Student Life

Southeast Asia-Based Staff

Upon arrival in the region, you will be met by our on-site Resident Director who will provide assistance throughout your time in Thailand and Cambodia. 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.

Cambodia
Maryann Bylander, Resident Director Maryann has been living in Cambodia since 2007, when she came for PhD research and stayed to work with PEPY, a non-profit working in education in Siem Reap. Originally from Austin, Texas, Maryann graduated from Rice University and earned a Masters Degree in Sociology at UT-Austin before beginning her PhD work. A strong advocate of studying and working abroad, Maryann has lived in France, Switzerland, Japan, and aboard Peace Boat, a Japanese NGO based at sea. Favorite Destinations: Anchorage, USA; Kampot, Cambodia; Siciliy, Italy; Mulange, Malawi; and Zermatt, Switzerland
Daniela Papi, Site Director Daniela is the director and founder of PEPY, an educational development organization working in rural Cambodia. PEPY focuses on building the capacity of teachers and communities to increase access to quality education. Daniela is active in the "Voluntourism" sector speaking regularly on the potential negative effects of this growing trend, while encouraging industry players to be self-reflective and proactive in measuring their impact. PEPY was the winner of the Notre Dame Social Venture Business Plan Competition and a 2009 National Geographic Geotourism Challenge Winner. Daniela, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, has lived and worked in Asia for the past eight years and is based in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Favorite Destinations: Cambodia (of course!) and Papua New Guinea

Thailand
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.

Study Asia-Sponsored Semester Activities

Teaching English to Monks - Students can choose to teach English to novice monks at a nearby schooling temple. Novice monks are aged between 10 to 15 years old. Students assist in a class of approximately 10-20 monks with English-learning games, singing and other classroom activities. Students spend two hours in the classroom per week with the monks.
Playgroup at a local orphanage - Students spend one afternoon a week at a local orphanage assisting with the carers of orphan children. The children are aged between newborns and 4-years-old. Activities include assisting with meal times and general playground supervision.

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 Southeast Asia

Zip through the exotic sights and sounds of Southeast Asian cities on the back of a tuk-tuk.
Introduce your tastebuds to local delicacies, including fish amok in Cambodia and khao sawy in Chiang Mai.
Ride on the back of an elephant as you explore the northern hill tribe villages of Thailand.
Sip a coffe while watching the day end over the convergence of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh.
Snap photos of monkeys lining the roads in the Angkor complex.