I could. I couldn’t have predicted that this would find me at the source talking to and interviewing protesters, NGOs, and villagers.  Involvement with journalism through CIEE Khon Kaen has introduced me to some of the most courageous people I’ve ever met, and given me the resources and support to tell their story."

     

    Alana Brandt, The University of Texas at Austin

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What you need to know

The program details

CIEE has been based at Khon Kaen University (KKU) since 1991 and launched the Community Public Health program in 2010. The program combines traditional academic instruction with extensive field study, and includes guidance from government officials and practitioners during visits to government, private and public health agencies, and local communities.

Language instruction is geared to help students function in everyday situations. Language classes are offered at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, and combine intensive classroom learning with help from peer tutors and interactive exercises. Toward the end of the program, students use diagnostic tools to generate proposals and organize projects.

Khon Kaen University (KKU). Founded in 1964, KKU has 19 faculties offering bachelor, master, doctorate, and professional degrees, and hosts 40,000 students. CIEE students study at the Faculty of Public Health which was established in 1978 as part of a government mission to extend higher education to rural areas.

Content courses are taught by the Faculty of Public Health lecturers and instructors from related faculties at Khon Kaen University. Beginning Thai language courses are taught by CIEE - Khon Kaen staff, while intermediate and advanced Thai classes are typically taught through the ASEAN Language Center at Khon Kaen University. 

Academics

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Academics

  • CLASS FORMAT

    Content courses are open to both CIEE and international students. Language courses are open only to CIEE students.

  • GRADING

    Language courses: Students are graded based on daily homework, quizzes, and exams. CIEE courses: Students are graded based on a series of short papers, exams, active participation, a three-week project, and a final paper. Students collaborate extensively with public health faculty members and CIEE staff members, who conduct periodic evaluations throughout the semester. CIEE language courses: Students are graded based on weekly homework assignments, quizzes, and exams. Letter grades are assigned.

  • ACADEMIC CULTURE

    This program is academically demanding. With lectures, discussion sessions, site and community visits, students should expect full days.

Eligibility

  • OVERALL GPA

    Students need to have a GPA of at least 2.5.

  • PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

    College-level coursework in public health or sociology is recommended. Nursing and pre-med students are encouraged to apply.

Curriculum

Program Credit

  • Total credit, semester: 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours
  • Thai language course: Contact hours: 65; Credit: 3 semester hours
  • Public Health Management of Thailand and Community Public Health: Contact hours: 60; Credit: 4 semester hours
  • Public Health Field Practicum: Contact hours: 15 classroom/120 field; Credit 4 semester hours

Students take the courses below

  • Public Health Management of Thailand
  • Community Public Health
  • Public Health Field Practicum
  • 1 Thai language course

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.

Scholarships

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Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health Merit Scholarships
  • Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.

See more scholarship info

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

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Dates, Deadlines & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

YOUR FEE INCLUDES:

  • Tuition
  • Housing
  • Visa
  • Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
  • Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
  • Orientation – an introduction to Thai culture, your academic program, and the city, plus practical information about living in your host city
  • Three-day excursion to Chiang Mai (transportation, lodging, and trip to Doi Suthep) (starting Fall 2018)
  • Overnight excursion at the Elephant Lover Home in Surin (starting Fall 2018)
  • Five-day study excursion to Laos or another Southeast Asian country
  • Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
  • Food and lodging while on community visits
  • Research costs
  • Field trips and cultural activities
  • Insurance and other travel benefits, with CIEE iNext
  • 24/7 emergency on-site support

No Hidden Fees

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing
Spring 2019 17 weeks Jan 15, 2019 May 16, 2019
$17,450
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Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300 *

Educational Costs = $14,681 **

Housing = $2,150

Insurance = $167

Visa Fees = $152

Total Fees = $17,450

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $750

International Airfare = $1,500

Local Transportation = $180

Books & Supplies = $15

Personal expenses = $700

Total Estimated Costs = $3,145

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants.

See Scholarships

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 $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
Fall 2019 17 weeks May 1, 2019 Aug 13, 2019* Dec 12, 2019*
$17,450
Click to Close

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300 *

Educational Costs = $14,681 **

Housing = $2,150

Insurance = $167

Visa Fees = $152

Total Fees = $17,450

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $750

International Airfare = $1,500 †

Local Transportation = $30

Books & Supplies = $75

Personal expenses = $700

Total Estimated Costs = $3,055

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants.

See Scholarships

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 $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
Spring 2020 17 weeks Nov 1, 2019 TBD* TBD*

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, and personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.

Looking for funding?

See Our Scholarships

Our Staff

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Our Staff

  • David Streckfuss

    Director

    David has been the director for CIEE Programs in Thailand since 1994. He has a Ph.D. in Southeast Asian History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  • Anootnara Talkul

    Academic Director

    Dr. Anootnara Talkul Kuster is a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Health Science at the Faculty of Public Health at Khon Kaen University.

  • Arunee Sriruksa

    Academic Consultant

    Arunee has been working with CIEE Khon Kaen since 2000. She recently finished her Ph.D. in Art and Cultural Research from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Khon Kaen University.

Get Started

Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:
  • 1

    START AN APPLICATION
    You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! 

    Apply Now
  • 2

    CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE 
    Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

  • 3

    Contact an Advisor

    Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

    Contact US

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