Information for term Development + Globalization
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenImmerse yourself in Thailand’s grassroots issues and gain insight into the complexities surrounding environmental, development, and globalization issues. Enroll in four courses, including an intensive three-week Thai language instruction course to help you get-by in everyday situations, and prepare for five 1-week community stays through lectures and discussion at CIEE Khon Kaen. The field becomes the classroom, and community leaders, government officials, and NGO practitioners are the teachers. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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ENGAGE WITH GRASSROOTS SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS
representatives from NGOs; journalists; and political and human rights activists.
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EXPLORE
what social justice and global citizenship can mean in the context of a developing nation
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CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY-LED EFFORT
addressing social justice, human rights, and environmental issues.
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tons of rice produced annually (province)
878K -
water buffaloes (province)
23,126 -
kilograms of fish produced annually (province)
7.7M
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
The Northeast of Thailand, called “Isaan,” retained 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 outlets 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 come to feel proud to be part of the culture and not a mere tourist.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Three-day tourist excursion to scenic Chiang Mai (starting Fall 2018)
- Live, work, and dialogue with communities and activists facing impact of mining, forest policy, dams, chemical agriculture, or human rights violations during four, five-day community stays throughout the Northeast of Thailand
- Five-day comparative study excursion to Laos
- Overnight excursion where you feed, bathe, and walk your own elephant with “Elephant Lover Home” in Surin Province (starting Fall 2018)
- Camping trip to mountainous national park and watch sunset while bats stream out of cave
- Live with Thai student in dorm-style room with internet, air-conditioning, microwave, refrigerator, heated shower, a five-minute walk to convenience stores, coffee shops, restaurants, nightlife venues
- Peer tutor sessions to practice Thai
PROJECTS
- Collaborate on a final project with communities facing environmental and social justice issues
- Contribute human interest stories to partner publication, The Isaan Record
- Help assemble an 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 funds for their struggle against a mine
- Contribute to an annual human rights festival or other similar events in the Northeast
- Join other students, Thai resident assistants, and CIEE staff for fun and reflective evenings on cross-cultural experiences
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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HOUSING
When students are not in the field or staying, they live in off-campus, air-conditioned, dorm-style room in a secured facility that also has internet s near Khon Kaen University (KKU). Each participant shares a room with a trained KKU student.
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MEALS
Meals are not provided except when staying in communities. Students can purchase meals reasonably 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
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A
CIEE KHON KAEN
Khon Kaen
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KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY
Thailand
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Program Details
Click to OpenWhat you need to know
The program detailsEstablished in 1994, this program uses international and national human rights frameworks to understand grassroots and social justice issues for the past decade.
Students prepare for five 1-week community stays at CIEE Khon Kaen, located near Khon Kaen University. The field becomes the classroom, and community leaders, government officials, and NGO practitioners are the teachers.
Language instruction is geared toward helping students function in everyday situations. It starts with three weeks of intensive instruction, with classes at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, and combines intensive classroom learning with help from peer tutors and interactive exercises.
Content courses are taught by a variety of professors from Northeastern universities and as well as outside university lecturers, members of the NGO Coordinating Committee on Development (NGO-CORD), government officials, representatives of NGOs and governmental organizations, and CIEE staff. The Thai Language courses taught by CIEE language faculty and resident staff.
Academics
Click to OpenEligibility
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OVERALL GPA
Students need to have a GPA of at least 2.5.
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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Total recommended credit for the semester is 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours. Students take a required Thai language course, two required CIEE content courses, and an elective CIEE course. The Thai language course is taught intensively during the first three weeks of the program.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Program Credit
Total credit: 15 U.S. semester/22.5 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3-6 U.S. semester/4.5-9 quarter credits; 45-115 contact hours
- Thai language course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 65 contact hours
Language of Instruction
English and Thai
Requirements
- 1 required Thai language course
- 2 required CIEE courses
- The Human Perspective on Development and the Environment
- Directed Research Field Study Practicum
- 1 CIEE elective course
Course Notes
Thai language level will be determined by an onsite Thai language exam.
Spring 2020 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenCommunication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Social Sciences
Fall 2020 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenCommunication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Social Sciences
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
Click to OpenScholarships & 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
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI 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 infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & 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
- 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
- Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
- Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
- Excursions and/or Study Tours
- 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 2020 17 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jan 14, 2020 | May 14, 2020 |
$17,850
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Program FeesCIEE 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 = $15,081 ** Housing = $2,150 Insurance = $167 Visa Fees = $152 Total Fees = $17,850Estimated CostsStudents 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 = $200 Books & Supplies = $15 Personal expenses = $700 Total Estimated Costs = $3,165Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. 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 |
| Fall 2020 17 weeks | May 1, 2020 | Aug 11, 2020* | Dec 10, 2020* |
$17,850
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE 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 = $15,081 ** Housing = $2,150 Insurance = $167 Visa Fees = $152 Total Fees = $17,850Estimated CostsStudents 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 = $200 Books & Supplies = $15 Personal expenses = $700 Total Estimated Costs = $3,165Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. 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 2021 17 weeks | Nov 1, 2020 | Jan 12, 2021 | May 13, 2021 |
*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, visas, 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?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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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.
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Chananya Tangvanichkapong
Manager of Finance and Human Resources
Ms. Chananya Tangvanichkapong has been working with the CIEE Khon Kaen as an Accountant since the Spring 2016 semester.
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John Mark Belardo
Programs Manager
John Mark Belardo Study CIEE Field Director John Mark has worked with CIEE since 2006.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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