Study Abroad

Thailand

Spring 2011

Elephants cross the riverHeld in a fascinating part of the developing world and led by a Simpson professor, the "Simpson Experience Abroad" in Thailand gives students the chance to learn about Thai culture and language through significant interactions with host country nationals.

The program is based at Simpson's partner institution, Christian University of Thailand in Nakhon Pathom.  It begins with a two week introduction to Thai culture and history which will likely include visits to the Bangkok area, followed by a five week period of intensive Thai language instruction from instructors and language partners at CTU. Following this, students will then explore Buddhism for two weeks, both in the classroom as well as by observing and participating in day-to-day activities of a Buddhist temple. After a week off for spring break, students then have the opportunity to either engage in a service learning project, an internship, or delve into a directed independent study for the next four-week period, or they can enroll in the course "Social Problems in Southeast Asia" taught by Professor Friedrich. At the conclusion of the four weeks, students will come together for a week at the Baptist Retreat Center at Hua Hin to reflect upon, and process, their semester-long experiences and to prepare for the arrival of the incoming May Term students.

cooking schoolDuring May Term, the students in the semester program will present their independent projects and teach a bit of language to the newly arrived May Term students in addition to traveling (along with the new arrivals) to several locations in Thailand that they likely haven't already visited such as Kanchanaburi, Korat, and Ko Samet. At the conclusion of May Term, both the semester students as well as the May Term students will then travel back to the U.S. together.

 

Cost of the program
To participate in the program, students pay Simpson tuition, room and board plus a program fee of $1,500.  In addition, students are also responsible for covering their air transportation costs to and from Thailand (approximately $1,500 from Des Moines).

Requirements
Students must take a one-credit hour orientation course during the fall semester preceeding the semester in Thailand. Students must also have a grade point average of at least 2.25 both at the time of appliacation for the program, and at the time of departure in order to be able to study abroad.

To apply for admission into 2011 the program, students should take the following actions by Friday, Mar. 5, 2010:

Submit the following items to the Office of International Education (located at 711 North D Street, which is located in a white house on the SW corner of D and Girard Streets, across from the BSC parking lot):

  • Two copies of the completed the application form
  • A one to two page personal statement explaining why you're interested in this semester program and how it fits into your educational goals.
  • A copy of your current degree audit.
  • The names and contact information for two people who could serve as references (neither of whom are related to you and at least one should be a Simpson professor).
  • A copy of the data page from your passport, and if you don't already have a (valid) passport, apply for one and make a photocopy of your completed application form but black out your social security number on the form.

By April 2, 2010, go to the Simpson College Business Office and:

  • Make a $200 non-refundable deposit for the program (these funds will be returned to you should you not get accepted into the program).

By October 22, 2010, go to the Simpson College Business Office and:

  • Make a second deposit payment in the amount of $1,300 to cover the remainder of the program fee.  If you have financial aid that has been approved and will cover your study abroad program's costs, then you don't have to make this payment.  Talk with Tracie Pavon in Financial Assistance if you have questions.

For more information, contact:

Marzia Corni-Benson
Acting International Education Coordinator
Simpson College
701 North C Street
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-1288
toll free (800) 362-2454, ext. 1288
marzia.corni-benson@simpson.edu

Last Updated: 7/21/09