
Hannah Emerson
Webster University
AlumniBefore going to Thailand through Webster’s study abroad program, I had been an exchange student in high school in Germany through the Congress-Bundest...
Read Full Interview



University Studies Abroad Consortium
8
The colorful, vibrant country of Thailand is considered the "land of smiles," and for good reason: the friendliness and hospitality of the Thai p...
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Semester at Sea
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Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester at Sea offers a unique opportunity for deep, authentic engagement with countries...
Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
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Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real out
See All 2 ProgramsWorldStrides
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Explore Bangkok, Thailand’s dynamic capital and a global hub for culture, commerce, and cuisine. Study at Mahidol University International College (MUIC), the English-speaking arm of Mahidol University, while taking courses alongside Thai and international students. Enjoy an affordable semester abro
Teach Explore Asia (XploreAsia)
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Join Xplore’s In-Country TEFL/TESOL + Placement Program and start your journey towards becoming a qualified English teacher in Thailand. With expert support, a guaranteed teaching job, and lifetime placement opportunities, we ensure you’re set up for success. You’ll earn a globally recognized 120-ho
International Sustainable Development Studies Institute
14
ISDSI’s semester is a rich, hands-on learning experience exploring Thailand's diverse cultures and landscapes, learning directly from the people involved in creating a more sustainable world. Based in Chiang Mai, ISDSI semester students spend significant time immersed in Thailand's cultures and eco
See All 4 ProgramsIntern Abroad HQ
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Intern Abroad HQ presents an exceptional opportunity for Marine Biology enthusiasts in the captivating landscapes of Thailand. Immerse yourself in marine conservation efforts, honing scuba diving skills and contributing to vital underwater research, monitoring, restoration, and conservation initiati
MEI Academy World High School
4
This term is a journey that carries us through Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, where every new location becomes a unique chapter in understanding how the world works and our place in it. During our immersive adventure abroad, you will earn 2 compulsory high school credits with the option to
See All 2 ProgramsThe TEFL Institute Group
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Get Certified to Teach English Worldwide Turn your ambition into a global opportunity with the Ofqual Regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma. This advanced course is designed to take you from beginner to confident English teacher, giving you everything you need to start teaching in a variety of settings.
Global Work & Travel
12
Thinking about leaving the routine behind and starting a new life in Thailand? Imagine tropical beaches, buzzing night markets, ancient temples and weekend trips across Asia — all while building a new career abroad. Use code GA100 for up to $100 off your trip. Most online TEFL courses focus on theor
International TEFL and TESOL
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Rich culture and vibrant nightlife. Experience these and everything in between by becoming a teacher in Thailand! We can help you become certified with our online courses. Use the coupon code GoAbroad15 upon checkout to receive 15% off any course. Take advantage of our Super Sale! Choose from a se
Asian College of Teachers
18
Enroll in international 120-hour, full-time TEFL courses in Bangkok, Phuket, or Koh Samui in Thailand. This is a great opportunity to get professionally trained to become an English teacher and spend three to four weeks in exotic locations throughout Thailand. The TEFL certification course in Thail
See All 2 ProgramsCIS Abroad
277
CIS Abroad Study and Intern Abroad programs are some of the most affordable, comprehensive program packages available. We also don't cut any corners by offering everything you would expect from an overseas program: tuition, housing, support, insurance, excursions, social and cultural activities, and
See All 2 ProgramsTherapy Abroad Inc.
