Summer in Thailand

Why Life in Bangkok

How to sum up the thrilling city of Bangkok? Home to serene spiritual temples and pulsing nightlife, Bangkok is in a class of its own! Nearly 10 million people live in Thailand’s capital, which is a dynamic city synonymous with the exotic. Bangkok is also a dominating force in Asian finance and business. Moreover, it has global influences on politics, culture, fashion, and entertainment.

There’s a shroud of mystery over Bangkok that lures nearly 11 million visitors each year. Hop in a tuk-tuk (a three-wheeled motorized cart) and zip in and out of traffic as you visit the Grand Palace, the Vimanmek Palace Complex, and the thousands of temples around the city. Discover and embrace the amazing international cuisine, bustling street markets, and extraordinary energy around you. Your study abroad program is located in the city of Salaya, with easy access by bus, private van, skytrain, or taxi into the heart of Bangkok.

Thanks to Bangkok’s proximity to the equator, you’ll enjoy warm weather year round. Take a break from the city to visit the many jungles, beaches, artisan villages, and cultural/historical sites in Thailand. Indulge yourself with a Thai massage, ride an elephant, take a cooking class, or learn the martial art of Thai boxing. Whether you’re exploring the cuisine, the tropical beaches on the coast, or the animated markets, Thailand will be an unforgettable study abroad experience!

Live La Vida Local

• Chinatown

  Yaowarat, one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world, experience amazing street food, narrow alleys packed with shops of all kinds, great snack and a unique cultural experience. Don’t forget to check on the 12 ton golden buddha at Wat Traimit, it was lost for almost 200 years.

• Siam BTS

  Some of the biggest malls in Asia, see penguins, lamborghinis, watch an IMAX or go ice skating all in one of the busiest and most up-market parts of Bangkok.

• Asiatique

  Take a boat down the river and enjoy Thai and other seafood along the waterfront in a beautiful setting.

• Chatujak Weekend Market

  One of the biggest markets in Bangkok, more than you can see in a single day, a great place to find unique and beautiful Thai goods, presents, clothes and other souvenirs

• Kanchanaburi

  Take a day trip to this small town to see the famous death railway from world war 2, and camp at the beautiful Erawan park,close to a seven level water fall.

• Street Food

  Don’t forget to try some of the many kinds of amazing street food, this is one of the must do experiences for you stay in Thailand, sample the noodles, pat thai, curries, fresh fruit, homemade ice cream and so much more.

Location

If you’re looking for a lot of creature comforts, and a more active atmosphere, Bundit is for you! The newly constructed Bundit residence is a large, modern facility comprised of several high-rise buildings. Bundit apartments come with many amenities, including an outdoor pool with a large spirit house, exercise gym, restaurant, and convenience store.

The spacious rooms boast very modern furnishings including a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a desk, and a refrigerator. Bundit has both self-service laundry as well as a laundry service, where you can drop your laundry and pick it up, finished and folded.

A shuttle service to campus is offered daily. Bundit is about a five-minute taxi or shuttle ride from Mahidol University, or a 20-25 minute walk. Central Salaya Mall is about a 10-minute cab ride from either housing location, so you can buy anything else you need there.

Check out the photo gallery to see what Bundit housing is like.

Meals

The apartments are self-catered so students will need to prepare or purchase their own meals. Although there are no kitchens in the housing, there are many inexpensive eateries with delicious local food.

Inclusions and Amenities

• BathroomEnsuite
• CommuteShuttle
• Double Room
• Fitness Center
• LaundryOn-siteService Available
• Pool
• Television
• Wi-Fi

Inclusions

Program fees are in US dollars and include the following:

• Cultural and recreational excursions and activities in Salaya
• One guided weekend excursion
• Full-time tuition and fees
• Housing (guest room)
• Medical and accident insurance
• CISabroad support services before, during, and after the program
• Academic advising
• Financial aid counseling
• Assistance with travel arrangements
• Pre-departure orientation
• Airport pickup
• On-site support
• Official transcript from Mahidol University
• La Vida Local cultural program

Welcome & Orientation

Upon arrival you’ll take part in both the university and CISabroad orientation program. You’ll learn the “do’s and don’ts” of living in Thailand. Where to go out, how to stay safe, where to shops are how to get around. In the afternoon you will participate in the Thai Cultural values training, where staff will cover the differences in working and communication style between Thailand and the West.

