Thailand: Chiang Mai - Culture, Politics, Business

My experience in Thailand was incredible, I felt so supported by the program and by those I met along the way. It was by far the best decision I've made in my entire life. I met some of the most amazing people who will now be my lifelong friends, went to some of the most beautiful places on this planet, and learned a new way of life that I would've never been exposed to if hadn't done this journey. It's also extremely easy to travel around Thailand and surrounding countries and you'll meet plenty of similar travelers along the way and make beautiful connections.

When I entered college I knew that I wanted to study abroad at some point. However, I never imagined that I would have found myself going all the way across the world to Thailand. It was the kind of USAC staff that showed me what their program had to offer that convinced me to take the trip. I am thankful to them as my time in Thailand was an incredible experience and generated memories that will stay with me for a lifetime. If you are looking for a truly out-there, incredible experience the USAC Thailand program provides this and more.

The USAC program in Chiang Mai is one of the best run academic programs I've ever been a part of. I've learned so much while still being able to travel, have fun, meet new people and explore the culture. The staff and Thai buddies are all amazing and caring, and they all love getting to know the new USACers! I highly recommend this program! It will change your life for the better!
Some cool things I did while studying abroad:
1. Fed monkeys on a private beach
2. Trekked through the mountains
3. Explored caves that led onto pristine beaches
4. Chilled in hot springs
5. Went to a full moon party

Chiang Mai with USAC is like no other. The beauty of Thailand's nature and culture form such a unique experience. The staff at USAC Thailand is beyond expectations with both event planning and their want for cultural exchange. Everyone is kind and approachable. Both US and Thai students in the program look forward to meeting new people. Classes are enjoyable. The workload allows time for socializing. You can conveniently travel to other places in Thailand. Chiang Mai is friendly to people who enjoy outdoorsy adventures and to those who prefer city life.

Attending USAC's Chiang Mai study abroad program was one of the best decisions I could've made during my undergrad years. There is nothing about my experience that I wish was a little bit different. From the classes to the excursions to the incredible staff at USAC Chiang Mai, every aspect of this program was top-notch. I developed friendships (from the US and Thailand) that I know will last a lifetime, and the memories I made continue to bring me joy and inspire me to embark on more adventures far, far away from home.

Getting to travel to Thailand was a dream come true for me as someone who had always wanted to travel abroad. I had such a wonderful experience with all of the USAC staff who made sure I was taken care of and ready to succeed at every step of the way. The USAC staff also organized so many informative, cultural, and fun activities for us such as traditional rickshaw rides through the historic part of the city, hikes through beautiful cloud forests and to mountain villages. We also had opportunities to volunteer such as with the National Park rangers to make firebreak to protect the forests from fire. Not to mention the countless beautiful temples we were able to visit. The diverse range of foods to be found also meant that we could try a delicious new meal every day, and it was so affordable! I highly recommend participating in a USAC study abroad program for anyone looking for an accessible and well-supported way to visit and experience life in another country. And please go visit Chiang Mai, Thailand if you have the chance!

I studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the Chinese Studies program. I was originally planning on participating in USAC's program in China, but since that program ended up being canceled this year, USAC suggested this program to me instead. This program was the perfect alternative. Not only was I able to continue studying Mandarin, I also learned a lot about Thai culture, which I previously knew little about, and made several lasting friendships. I had an incredible time there and am so thankful for this experience. I would return in a heartbeat.

Some things I think you should know about the USAC Chiang Mai program:
- Thailand is a beautiful country
- Chiang Mai is a very safe city (even for solo women)
- the food here is AMAZING and there is a wide variety so even picky eaters can find something
- English is way more common than you would think
- Its a very affordable place. Food is typically $1-$10 a meal and nice hostels can be as low as $3 a night
- There’s very little homework and lots of free time to explore
- Great dorm location