Spend a semester in the exotic and modern international city of Bangkok, Thailand. The program site is a prestigious university with an entire college dedicated towards internationalization through courses taught in English for both Thai students and students from all over the world.  With hundreds of course offerings in English, cultural and social activities galore, and a setting in the beautiful and friendly "Land of Smiles", this program is ideal for students looking to broaden their horizons, experience Southeast Asia, and choose from a wide range of academic courses.

The Semester in Thailand enhances students’ global perspectives through a blend of academic coursework, field studies, excursions to cultural sites, and hands-on development project experience.  Program courses, taught by professors in English, offer authentic and insightful perspectives while deepening students’ understanding of Thailand, Southeast Asia and the international realm.  Students of this program get to experience a unique combination of a modern city setting and the spirituality of Buddhist Thailand.  Consider the rich landscape of Thailand and you have an equation for an unforgettable experience.

Jungles, beaches, artisan villages, and cultural and historical sites abound in Thailand.  Take a bike ride or a motorcycle taxi to class, indulge yourself with a Thai massage, ride an elephant, meet a friend downtown at Siam Square, or learn the martial art of Thai boxing. There is so much to explore in Thailand, whether on the tropical beaches, bustling marketplaces, or eating your favorite Thai dish for the first time in the country that invented it.  Thailand is a natural gateway to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim and provides an unforgettable experience for all who travel here.

In cooperation with ProWorld Service Corps'. ProThailand based in Chiang Mai, the semester program includes a four day excursion to Chiang Mai, where students will be able to involve themselves in culture and development issues of this incredible city.  Possible activities include hikes, visits to hill tribe communities, and assistance at elephant refugee centers.

Students will live at International Houses at Chaiyapruk Village or Green Park Home. Chaiyapruk Village is fully furnished and equipped with individually controlled air conditioners, bathrooms, and telephone. This housing is located just a 10-minute bike ride from Mahidol University. Chaiyapruk also has its own swimming pool, sport center and restaurant, which offers a take away and phone order service. Additional facilities include: computer/internet access, laundry room, kitchen and dining area, lounge with TV/cable, common room, study room, day/night security guards, room cleaning service (twice a week), and bicycle rental (including helmets).

Green Park Home is also fully furnished with air conditioning, wardrobe, desk, bed and shared bathrooms. This housing is located just 10 minutes by bus from Mahidol University. Green Park also has Internet access, cable TV, laundry, telephone, lounge, kitchen, cleaning service and 24 hour security system. The dormitory is also surrounded by restaurants, mini-marts and gardens.

Semester in Thailand students are enrolled at Mahidol University just outside of Bangkok for 16 to 20 credits. Jacksonville University accredits the program and provides transcripts upon successful completion. IEP and Jacksonville University offer the following curriculum at Mahidol University, a prestigious university with an excellent international outreach and focus.  Students may also choose the Culture and Development Studies Semester.

Courses available at Mahidol University

Animation Production
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art
Biological Sciences
Business Administration
Business Economics
Communication Design
Chemistry
Chinese
Computer Science
Ecology
English Communications
English Studies
Entertainment Media Production
Environmental Studies
Film Production
Finance
Food Science and Technology
French
German
Health Education
History
Humanities
Information Systems
International Business
International Studies
Japanese
Literature
Mathematics
Marketing
Modern Languages
Natural Sciences
Nursing Science
Philosophy
Photography
Physical Education
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Science
Social Science
Sociology
Southeast Asian Studies
Thai (Language, Music and Culture)
Television Production
Travel Industry Management

Students should choose at least 4 courses and 4 alternates prior to program departure to ensure they receive a full credit load upon returning from their semester abroad.

*Courses taught in English

*Some courses, such as art and labs, may have additional fees.

*An official transcript will be issued to each student upon the completion of the program.

In collaboration with ProWorld Service Corps. the following courses are recommended for students who wish to focus on topics related to culture and development, at a Thailand, Southeast Asia and global scale:

ELEMENTARY THAI

4 CREDITS
This course begins with elements of fundamental grammar and basic vocabulary.

At the end of the course, students will master basic communication skills as well as basic reading and writing skills.

INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL STUDIES

4 CREDITS

This course looks at culture in the modern world; Semiotics; how culture is defined and created; modernity, post-modernity, and technoculture; dominant and minority cultural forms; gender, sexuality and ethnicity; globalism and post-colonialism; and the culture of everyday life.