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Earn CEUs abroad while advancing your cultural competence in speech-language pathology! Therapy Abroad’s international CEU workshops are immersive, accredited programs for SLPs seeking to deepen their understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity. Held in global locations like Belize, Ireland
See All 3 ProgramsLoop Abroad
22
The Veterinary Semester Abroad is a 14-week study abroad program in Thailand designed for pre-veterinary students and others wishing to study wildlife or zoology or attend a veterinary school. The all-inclusive tuition comes with coursework, activities, meals, housing, and transportation to class an
See All 7 ProgramsAsia Exchange
7
Take part in Asia Exchange's International Business Program (IBP) offered at Siam University. The undergraduate program, IBP, is taught in English. It admits Thai and international students. Exchange students at SU can choose from several options and take IBP courses that best suit their needs and i
See All 6 ProgramsMahouts Elephant Foundation
3
Asian Elephant Behaviour and Community Driven Conservation in Thailand This is a 4 week field course that offers university students the opportunity to join an ongoing research project studying the behavior and ecology of re-wilded Asian elephants in their natural habitat. Students will gain hands-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy
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We offer Worldchefs-approved courses ranging from 1 to 10 weeks, including Thai courses (1-8 weeks) and Pan-Asian courses (2 weeks covering Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisines) for professional culinary training. Learn the ins and outs of Thai cooking, Asian ingredients, cooking techn
StudyAbroad.com
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Mahidol University International College (MUIC) offers an exceptional study abroad experience in Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant capital. Known for its excellence in health sciences, international relations, and cultural studies, Mahidol combines academic rigor with a focus on global perspectives. Stude
Pure Exploration
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Looking for a progressive gap year experience that blends travel, adventure, and skill-building? Our six-week Rock Climbing Program in Thailand is designed for those who want more than sightseeing. It's about pushing boundaries, learning leadership, and gaining certifications that set you up for fut
Choose to study abroad in Bangkok and you can expect a bustling metropolis laced with river canals and tightly packed, chaotic highways. The nation’s capital city provides study abroad students with access to a large number of social opportunities, culinary delights, and affordable shopping, on top of access to some of Thailand’s top rated universities! A number of study abroad agencies in Thailand offer programs at Mahidol University and Siam University.
Studying in Chiang Mai provides more of a blend between history and nature, and students should prepare for a more laid back feel than Bangkok. If you’re looking for an even more quiet, rural experience, study abroad in Mae Hong Song near the Karen Hill tribes, one of the most unique opportunities to study abroad in Thailand.
No matter where you study in Thailand, you should have no trouble with travel to other locations throughout the country. Taxis, tuk tuks, buses, and rail lines are available to take you to the south’s pristine beaches year round, and you’ll only be a hop, skip, or jump from neighboring Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, and even Vietnam! Excursions to historic sites or nearby countries are even built in to some study abroad programs in Thailand, and there are also some short-term programs based on southern islands, like Koh Samui, for those who want to mix time at the beach with academic study in Thailand.
The most popular subjects or majors for study abroad in Thailand are Business, International Relations, and Marketing, but that doesn’t mean that programs catering to Communications, Environmental Studies, Photography, or Creative Writing aren’t available courses to study in Thailand too.
Language. While Thai is the most commonly spoken language amongst natives, extensive knowledge of the language is certainly not a requirement for getting by. Thailand’s main source of revenue is from the tourism industry, and most Thai people speak English. Classes are offered in English for international students, but locals will encourage you to give Thai a try too!
When To Go. The best time to study in Thailand falls largely on what kind of climate you prefer. The dry season (November to February) is ideal because you will miss the tropical monsoon rain and the heat that comes with Spring and Summer. But if you don’t mind getting a little wet, or sweaty, then you can select from study abroad programs offered anytime of the year!
In Thailand, the academic year is made up of two semesters, June to October and November to March, and a summer session from April to May. However, some Thai universities have adopted different start and end dates for their semesters to correlate with the U.S. school system, and thus those who wish to study abroad in Thailand.
Thailand is the destination for you if you’re looking for affordability and a low cost of living while studying abroad. Prices can vary throughout the country, but overall the nation is significantly affordable for those on a tight budget. A filling meal of delicious local cuisine costs between one and two dollars, a tuk-tuk ride can range from one to 10 dollars, and a trip to the grocery store can easily cost less than 10 dollars.
Be aware of farang (foreigner) traps thought, especially in larger cities or tourist areas. If you don’t know the local cost in Baht of an item or ride, or don’t seem confident, you will be asked to pay a much higher price than the actual worth of the item or service. It is also common for tuk-tuk drivers to take detours on the way to your destination to try to sell you products from stores they partner with to rip off foreigners, so if a driver won’t take you directly to your destination, just get off immediately. If your program doesn’t include transport, food, or extracurricular activities, expect to budget about $300–$600 a month.
