Semester at Mahidol University, Thailand

While in Thailand, I completed my Political Science minor, taking courses such as Thai Foreign Policy and Fake News, Censorship, and the Politics of Truth. Studying politics, media, and governance while living under a constitutional monarchy offered a depth of understanding that no classroom at home could replicate. Community is central to who I am, and I often associate belonging with a shared language. While I was nervous about navigating a language barrier in Thailand, I was drawn to a culture rooted in collectivism, respect, and care for others. Through CIS Abroad, I found community across cultures and backgrounds. I am endlessly grateful to David, Ann, and Jenny, who made us feel at home, answered our questions, and reminded us that belonging can exist far from familiarity. Choosing to study abroad was not easy as a first-generation college student. That is why I am especially grateful to those who believed in me and encouraged me along the way. Traveling and studying in Southeast Asia deepened my understanding of the region’s history, economics, and political climate in ways I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This experience challenged preconceived notions and reaffirmed my belief that studying abroad is not just an escape from reality, but a meaningful rite of passage.

Studying veterinary science in Thailand was an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. I gained hands-on skills working with elephants, livestock, and small animals while learning from incredibly dedicated veterinarians and caretakers. Every day brought new challenges, field clinics, lab work, and real-world problem-solving that pushed me to grow both academically and personally. Outside of class, I explored temples, tried amazing food, and connected with locals and fellow students. This experience expanded my perspective, boosted my confidence, and strengthened my passion for global animal health. I highly recommend it to anyone pursuing veterinary medicine!

This was my first experience leaving my home country and I don't think I could have had a better experience. With the help of my program and my group of friends, I was able to have so much fun while still feeling safe and having a stable help network to rely on if I need it. The onsite program staff was very helpful for anything that me or my friends needed, as well as any questions we were concerned about as well. I definitely felt safe travelling in this country and with this program. I also think that this is a great way to start travelling to other surrounding countries in Southeast Asia!

CIS abroad not only brought me to the exact country where I needed to be, but it also showed me the real Thai way of life. From northern Thailand, inhabited by 80-year-old Elephants, to its southern coastal islands, I saw Thailand in all its glory and beauty. A country that has so much to offer, CIS made sure I maximized my Thai experience in the short amount of months I stayed there.

Mahidol University International College was a challenging experience for me. I major in Business Data Analytics and Managerial Economics. During my semester at MUIC, I took five classes. I took Econometric, Bus. Data Analytics for Business Strategy, Plant Biology, 3D Art, and Introduction to Drawing Analysis. The education system is completely different from the education system in the U.S. Many courses require a lot of self-studying. I was often overwhelmed because the lessons were taught at a fast pace. A lot of information was given weekly. The course was hard but it challenged me. I learned a lot of new information from the professors and my peers. There is no tutoring center or office hours to meet with the professor (apply to U.S. students). At MUIC, it was very easy to socialize and make new friends. Thai students are very shy and reserved so please take the initiative and introduce yourself. My social life at MUIC was great, I made a lot of new friends, tried so many delicious and affordable foods on campus, and visited the weekend market on campus every Friday. As a business major MUIC will challenge you and help you improve.

Honestly my time in Thailand has shaped me into a completely different person than I was before I left. Obviously, there were ups and downs, my abroad trip was eye opening. Starting off the CIS Abroad team was super helpful concerning my application and working with me through the countless breakdowns I had over how stressful the process was. Not only that but the information they provided helped me feel much more prepared for arriving to the country. The on-site support team were so nice and helpful and I absolutely loved talking to them. Classes were interesting and challenging, and the university had a wonderful community with extensive extracurriculars. The choice with various hospitals were also really great (I recommend private for quickness and experience but public if you're ok to wait a couple hours). The program included so many things in the package that I felt taken care of and supported and it allowed me to have the best time.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime study abroad experience at Mahidol University International College in Thailand. The academics were challenging and the culture was so vibrant and unique. Even despite the setbacks due to Covid, it was still very much worth it.

I went to Thailand during the pandemic in Spring 2021 and I will never forget this amazing experience. I met incredible people from all over the world and learned all about the local community and cuisine. I got to meet ethically kept elephants and go to an amazing cooking course for Thai food. I would go back in a heartbeat if it was possible and I can't wait to travel the world again.

I absolutely loved studying abroad in Thailand. I did the summer program and I really enjoyed my time there. CISabroad has amazing staff and really contributed to my wonderful experience. Thailand has so much to offer and learning about the culture there was something that I am really glad I got the chance to do.

Being abroad gives you time and space to grow as an individual. You are challenged to face the things you fear and tackle the habits you have that may not be the most positive. If you have the opportunity to go abroad then go for it, go alone and thrive on your own while also meeting new people. CIS Abroad prepared me for the challenges that I would face by having a program director who was open and honest about what to expect in Thailand. David was always there when I needed him and in the event of serious occurrences, he would either show up or make sure he handled it remotely. Our activity director Chuie and his team were the second best thing about CIS. They planned trips and excursions that truly exposed us to the Thai culture while also becoming our friend and taking our feelings into consideration. I feel that CIS Abroad supported us in the best way possible for a low cost as well. There were other programs staying at our accommodation and there were things that CIS did for us that they did not receive. I had the time of my life in Thailand and grew immensely as a person, a friend, a student, and a curious mind.

