Semester in Thailand

Spring and May Term, 2009

Elephants cross the river Held 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 begins with a two week introduction to Thai culture and history in the Bangkok area, followed by a five week period of intensive Thai language instruction at Payap University in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Following this, students will then explore Buddhism for two weeks, both in the classroom (at Payap U.) 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 an independent study for the next four-week period. At the conclusion of the four weeks, students will come together for a week at a retreat center to reflect upon, and process, their semester-long experiences and to prepare for the arrival of the incoming May Term students.

cooking school During 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 their regular Simpson tuition, room and board plus a $1,500 program fee which includes the roundtrip airfare from Des Moines to Bangkok.

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 the program, students should take the following actions by Friday, Mar. 7, 2008:

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 1, 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).

For more information, contact:

ornate building Lora Friedrich
Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Simpson College
(515) 961-1646
lora.friedrich@simpson.edu

Jay P. 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


	Simpson Experience Abroad London Schorndorf Seville Thailand May Term Int'l Travel Courses Affiliated Programs Resources
The "Simpson Experience Abroad" in Thailand *Spring and May Term, 2009* Held 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 begins with a two week introduction to Thai culture and history in the Bangkok area, followed by a five week period of intensive Thai language instruction at Payap University in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Following this, students will then explore Buddhism for two weeks, both in the classroom (at Payap U.) 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 an independent study for the next four-week period. At the conclusion of the four weeks, students will come together for a week at a retreat center to reflect upon, and process, their semester-long experiences and to prepare for the arrival of the incoming May Term students. During 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 their regular Simpson tuition, room and board plus a $1,500 program fee which includes the roundtrip airfare from Des Moines to Bangkok. 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 the program, students should take the following actions by Friday, Mar. 7, 2008: 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 1, 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). For more information, contact: Lora Friedrich Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice Simpson College (515) 961-1646 lora.friedrich@simpson.edu or Jay P. 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
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