Any Advice For Sending Thai Stepdaughter To University In Thailand?

[farang1230]

I know the answer is obvious, my Thai stepdaugther "should" go to university in America vs. Thailand. However, let me give you some background before you rush to judgement. My stepdaughter was born in Thailand and came to the US 3.5 years ago. She entered as a freshmen to the local public high school, and has received a fair education. She'll be a senior this year, meaning it's the last year of high school before university. While she has given a tremendous effort, her english skills are not up to par for higher education here in the US, mainly because of her reading comprehension and writing skills. I know that she could enter a community college or ESL program, but truth be known I'm not sure her heart is into staying the US. So, my questions are thus: What are the best and most cost effective universities in Thailand (general studies)? Will a Thai university education do well for my stepdaughter should she decide to stay in Thailand?Thank you!

[Mario2008]

For Thailand, it should do well. A degree from the US will of course be better, but there are a very few good Thai univesities, like Chualongkorn and Thammasaat. Of course it also depends on what she wants to study.

[samran]

For Thailand, it should do well. A degree from the US will of course be better, but there are a very few good Thai univesities, like Chualongkorn and Thammasaat. Of course it also depends on what she wants to study.

Having said that, these universities are incredibly competitive to get in, at which point your options start to become more limited in terms of what will be viewed (in Thailand at least) as a 'good' education.

It always takes a couple of years to adjust to wherever you go. Maybe community college in the US will be a good experience for her...a broader group of people to get to know, a real chance to find friends and roots that high school doesn't typically offer.

[IMA_FARANG]

Not to be unkind, but it would be wise to let her make the decision. You give her as much advice as you can, and try to get her to listen, but since SHE has to be happy with the decision it should be up to her.

Parents always want to get the best future life for their children. That's great, but what happens later in life is not determined by them but by their child.

You can't live life for your children, they have to live their life themselves.

The question you need to consider is: Would your step-daughter be happier in a Thai school or going to a University in the U.S.? Ask her just like that.

Would you rather have her be unhappy and drop out of a U.S. school, or graduate from a Thai school?

Also, be aware that entrance to a U.S. university does NOT gaurentee that a student will graduate from that university. Almost all schools will cut a percentage of their freshman students after or during the first term...those who obviously can't make the grade will be politely asked to "consider other options" which is the polite code for "drop out of school".

So let her decide.

I know not everyone at age 18, and graduating from high school, is ready for going to college. I was one. I had a lot of growing up to do first. So I waited until I was 20, and that made a huge difference in my use of that eventual college education (for the better).

Edited July 29, 2011 by IMA_FARANG

[farang1230]

Samran and Mario, thank you - I will check out those two universities and their entrance requirements.

IMA Farang, I agree that it's totally up to her. She's also looking at vocational options, like becoming an "air hostess" as she calls it. Whatever she decides, I will support her decision.

[islandguy]

Here is a thought, how about a year in prep school? Might not be so easy to find the right one, and it might not be what she has in mind, but here are some advantages to this idea:

A chance to polish her English skills and get to a fluent level that will work in a good job in the English language

If the school is in Thailand or better, has Thai students in America, a chance to meet future friends (that are either great students or rich) that will form the kind of personal network that pays big dividends for her future (traditionally one of the big drawing cards of a prep school).

Helps her chances of getting into a top Thai university

A way to do something constructive (and out of her parents house) while continuing to try to decide what she really wants to do

And no, I never had the slightest interest to go to prep school myself.

[islandguy]

Here is a thought, how about a year in prep school? Might not be so easy to find the right one, and it might not be what she has in mind, but here are some advantages to this idea:

A chance to polish her English skills and get to a fluent level that will work in a good job in the English language

If the school is in Thailand or better, has Thai students in America, a chance to meet future friends (that are either great students or rich) that will form the kind of personal network that pays big dividends for her future (traditionally one of the big drawing cards of a prep school).

Helps her chances of getting into a top Thai university

A way to do something constructive (and out of her parents house) while continuing to try to decide what she really wants to do

And no, I never had the slightest interest to go to prep school myself.