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Why Thailand & Cambodia?

Location

The region of Southeast Asia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and diverse areas of the world. Culturally rich, the area is home to fascinating ethnic groups with a variety of languages and religions. The Kingdom of Thailand, formerly known as Siam, has the longest reigning monarch in the world and is the only country in Southeast Asia never to be formally colonized by a Western power. A founding member of ASEAN, Thailand lies at the geographical center of Southeast Asia and has undergone rapid development as a newly industrialized country (NIC) offering both modern conveniences and traditional ways of life. The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea and the successor state of the great ancient Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, on the other hand, was the last country to join ASEAN in 1999 after suffering at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge from 1975-1979 and then a long period of Vietnamese control of its governance. Cambodia emerged from a prolonged civil war in the 1990s and, although still one of the poorest countries in the region, has experienced rapid development over the past decade and is poised to play a major role in ASEAN in the coming years.

Thailand and Cambodia have a complicated history of mutual aggression and domination, harkening back to the ancient wars between the Khmer and Sukhothai Empires and leading up to contemporary political spats and border disputes. Undertaking a semester of comparative study of Southeast Asia through spending time in both Thailand and Cambodia offers a unique perspective on the region, its history, traditions and prospects for the future.

Note: These two fascinating countries are both extremely safe to travel in and open to the international community. Students participating in the program will be accompanied by Payap University faculty during their time in Cambodia and will also be assisted by local Cambodian staff. Courses in Cambodia will be team-taught by Payap University and Universiy of Cambodia professors.

Payap University

Payap University, established in 1974, was Thailand's first fully accredited private university. With a student enrollment of 6,500 students plus 350 international students, the university has continued to grow and expand its facilities, including adding a wide range of international programs to introduce its diverse student body to culturally rich Chiang Mai.

Payap University's pleasant main campus features a leafy green environment with a mixture of modern and older buildings. A chapel forms the campus's centerpiece and blends Christian and Buddhist heritage with a spire and a roof in the shape of a giant lotus. Students enjoy the green space and convenient walkways that sprawl across campus.

The university is located fifteen minutes from city center and Chiang Mai's famous Night Bazaar. Many affordable restaurants and bars surround campus and one of Chiang Mai's largest superstores is within walking distance.

University of Cambodia

With its main campus in Phnom Pehn, the capital of Cambodia, the University of Cambodia is fully registered with the country's Royal Government and is also registered with the Accredidation Committee of Cambodia. The university is based on the American credit-based system and all courses are taught in English. The founder of the university recognized the importance of broadening student perspectives and thus assisting them in an ever-expanding global market.
 

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