After choosing to study abroad in Thailand, students should check out GoAbroad’s Scholarship Directory to see what type of financial aid awards they may be eligible for.
Study abroad programs in Thailand offer a variety of housing options for international students.
U.S. citizens do not need a tourist visa if they enter the country by air and are participating in a short-term study abroad programs in Thailand. These students will be allowed up to 30 days to complete their visit. However, those going on programs that last over 30 days will need to apply for a tourist visa. Tourist visas allow students to stay for 60 days in Thailand and are valid for 90 days from the date of issue. For any duration longer than 60 days, international students will have to apply for a visa extension (Contact or visit a consulate or embassy in your home country before traveling to Thailand to make sure you have all the information you need to know about visas).
When applying for a visa, make sure you have a current passport (valid for at least six months), two additional passport photos, your travel itinerary, and a bank statement. If you’re under 20 you will be required to send a few additional documents too. All applicants should expect to pay about $90 for a visa.
Get answers to the questions travelers ask most
You shouldn't pass up an amazing opportunity to study abroad in Thailand. Experience its breathtaking beauty for yourself, where there are countless experiences and travel is convenient and inexpensive.
Despite regional price variations, the country is generally quite reasonable for individuals on a limited budget. Set a monthly budget of $300 to $600 if your program does not provide transportation, meals, or extracurricular activities.
International students can take classes in English, but locals will persuade you to try Thai as well! Bangkok has far greater levels of English proficiency than the nearby areas, and the majority of Thais are English speakers.
The most common courses for study abroad in Thailand are business, international relations, and marketing; however, there are also courses available in communications, environmental studies, photography, and creative writing.
Hear what past participants have to say about their experiences
I loved being at the Aauja site. Everyone was so welcoming and I felt so appreciated and felt like they were open to the information and therapy we could offer. All the cultural experiences were awesome. The elephant sanctuary was amazing and I loved seeing a temple first hand.
This was such a great experience, filled with memorable moments and unique opportunities for learning. Once we arrived, there were so many opportunities to explore the community and experience Thai culture beyond the classroom and clinic. One of my favorite activities was the cooking class, which was amazing. Preparing food offered a hands-on way to learn about the culture while enjoying the experience with our group. I also appreciated how our guides responded to our interests. When we expressed interest in visiting temples, they planned an opportunity for us to go into the community and explore them. Seeing the temples in person was beautiful and gave us a greater appreciation for the traditions and cultural significance of these spaces. Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary was another unforgettable experience and truly a highlight of a lifetime. Being there was something I will always remember and felt incredibly special. Overall, this trip offered much more than I could have learned through coursework alone. The combination of cultural experiences, community exploration, and shared learning made it meaningful. I am grateful for the thought and planning that went into these opportunities and for the memories and perspectives I will carry with me moving forward.
I enjoyed each activity that was planned for us! I appreciated how our group leaders listened to our needs and were flexible with our schedule so that we could participate in all of things that we wanted to do. Each guide was kind and cared about what we were doing. Translations were timely and accurate!
This was a great trip! I really appreciated Pooi, Pan, and Amber's planning and adaptability. It was very well organized and I couldn't believe they managed all 25 of us. They were great at answering our questions and helping us around the city. It went very smoothly and I had the best time ever.


Truly wish experience was so amazing and it wouldn't have been without the help from the TherapyAbroad team they truly became like family to us and we all cried leaving them and saying goodbye at the airport. I cannot describe in words how meaningful this trip went to me, I will remember it forever.
I had an incredible time with this experience. I learned so much about therapy in another part of the world and about the Thai culture. It helped me to see from another perspective that will contribute to how I am as a future OT practitioner. The foundations we were at were very supportive of our learning, allowing us to think outside the box and feel like real OTs. I also think the cultural experiences (especially the elephant encounter) were extremely meaningful to being fully immersed in the culture and created memories that I will never forget.



