Study Abroad

Thailand

Spring 2013

Elephants cross the riverThe faculty director for the Spring 2013 Thailand program will be Professor Jack Gittinger, and the program will be based at Simpson's partner institution, Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

At Payap University, Simpson students will join other international students to participate in Payap's Thai and Southeast Asian Studies Program.   All students will take six credit hours of Thai language, a three-credit course on the Cultural Foundations of Thai Society, a two-credit hour study abroad reflection course led by Professor Gittinger, and one or two three-credit elective courses. Elective courses are generally offered in the following subject areas: Sociology/Anthropology, Religion, History/Political Science, and Fine Arts. Professor Gittinger will be offering "Comparative Education: an International Perspective" as a four-credit hour elective as one option.

This program offers field trips, excursions, and cultural activities throughout the semester which provide students the opportunity to learn even more about Thailand and Thai culture.Kelly Hein cooking in Thailand

Cost of the program
To participate in the program, students pay Simpson tuition, room and board plus a program fee of between $2,800-$3,300 (actual costs will be announced later).  In addition, students are also responsible for covering their air transportation costs to and from Chiang Mai (approximately $1,500-$1,800 from Des Moines).

Requirements
Students must take a one-credit hour orientation course during the fall semester preceding the semester in Thailand. Students must also have a grade point average of at least 2.5 both at the time of application for the program, and at the time of departure in order to be able to study abroad.

To apply for admission into 2013 the program, students should take the following actions by Monday, Apr. 2, 2012:

Submit the following items to the Office of International Education (located in Maple House on North D Street, across from the Campus Center construction site):

  • 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 photo page from your passport, if you already have it, but if you don’t already have a passport, then provide a copy of your completed passport application (with your SSN blacked out).
  • Proof of having made a non-refundable $200 deposit payment to the Business Office.

When you drop off your application materials, you will be asked to sign up for a 15-minute interview with the Program Director and the International Education Coordinator, which will take place during the week of Apr. 2, 2012.

Students will be notified of their status in the Thailand program during the week of Apr. 9, 2012.  A second deposit payment of $300 will be due by Oct. 15, 2012.

Final program payment is due to be paid with Spring Semester tuition, room, and board prior to December 31.

For more information, contact:

Professor Jack Gittinger
Program Director
Professor of Education
(515) 961-1308
Jack.Gittinger@simpson.edu, or

Jay Wilkinson
International Education Coordinator
Simpson College
701 North C Street
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-1288
toll free (800) 362-2454, ext. 1288
Jay.Wilkinson@simpson.edu

Last Updated: 3/23/12