Being a student at one of the best universities in all of Thailand (seriously, it's nationally ranked and it's known as "the Harvard of Thailand' gave me a lot of confidence to travel all throughout South East Asia. I made friends with many of my Thai classmates and asked them for travel and life in Thailand advice. Mahidol University even set me up with a buddy program so I could meet a student who has been at the university. Going to university is such a part of my normal life in the United States (in fact, it is my life) so doing it in Thailand really made sure I was living a local experience. Yes, it was different! The classes meet for either 2 hours or 4 hours. The grades are really heavily influenced on how you do on your finals. You wear a uniform every day. But the differences made me excited. I was able to even customize my schedule to only have classes until wednesday which made it easy to travel on the weekends. Mahidol University gives you such a wide range of classes, I really believe its a good programs for all majors.

Studying abroad through CISAbroad was a great experience for me. I really appreciated how easy and organized the application process was through the portal online. Once you get accepted be sure to find or ask for the Facebook group as the information posted in there is often very important as soon as you land in Thailand! I had a positive experience with all the on site staff, they were amazing and answered all of my questions as soon as they could. Mahidol was a little unorganized at times. The campus was beautiful and the teachers were great, but the school's orientation could have actually gave us a tour or told us about all of the services offered around campus. When we had to renew our visas lots of students were confused with the process so just keep asking questions so you don't make a mistake. The on site coordinators helped to the best of their ability but it was really up to Mahidol to help us. Many people said the classes at Mahidol were easier than their home university classes, for me it really depended on the class and the teacher. Many classes (especially science classes) provided paid for field trips, which were amazing. There are also lots of clubs and activities where you might do a day trip or a weekend trip to different places like a sea turtle rehab, or a trip to Ayutthaya. The excursions CISabroad provided were amazing, definitely would've liked to spend more time in Chiang Mai and Koh Chang but if you chose to leave earlier or stay later than CIS they worked with you to pick you up or meet you somewhere when they got there. We got to choose between Baan Suan or Bundit housing. Both had pros and cons. Baan Suan didn't have a van to get to Mahidol like Bundit but CISabroad provided each of us cash for taking taxis to school. The bus system is awesome and cheaper too, but involves walking over a bridge to get to campus. The beds could have been more comfortable, but that is kind of across Thailand. Some other cool things that CIS provided us was a cellphone with about 2gb of data per month. You could also buy more data or minutes if you wanted to. I mostly used my phone for gps when we went into the city and I decided not to use it. If your phone is unlocked you can insert the SIM card CIS gives you in your own phone, which I highly recommend because the phone they give us is understandably poor quality. Everything that they fed us on excursions was always really good, they always had, vegetarian options but you usually have to let them know if you want it. During our last week they took us to a pretty fancy upscale hotel's buffet and we got to gorge on all different foods and desserts, and then we took a bunch of photos and said our goodbyes. Those memories will forever be in my heart. I highly recommend studying abroad through CIS!

It was the experience of a lifetime! I made memories that will last forever and such amazing friendships. The cultural aspect of Thailand was my favorite. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and it was incredible learning how different societal norms can be somewhere else.

CISabroad provided me with the best possible abroad experience. I had never been away from home for so long, and CIS gave me with many contacts for me to reach out to, and just different things to do for me to feel comfortable. Though when I was there, I was immersed in such a different experience that I never felt uncomfortable, as it was so interesting to be a part of and learn a new culture. The excursions CIS took me on were incredible! Elephants, floating markets, and bungalows over the water, I couldn't ask for much else. It was truly the best time of my life, and I would not change it for anything.

My semester abroad in Thailand was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My classes were manageable and allowed for optimal travel during my weekends. The cost of living in Southeast Asia is minimal so I was able to travel nearly every weekend and travelled throughout Thailand and to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and India. The cost of the CIS program is also extremely affordable and includes many excursions that would have been more expensive had you done it alone. The on site Thai staff was helpful but the company and the head of the Thailand Program in country were a bit disorganized and not always the most help. That being said, they always responded quickly if you had a question and were always warning us if there were issues going on in other countries, the Bali volcano eruption for example. Overall, I loved my experience and it is a great opportunity for those looking for good food, cheap travel, and awesome cultural experiences!

Mahidol as a school was actually very difficult to work with. There were several elements that proved very frustrating due to needed transferability of courses to my home university. The team at CIS was fantastic. Very responsive and good resources. The programmed trips were diverse and properly outfitted.

Semester in Thailand with CISabroad was an amazing experience for me. I love to travel, and often do so on my own, but this program allowed me to be a student in another country which was a unique experience. The university was larger than my home university, meaning that I was almost overwhelmed by the level of opportunities available. The apartment we stayed in was run by locals which provided for a great cultural immersion. Everything about Thailand was both new and exciting, from the people, the food, the religion, and the culture. It was also a great starting point from which to visit other surrounding countries during the weekends. I recommend this program to anyone ready for a new experience.

The best decision of my life was to study abroad in Thailand this past spring. I stayed in Baan Suan apartments with just about everyone else and we grew into a tight, family-like community. Between the friends made at school, the ones made traveling, the food, the local people, and the sights, studying abroad in Thailand was an absolutely magical and unforgettable experience.

I had an eye-opening and life-altering experience while studying through CISabroad in Thailand. I now recommend everyone I know to study abroad through CIS if they have the opportunity to do so. I am so grateful and indebted to CIS for an experience of a lifetime.

I had a great time, the only thing I would have changed is living in a place more like green park. I was always over there and it was just much easier to meet people there, although Bundit had the best food options around which i was very pleased with.