Study In Thailand

[apex2000]

I cannot find a more suitable place to ask this question, so here goes:

I know a Korean student, she is here in Thailand now, she is 19 years old, and has graduated from high school in Korea just recently. Her future, in her mind, is that she wants to be an interpreter. I think that there is every possibility that this will come true as her English is already very good, and she will be able to improve quite easily.

It is very difficult for Korean students to enter a university of their choice in Korea as the entrance examination is really difficult. So, her family want her to study in an international program in Thailand. She knows many Koreans in Thailand (most of whom are missionaries or have some connection with the church). I am helping her to prepare for IELTS and she is doing very well.

Finally, she wants to return to Korea to study for her Master's Degree (in Linguistics). She already has a university in mind.

Her original plan was to study at ABAC, but it would seem that that might not be the best choice. One reason for that is that they do not offer a course that is suitable for her continued education when she returns to Korea. Secondly, I have heard many not-so-good reports about ABAC university (which should probably not be mentioned here).

So, my questions to you knowledgeable people are these:

1. In order to study to be an interpreter, which Bachelor's Degree course should she take?

2. Which universities in Thailand would you recommend as a suitable place to study the course chosen in [1] above? It must be an International Program as she cannot speak Thai.

I hope that someone out there can be of help as this young lady is very special and deserves to succeed.

Thanks in advance.

Edited March 2, 2008 by apex2000

[GuestHouse]

Tell her to study something other than linguistics but to add a language or two on top of her main studies - Law, Finance, Business administration or some course that is eventually going to put her near the management of the money in any organization she works for.

In my last posting at Rome my wife was working for the World Food Program and had couple of friends who were linguists, during a discussion with two of these linguists they confirmed something I have heard a number of times from other linguists I have known - it is the lowest paid of the 'professions' in the UN and the very hardest to find a posting. This confirms my own experience of the value placed on my own and the language skills of other bi-lingual/multilingual people in the multinational organization I work for and those we work with.

The organizations that pay well and offer the best careers are also very often those that attract people from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and languages - The UN and multinationals are examples of the kind of organizations that employ linguists - and if they undervalue the skills of linguists prospects else where are likely to be bleak.

However, professionals with linguistic skills are clearly valued and it is here that linguistic skills become of real value.

To put this in perspective, the multinational organization I work for records skills and qualifications of staff as part of the 'selling the company' information we provide to clients - The annual summary of skills within the company reports over 200 mother tongue languages in our head office alone. Because we post people around the globe, the presence of second language skills is even higher.

So I'd choose something a less competitive, that has a far better pay and rewards scale and to which language skills would add an advantage and importantly a wider choice through the young ladies career.

I hope that someone out there can be of help as this young lady is very special and deserves to succeed.

Given your eagerness to help, I'm sure she is.

Encourage her to look wider, perhaps Europe where language skills are far more valued, where business is good and where she'll have a great life experience during her studies.

[MrSnrang]

ABAC: Easy to get in but hard to graduate.

Chula: Pretty much for the Triam Udom kids to continue learning English.

Thammasat SIIT: Engineering school but is pretty much a Thai school.

BUIC: Cheap and easy degree, students not generally known as excellent.

Ramkamheng IIS: Heard some pretty good things about them, but they only hold classes on Tuesday and Thursday.

MUIC: Nice campus, good students many from international schools but is in the middle of nowhere and tuition is quite expensive.

[apex2000]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. Much as I expected.

Does anyone know anything about Payap University in Chiang Mai? That is, is it reputable, etc.

Edited March 2, 2008 by apex2000

[GuestHouse]

Does anyone know anything about Payap University in Chiang Mai? That is, is it reputable, etc.

Living in Chiang Mai yourself per chance?

[madjbs]

http://interaffairs.tu.ac.th/interprogram.htm

Here is a list of all the international programs at Thammasat University. All of them are up to a very high standard and the academics speak English well and all hold PhD and Master degrees form well know foreign Unis.

[richard10365]

I go to Payap. http://ic.payap.ac.th/

There is a linguist program at Payap. http://ic.payap.ac.th/graduate/linguistics/about.php.

There are about 5 Koreans studying in the international program. Her English would have to be quite good as the instructors only teach in English. It's a good school and getting better all the time. This is the 5th year of the International College and the first year of having an active international student union. We plan activities for the students as well as address any issues students might have concerning their education.

Cost can be found on this page of their website. http://ic.payap.ac.th/prospective-students/costs.php

Dorm info can be found here http://ic.payap.ac.th/prospective-students/dorm.php

Chiang Mai is a very nice city to study in. I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful part of Thailand to live in. If you have any other questions about CM or Payap send me a message.

[sibeymai]

Bangkok University at Rama IV has a good Engigh language program, but not sure about language programs other than it's a popular place for wealthy Thais to send their children to study in English and for foreigners.

[mbkudu]

Ramkamheng IIS: Heard some pretty good things about them, but they only hold classes on Tuesday and Thursday.

Seven days a week. Most bachelor's degree classes are Monday through Friday, master's and PhD are on Saturday and Sunday.

[PeaceBlondie]

If I may add a second vote for Chiang Mai, there is a large Korean community here, and several Korean language churches. Lots of under-19 international students from Korea, too.

Payap is an excellent choice, in this case, apparently.

[madjbs]

Bangkok University at Rama IV has a good Engigh language program, but not sure about language programs other than it's a popular place for wealthy Thais to send their children to study in English and for foreigners.

Bangkok Uni does not have a good reputation, it is easy to get in and easy to stay in. If you are looking for good quality education you need to look at the main government institutions, they are miles ahead of ABAC and Bangkok Uni, people that can't get in to the top ones are the people that end up at these private unis.