ECONOMICS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

4 CREDITS
Study of the national and regional economies of Southeast Asia; agriculture; Industry, finance and the service sector; the role of government; development and economic change in the post-war period; regional and international economic relation; present economic trends.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES

4 CREDITS
A general study of the Southeast Asian region: its distinctive characteristics, geography, societies and cultures, economies, and history; the development of "Southeast Asian Studies" as a discipline; an introduction to other courses on the region.

THAI SOCIETY AND CULTURE

4 CREDITS
Traditional Thai culture, social structure and hierarchy; interpersonal relations; kreng jai; family; the role of Buddhism and animism; folk traditions (birth, life, marriage, death, etc.); the modern period; the impact of Chinese, Western and Japanese culture; business culture; the rural-urban divide.

POVERTY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

4 CREDITS
The problems of poverty, especially in the agrarian sector; the successes and challenges of rural development and the consequences of change; comparison of the solutions and policies adopted in the various countries of the region.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

4 CREDITS
The development of international organizations since the 19th century; their nature, function and purpose; contemporary global and regional international organizations (the United Nations, ILO, WTO, and the IMF; the EU, ASEAN, NAFTA, APEC, etc.); their effectiveness and future.

PATTERNS AND CONSEQUENCES OF DEVELOPMENT

4 CREDITS
Concepts of political and economic development; policies, structures and patterns of change; production and investment priorities; the consequences of economic transformation in poor countries; contrasting results in Asia, Africa and Latin America; urbanization and urban-rural relations; social and economic stratification; problems and challenges relating to commerce, travel and the communication revolutions.

TOURISM: DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL CHANGE

4 CREDITS
The role of tourism in economic development; the impact of tourism upon traditional culture and the effects of tourism upon the patterns of cultural change: destruction, preservation, and construction; the role of traditional culture in attracting tourists.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

4 CREDITS
Sustainable development: guiding principles and approaches; 1972 Stockholm Earth Summit; 1992 Rio Earth Summit; Agenda 21; 2002 Johannesburg World Summit; outcomes of the summits; the role of UN agencies, NGOs, governments, businesses and individuals; industry and farming and the environment; population; poverty and inequality; food and agriculture.

GLOBAL RESOURCES

4 CREDITS
The availability, distribution and uses of the world's resources: food, water, land, soil, minerals, energy, fisheries, etc; resource depletion and optimal usage; public policies, international agreements and business needs as related to the production, distribution and exchange of resources; relevant technological and scientific developments; future prospects.

GLOBAL CHANGE IN THE LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY

4 CREDITS
A study of the global structures and transformations of the late twentieth century; the global economy; food supply; population; disease; environment, resources, and pollution; communications; geopolitics; national states, regional, and international organizations; minorities; the role of women; warfare and terrorism; migration and refugees; crime; culture.

INDIGENOUS CULTURES IN THE MODERN WORLD

4 CREDITS
Small-scale and tribal societies in the modern world; the impact of incorporation into modern states; cultural change, resistance and survival.

NGOS AND POLITICAL AND BUSINESS CONTEXTS

4 CREDITS
The history and development of Non-Governmental Organizations at the national and international levels; the identification of social issues: slavery, women's and minority rights, civilians and the injured in wartime, refugees, civil rights, environmental issues, global political and economic movements; the relation of NGOs to the state and international organizations; the politics, organization and finance of NGOs; NGOs in relationship to business.

SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENT STUDIES

2 CREDITS
Student presentations and discussions of research or topics of current interest in environment such as Conflict Resolution, Trade and Environment, Sustainable Development, Environmental Ethics, Public Communication, Decentralization, etc.

Fall 2009:

Airport pickup: September 10-13

Orientation: September 14

Field Trip: September 15

Classes: September 21 – December 13, 2009

Spring 2010:

Airport pickup: December 26-28 (2009)

Orientation: December 29

Field Trip: December 30

Classes: January 4 - March 28 (2010)

$8,950

*cost may change at any time due to the currency exchange

• Tuition
• Housing
• Travel Insurance
• Excursions
• Airport Pickup
• Support Services

• Fill out the IEP Application and review information on the Apply page.
• Pay a $200 deposit to International Education Programs.
• Send an official transcript from your home institution to the address below.

Send the above materials to:

International Education Programs
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd North
Gooding 105
Jacksonville, Florida 32211

"While I was on my trip in Thailand, I was able to experience how Thai people lived and how their culture integrated many aspects such as Buddhism to create how they experienced their lives.  It was truly a culture shock for me but it was a good culture shock.  I have never experienced any culture like this before and even though I was out of my comfort zone, the Thai culture made me feel right at home.  Thailand was truly the "Land of Smiles".

Keisha