University Life.

[np99sky]

I recently graduated from high school, and was just accepted to the undergraduate business program at Chulalongkorn University. I'm definitely attending as my parents are moving back to Thailand.

At the same time, I have no language skills. And I'm only 1/4 Thai -I don't look anything like it. Complete foreigner.

Is it difficult to mix with local students? Classes in my major will all be taught in English, but I don't expect people to speak it anytime outside. How open is Thailand, particularly in universities/among students to foreigners? Is it really possible to mix at all? I've heard a lot of conflicting opinions.

Thanks much. I'll be spending at least four years there, just want to make sure it's a good time.

[TheJoker12]

As you would expect, students do not converse in English outside of class unless that is the language that they are most comfortable with.

Students are friendly enough towards foreigners, but again, not speaking the language is going to leave you just nodding along if you are in a "Thai as first language group". The vast majority of foreigners I know, end up in groups of native English speakers, those who might also speak Thai but prefer Western company.

Bangkok is a huge city. Its not like you have to limit your social group to those who you attend class with.

You will of course hear differing opinions on the internet. Many of our members have slept with the entire female campus, at least their Thai Visa user name virtually has

[simon43]

When I attended Chula, I found Thai students from other classes very friendly, very polite and happy to talk in English to me.

However, I suspect that was because they thought I was a lecturer, not a student ....

Simon

[GuestHouse]

I believe, perhaps Simon can correct me, that Chula offers Thai for Non Thai Speakers in a pre-entry study program, if I am correct and they do, then I'd recommend you take the course.

I studied Thai, first with the AUA (an alternative if Chula do not have a course) and then Thai Language at Burapha University. I was in my mid thirties when I started the course, so I think like Simon a lot of students (not on my course) thought I was a lecturer. That said I found my fellow students, in and out of my course, friendly and welcoming.

Though don't expect the social life you might expect at a western university, it really is a different experience.

[givenall]

I am a teacher in a University over here teaching management. I highly recommend you attend State University (if you can) since you will get much better education than any university in Thailand

[TheJoker12]

It seems like every time someone enters one of these threads and says "I am a professor" the next line is advising you not to study here. Rofl.

[GuestHouse]

It seems like every time someone enters one of these threads and says "I am a professor" the next line is advising you not to study here. Rofl.

I think the point is, there's a world of difference between the Public Universities and the Private Universities.

[upinthesky]

Some students are friendly but will be left alone if not part of the Thai.

[scorecard]

I am a western lecturer in one of the top Thai business schools.

Don't believe the things people say about low quality in Thailand's top universities. It's just not true. I have written several long and detailed posts about this before, can I suggest you do a search of my old posts which will probably give you some useful perspectives.

We have quite a number of exchange students in our English language programs from numerous countries so there should be plenty of non Thais to talk to and for group assignment work.

Another possibility is to perhaps attend part or perhaps most of the total semesters in Thailand and one or more semesters as an exchange student in a country where English is the first language.

All the Thai students in our English language programs speak and write very advanced to full native speaker English. Many attended all of high school, or more, in Australia, UK, US, Canada, Singapore, etc. I have about 4 or 5 Thais in my classes who speak full Thai but their English is in fact stronger and they prefer to speak English.

Plus I have a few Thai students who prefer to join assignment groups where most of the team members are non-Thai, because they believe they will gain different perspectives on how to analyze the case study, etc.

But none of the above should cancel the suggestions already offered to also get yourself into some Thai language classes, both written and spoken.

Good luck with your studies.

[heykki]

I wouldn't worry. If the teaching is in English, people will be happy to speak English both in and outside the classroom. I barely speak any Thai, but never had any problems mixing with the Thais. They have been happy to speak English with me. For some people it is easier than for the others. I'm talking of course about Assumption University.

[TheJoker12]

check out ratchada road too. they have some great libraries there. good place to learn about the other things besides wonderful education thailand offers.

[np99sky]

Much appreciated.

It's a huge help. The intensive program sounds good, if I can't make that I'll buy Rosetta Stone or something after my next paycheck.

As for choosing universities, while I'd be more than happy at Berkeley, I don't have much of a choice. Parents are paying half the tuition.

But it sounds like it's easy to at least meet people, I'm looking forward to Thailand.

[TheJoker12]

if you are a student, i am sure you know you can find rosetta stone some places online for free, if it does not bother you from an ethical standpoint. i mean, you are a student.