Student Life

Thailand-based Staff

Upon arrival in Thailand, you will be met by our on-site Resident Director who will provide assistance throughout your time in Chiang Mai. Through informal meetings and excursions, our staff is readily available and able to assist you with any academic, social, or cultural issues that you may face during your time abroad.

Pongsdhorn (Kai) Lertsukon

Kai was born in northern Thailand in 1958 and attended school in Chiang Mai before joining the Thai military in 1974. His military career was a highly decorated one and lasted almost 20 years. After leaving the military he returned to Chiang Mai University where he completed his BA majoring in Marketing. Kai had a strong desire to meet people from all over the world so he also undertook Thai Tourism training and became a licensed tourist guide.

He started his own company in 1999 and has focused on small highly educational experiences for visitors to Northern Thailand since then. Kai has designed and led many cultural and academic excursions for students from Australian and US universities over the past 15 years and brings an incredible knowledge of his region and Thai customs and a true cross-cultural understanding to his role as Resident Director for Thailand. He lives in Chiang Mai with his family, and his daughter just became the youngest concert violinist for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

In addition, The Education Abroad Network utilizes several Program Representatives and support staff in the United States and overseas to help administer and market the programs. All of the support personnel have previously studied, lived, or worked abroad and can provide unique insight into the study abroad experience.

Internet & Cell Phones

Wireless Internet is included for students who are living in Payap University’s housing. Students are provided with a cell phone/SIM card upon arrival with enough credit to make initial calls. Students are assisted with procedures for purchasing additional credit, which is relatively inexpensive in Thailand.

Immersion

Volunteer Opportunity

One of the absolute best ways to get involved in a host culture is to spend time volunteering. Study Asia gives students a unique opportunity to meet local youth while also improving their own language and cultural understanding. Participants either spend a couple of hours each week with local novice monks, helping these young men improve their English abilities, or volunteering at a local orphanage where young children and local staff appreciate the attention given to those who are in need. Studying in a classroom setting is important, but sometimes the more informal lessons are the ones that really stick.

Housing with Thai Roommates

Study Asia offers students a unique living experience to aid in cultural immersion on a daily basis. Our housing allows students to room with a Thai student. Roommates are all local university students and are on hand to help program participants assimilate into a new culture. While eating dinner at an off-the-beaten-path restaurant with your Thai roommate, take the time to gain valuable local knowledge over a bowl of tom yum soup. Study Asia students and local Thai students all gain from this experience with increased global awareness and improved language skills.

Resident Director Events

Our Chiang Mai Resident Director offers students the opportunity to ‘dish’ about their time at school and living in the city through informal ‘coffee breaks.’ Monthly informal dinners and meetings, as well as special weekend excursions, make our on-site staff an important part of your international experience.

Living Life as a Local in Chiang Mai

Nearly everything in the city is within walking distance or a short ride in a tuk-tuk. The situation is perfect for study-abroad students, who are encouraged not to drive in their host country.
Plan on regularly getting out of the city to take a break in the nearby surrounding hills.
Popular Thai activities include trekking, tennis, badminton, and martial arts.
Chiang Mai is surrounded by craft villages, each with a different focus, including woodworking, ceramics, umbrella-making, jewelry, sculpture, and more. For an inexpensive way to shop, visit these various nearby villages.
Visit a different temple every day–the city has hundreds of them.