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

At the end of the program we will all get together for one last epic meal and talk about your adventures and experiences. Our staff will also share some precious tips on going back home feeling like a champ! Your study abroad experience is something to be cherished and shared with your family and friends back home.

Our Financial Commitment

CIS Abroad is working with international partners to create refund and withdrawal policies that limit the financial impact on students and families should COVID-19 change a student’s plan to travel. See the refund policy page for more information.

To insure yourself from additional loss, such as the loss of airfare, or any other non-recoverable loss after your program begins, we recommend purchasing trip protection insurance, aka CFAR/IFAR insurance.

Our Academic Commitment

CIS Abroad has carefully selected programs where there is minimal to no academic risk*.

• If a student must quarantine or miss classes due to sickness, remote academics are guaranteed. These may be synchronous or asynchronous, i.e, live or recorded.
• If a city or country goes on lockdown due to sickness, remote academics are guaranteed. These may be synchronous or asynchronous, i.e. live or recorded.

*If a student cannot travel to their destination due to COVID-19 restrictions, remote academics are guaranteed on select programs and in certain courses. If accessing remote academics from the US is important to you, please contact our advising team to learn more about which program locations or courses are right for you.  

Our Health & Safety Commitment

CIS Abroad has developed a site-specific risk management plan for every location so that health and safety protocols are monitored, managed and communicated throughout the semester. We have developed a COVID Care Package included in our program fee for all Summer and Fall 2021 programming to make traveling and living in a host country easier on students, especially those first few weeks on-site:

• COVID compliant airport pick-up and transfer to housing. 
• Access to quarantine housing upon entry, if quarantine is required when entering the country; this housing may incur additional charges* 
• Information and assistance on meal delivery, if quarantine is required when entering the country
• COVID-safe classrooms, campus facilities, and housing as well as access to masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies according to country and location specific standards 
• Access to accommodation if isolation is necessary due to positive COVID test or exposure; this housing may incur additional charges.
• Access to COVID testing; this testing may be an additional charge.
• Medical and accident insurance that covers COVID-related illness (except for on programs operating in the USA).
• La Vida Local cultural activities and reflection that emphasize safe, local exploration geared to the specific context of being abroad at this special time.

*if quarantine is required upon entry, we will let you know 60 days before a program starts, or as soon as the information is known to CIS Abroad. Your program coordinator will keep you updated as to any changes in dates, arrival, local restrictions and costs.  If it is required, this may entail an earlier departure date and an additional housing and meal cost. 

We recognize not every student, family, or university will allow travel this year, despite the risk mitigation outlined above.  Should students apply for 2021 programs, and then choose to defer to a future program, we would be happy to move that student’s application to a program with a later start date.  We are committed to providing our innovative virtual programs to meet your internationalization goals.

Quarantine

CIS Abroad is closely monitoring changing international regulations and will help you plan accordingly. We anticipate that as we get further in 2021 quarantine may not be required due to the use of vaccinations. If quarantine upon arrival is required when entering the country, it may incur an additional charge for housing and meals.

Housing

All 2021 students will have COVID-19 compliant housing.

Excursions

We plan to show you the best of what your location has to offer this term; great culture, great food, and interesting people. On the Excursions tab, you can see the day or overnight trips we usually offer. It is too soon to know if we can offer those same experiences or if we’ll stay a little closer to our program base. Just know that great experiences await you.

Visa

A visa is required for this program. We got you covered; your Program Coordinator has the details!