Getting to see multiple parts of Thailand was incredible, from the clinical site to the elephant sanctuary to the adaptive rock climbing. I loved getting to see more of the country than just the square.
I was unsure about traveling to Thailand at first. By the end of our first day, I was sure that this was going to be an amazing trip. By the end of the trip, I was overwhelmed with excitement by the amount of memories made and experiences had.
I cannot be more thankful for Pann, Pui, and Amber and their guidance throughout our trip. They really made this experience for me. The entire program program was flexible and adaptable to changes, very kind and welcoming, provided plenty of cultural experiences, and also very helpful as far as translation and providing cultural insight. I'll cherish it forever. Thank you!
They were excellent hosts that provided a great balance of education, cultural experiences, and fun! They were very open to any questions. The activities planned were great to do as a group, and meals were great for exploring culture.
I had an amazing experience with Therapy Abroad. Amber was a huge help when communicating with my client, and with her support, I was able to develop a really positive relationship with her. All of the activities were meaningful and gave me the opportunity to apply what I have learned in occupational therapy school in a completely different cultural setting. I also loved getting to experience Thailand outside of the clinical setting. The elephant experience was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip, and the food was so good. Before coming, I honestly did not know very much about Thailand, so it was really exciting to learn more about the culture, the people, and the environment while actually being there. Overall, the trip was such a positive experience, and I am very grateful for everything I learned and the relationships I made. I would absolutely love to come back to Thailand someday.



Overall, the trip with TherapyAbroad was lovely. Everything was so organized and it really strengthened our ability to be fully immersed in the culture and experience as a whole. I would recommend anyone travel with this program in the future.
My experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was one of the most eye-opening and special experiences I have ever been a part of. It was such a privilege to be able to work with the community and individuals there.
This experience was so incredible! I learned and experienced so much. I already want to go back and also this experience lit a fire in me to continue doing international experiences related to OT. The therapy abroad/progression facilitators were AMAZING and made the trip so smooth so that we could just fully immerse ourselves into the culture and fieldwork experience.

This week was well orchestrated and I was able to learn and see so much. It was a great experience immersing into Thai culture. The week’s activities were very fun and great learning experiences, especially the cooking class. Everyone was so friendly and I loved the work I got to do at Au Jaá.
This trip has made and will continue to make a lasting impact on me! I built such a great connection with my partner as well as all the staff I had the pleasure of working with. I did not think I could make such a difference or have such a profound experience within the 3 clinic days we had. But I truly was able to realize how much knowledge I have and also how much can be done with so little. Everyone I met was extremely kind and generous, and all of the activities we completed (in and out of the clinic) were fun and insightful. I highly recommend Xavier going to Thailand again, and I can't wait to see more updates in the future!
This was an incredibly rewarding experience that I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do. I was amazed to see how much these communities can do with such limited resources. I loved immersing myself in another culture, especially one that is completely different than my own. It was so beneficial for my learning as a future healthcare provider to consider all upbringings and cultures, and how each one values differ.
I would recommend this trip to anyone considering growth in so many different ways. I am so thankful for everyone who made this entire experience possible and so enriching. Such an incredible trip and learning opportunity!
This experience was so well put together and fully enriching. From the food, the people, and the all-around culture, it was one of the greatest experiences I have had. Therapy abroad ensured every part of this program went smoothly, and every person was well accounted for.
The Therapy Abroad team made this trip as wonderful as it was. Pan, Pui, and Amber were so involved and always willing to help. They were so so organized and had everything so thoughtfully planned out. It made everything else we were doing so much easier and more enjoyable.
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

Hannah Emerson
Webster University
AlumniBefore going to Thailand through Webster’s study abroad program, I had been an exchange student in high school in Germany through the Congress-Bundest...
Read Full Interview
Mandy Good
Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
Alumni
Maria Jacob
University Studies Abroad Consortium
AlumniI wanted to go abroad again, and figured it was a great opportunity to travel as a college student. Many of my friends who had done programs were real...
Read Full InterviewExplore the destinations and program types travelers search for most
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