[apex2000]

Does anyone know anything about Payap University in Chiang Mai? That is, is it reputable, etc.

Living in Chiang Mai yourself per chance?

No, if you look at my details in the left-hand column, you will see that I live in Ubon Ratchathani, where I have been ever since I came to Thailand in 1991.

What made you think that I live in Chiang Mai?

The reason that I looked at Payap University in Chiang Mai is that it is affordable for the student, and there is a suitable course for her there (BA English Communication).

Every other place that I have looked at has been too expensive. Most places are up to 400,000 baht per year + living expenses etc. For that price, she could study in New Zealand and get a degree with more worth when compared to a degree from Thailand.

Edited March 3, 2008 by apex2000

[apex2000]

I go to Payap. http://ic.payap.ac.th/

There is a linguist program at Payap. http://ic.payap.ac.th/graduate/linguistics/about.php.

There are about 5 Koreans studying in the international program. Her English would have to be quite good as the instructors only teach in English. It's a good school and getting better all the time. This is the 5th year of the International College and the first year of having an active international student union. We plan activities for the students as well as address any issues students might have concerning their education.

Cost can be found on this page of their website. http://ic.payap.ac.th/prospective-students/costs.php

Dorm info can be found here http://ic.payap.ac.th/prospective-students/dorm.php

Chiang Mai is a very nice city to study in. I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful part of Thailand to live in. If you have any other questions about CM or Payap send me a message.

Thank you very much richard10365. Unfortunately, she is an undergraduate and the linguistics course is a graduate course. However, it will encourage her knowing that there are Korean students studying there.

Edited March 3, 2008 by apex2000

[richard10365]

I go to Payap. http://ic.payap.ac.th/

There is a linguist program at Payap. http://ic.payap.ac.th/graduate/linguistics/about.php.

There are about 5 Koreans studying in the international program. Her English would have to be quite good as the instructors only teach in English. It's a good school and getting better all the time. This is the 5th year of the International College and the first year of having an active international student union. We plan activities for the students as well as address any issues students might have concerning their education.

Cost can be found on this page of their website. http://ic.payap.ac.th/prospective-students/costs.php

Dorm info can be found here http://ic.payap.ac.th/prospective-students/dorm.php

Chiang Mai is a very nice city to study in. I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful part of Thailand to live in. If you have any other questions about CM or Payap send me a message.

Thank you very much richard10365. Unfortunately, she is an undergraduate and the linguistics course is a graduate course. However, it will encourage her knowing that there are Korean students studying there.

There are prerequisites to the linguists program. Having a degree in any of the following will qualify her to enroll in the graduate program.

* Linguistics

* English, Thai, or any other language

* An area related to Linguistics (i.e., Philosophy, Computer Science, Anthropology, Sociology, or Psychology).

* The Admissions Committee may choose to consider, at its discretion, applicants holding undergraduate degrees in other fields.

Tuition cost at Payap for the English Communication (EC) program is approximately 113,000 baht/year or 397,800 baht for 4 years.

The international dormitory, http://ihouse.payap.ac.th/, is quite nice. The Paradornparp International House provides comfortable rooms and a basic meal plan to residents. Additional services include laundry facilities, fitness room, first aid station, convenience store, lounge, public phone, wireless internet access and meeting rooms.

The Paradornparp International House living cost of 18,200 baht / semester will be included on your student bill each semester. This fee covers room for one semester and a basic meal plan, which includes breakfast and dinner on weekdays (Monday through Friday).

The fee for the summer term is 7,800 baht, not including utilities.

Residents who do not stay on a semester or summer term basis will be billed in a monthly rate of 3,900 baht, not including utilities. The fee will be prorated for periods of stay that extend beyond a month. (3900 baht/30 days=130 baht/day)

Click here to see photos. http://ihouse.payap.ac.th/rooms_and_meals.html

As international colleges go in Thailand, I think Payap would be hard to beat. In fact, I would argue to say it is better than all the other schools in Thailand with international programs. It is a true international college with most of it's students coming from other countries and no teachers teaching partly in Thai language and partly in English as many international colleges and universities in Thailand often do. For a Thai student to keep up in class their English has to be excellent. Thai students, as well as students who come from countries where English is not the language used in their home, do struggle a lot at Payap if their English abilities are not strong.

Thai students graduating from Payap International College receive an education comparable to one they would receive in an English speaking country with the only difference of not living in an English speaking country. Thus, they don't have to speak English at the end of the school day like the would if they were in an English speaking country. They go home to their Thai communities, families and friends.

So parent's that would like to send their children to and English speaking country for their higher education but can't afford it can send their kids to Payap at a fraction of the cost of sending them abroad.

However, keep in mind, this is not your typical Thai university. They won't pass for just showing up. If they don't study, do their homework and show up for class then they will fail. Yes, attendance is mandatory. If you don't show up for 80% or more of your classes then you won't be allowed to take the final.

A final note, Payap is a private Christian university. There is a Christian theme to Payap. Students are not forced to believe in Christianity but at times, some teachers and administrators do pray and refer to God in some form or another.

However, if your not Christian and believe differently, Payap does have a building set aside to practice your religion. Payap doesn't discourage practicing in other places but the building has rooms inside set aside for students wishing to pray or meditate in private. They even have prayer rugs for Muslim students and staff.

Before you make your decision, I suggest you visit Payap and get a tour of it's facilities. I think you will be impressed. It's not perfect but I think it's head and shoulders above the rest!

Edited March 3, 2008 by richard10365