Thailand Country Orientation

1
Thailand Country Orientation

• Supattra Lerknant

2
Packing

• Luggage
• Suitcases
• Backpacks
• Duffel Bag
• What to take (pack minimally)
• EAP Packet
• Minimal, light breathing cotton material
  clothes
• Flip flops
• Umbrella
• Comfortable fitting shoes
• An unlocked cell phone
• What to leave
• Winter clothes! Its Thailand!
• Blow dryers, hair straighteners, curling irons,
  etc.
• Converter
• Printer
• Things you wouldnt normally think of bringing
• Photos of family friends, etc.
• Flash Drive

3
Financial

• How much to bring and what form?
• Estimated cost 2,735
• Cash is best
• Accessing money
• ATMs
• All major Credit Cards
• Banking
• Open an account to keep money
• Exchange when rates are high
• Avoid taking money out of ATMs, probably cheaper
  to just buy something directly with a Check Card
  or Credit Card

4
Host Culture

• Crucial No-Nos
• Manners
• Time Punctuality
• Eye contact
• Major holidays
• Religion
• Americans?
• U.S.-Thai Relations?
• Thailands Past

5
Cultural Adjustment and Survival

• Illness/Depression/Loneliness
• The Curve
• Get out, talk with your peers, travel, take a
  walk
• Keeping a journal
• Xanga
• Facebook
• Communicating home
• Cell phone, email, text message (postal service
  hard to find)
• Adapt
• Keep an open mind
• Be flexible

6
Arrival Start-Up

• Where will you arrive?
• Suvanabhumi Airport
• Taxi
• Liason Ajarn Thanet
• Orientation!
• About a half day session
• Met by Ajarn Geerson
• Meet other international kids and UC students!

7
Academics

• Choosing and enrolling in classes
• Depending on the program you chose Thai Studies,
  Economics, Business Administration
• Grading System
• A-F
• Shouldnt be too challenging if you try
• Communicate with your Academic Counselor BEFORE
  you leave!
• Whats different?

8
Daily LIfe

• Housing options
• My Suggestions 3J Court, Ruen Indra, Juldis
  Mansion
• Weather HOT!
• Health
• Intl Hospitals Bumrungrad, Simitivate, Siriraj
• 24 hour Clinics
• Pharmacies common
• Food Drink
• No ice drink bottled water
• Street Vendors a must!
• Cafeteria GOOOOD!

• Local Transportation
• Bus
• Ferry
• Taxis
• For General Travel
• BTS Sky Train
• MRT Subway
• Public/Private buses (North South Lines)
• Train
• Domestic Airlines Nok-Air, AirAsia, Thai
  Airways, BKK Airlines, Phuket Air, PB Air, Orient
  Thai

9
Student Life

• Free time? Activities? Leisure?
• Loy-Kratong making
• Thai cooking class
• Thai boxing trip
• Thai kickboxing class
• Field trips to other provinces
• Class trips to Grand Palace
• United Nations
• Night life bars clubs
• My suggestions Khao-san Rd, Route 66 (RCA),
  Sukhumvit Soi 4
• Relationships
• Sex, contraceptives, and AIDS Visit a nearby
  7-11
• Study Center Activities

10
Your greatest joys are your own experiences

• BE SMART, STAY SAFE, HAVE FUN!