Description
Mahidol University was founded in 1889 by Majesty King Chulalongkorn, the Great Rama V, and is the oldest and most prestigious educational institution in Thailand. Located in Salaya, a suburb of Bangkok, Mahidol University International College allows students to study in a quiet, peaceful environment. Mahidol University International College (MUIC) offers most of the university’s international undergraduate programs. MUIC provides a high standard of international education and encourages independent and analytical thinking. The classroom encompasses an interactive environment, which encourages discussion and critical exploration of ideas. International students make up about 15% of the MUIC student body, offering an academic experience that is enriching and diverse inside and out of the classroom.
This study abroad program, based in Salaya just outside of Bangkok, is focusing on various disciplines including Business, Economics, Social and Natural Science and more. You can take four to five classes abroad and participate in Mahidol University student organization activities to experience the Thai student university life. All courses are instructed in English with the exception of Thai language.
Quick Facts
Partner Program Type – The Education Abroad Network (TEAN)
TEAN (The Education Abroad Network) by WorldStrides is an international educational organization that UCSC has partnered with to provide you with a life-changing educational adventure. TEAN specializes in immersive study abroad programs throughout Asia and the Pacific that not only meet high academic standards, but are culturally engaging, tailored to individual students’ interests, and provide unforgettable experiences and unbeatable value. With more than 25 years of experience in facilitating outstanding international experiences and dedicated on-the-ground staff, they are experts in the region and will expertly manage your experience abroad from beginning to end.
Minimum GPA – 2.85
Eligibility – Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, Open to All Majors, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Standing by the time of departure
Term Options
Fall Quarter: late August – mid-December
Spring Quarter: mid-April – late July
Cost
Location
City & University
As Thailand’s massive capital, Bangkok serves as a driving force for the rest of the country and the region. The city’s Thai name, Krungthep, translates to the “City of Angels” and even centuries after Siamese kings chose this spot along the Chao Phraya River as the royal capital, it’s clear there’s something uniquely special about this sprawling city. Modern skyscrapers rise into the sky while people grab snacks from street-side stalls, luxury malls and hotels jostle for space with Buddhist shrines and local fresh markets. Bangkok is a thriving mix of cultures, communities, histories, cuisines, and endless contradictions, making it a fascinating place to live and study abroad.
Accommodations
TEAN organizes student housing for all participants. The housing for this program is a Student Residence. The student residence, Bundit Home, is located off-campus, but is only a 10-minute free shuttle bus ride to Mahidol University campus. Free shuttles to campus are offered every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You’ll be staying in a double room with another TEAN or visiting student. Depending on availability, TEAN can also offer the option of securing a single room instead. All rooms are fully furnished and include an air conditioner, desk, wardrobe, fridge, and 32-inch TV. Bundit Home also features a rooftop area, internet, cable TV, dining options, a swimming pool, a gym, laundry services, and free weekly cleaning services. Bedding is provided (comforter, sheet, and pillow are all included), and each room has its own bathroom. Although there is no kitchen available at Bundit and students cannot cook in their rooms, there are multiple restaurants and cafeterias within walking distance.
Excursions
Included excursions for this program are:
- Chiang Mai
- Krabi
If you would like more detailed information about the excursions, please reach out to globallearning@ucsc.edu.
Student Support
The TEAN team will work with you from start to finish through the study abroad process. After you have been nominated by UCSC, TEAN’s expert staff will help guide you through the final phases of the application process and will meet you at the airport upon arrival in Thailand. From there, they will whisk you away for your TEAN Orientation program, and these are no ordinary study abroad orientation programs. You’ll get all the necessary information about your new locale, but you’ll also begin creating lifetime memories and developing new friendships with other students going abroad on the same program as you!
During the Orientation, our team will help you get your phones set up if you’re using a local SIM card, and make sure we have a reliable method of contacting you after the orientation program whether it be via a local phone number, WhatsApp, etc.
After the orientation, we will get you settled into your housing, and ensure that you have all you need to be successful for the semester to come. Throughout your program in Bangkok, there will be regular check-ins and fun cultural events, but you do not need to wait to speak with your TEAN contacts. TEAN staff is readily available and able to assist you with any academic, social, or cultural questions or issues that you may face during your time abroad, and if there is an emergency situation, TEAN’s resident staff are available 24/7 and will react quickly.
Country Information Resources
- U.S. Department of State Country Information Page
- CDC Travelers’ Health
- OSAC Country Security Report
Students with Disabilities
If you need support services abroad, notify your UCSC Disability Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator.
Students can work with their TEAN program manager or directly contact accessibilityteam@worldstrides.org once they have narrowed down where they’d like to go.
Identities Abroad and Away
UC Santa Cruz Global Learning is committed to inclusion and equity in our various program options as well as striving to make everyone’s experiences abroad enriching, positive, and safe.
Learn more on our Identities Abroad and Away webpage.
Academics
Host University Courses
As Mahidol University exchange student, enroll full-time in courses alongside other local and international students.
- Students will enroll in 4 courses
- The MUIC course coding structure is made up of a sequence of seven characters. Each code starts with four letters, representing the faculty/institute and program that offers the course. The remainder of the code is made up of three numbers. The first number in the sequence indicates the year in which the course is delivered: 0 if the level is lower than a diploma degree, 1 for the first year, 2 for the second year, 3 for the third year and 4 for the fourth year.
- TEAN recommends that courses starting with the numbers 0, 1 or 2 be classified as lower division, while courses starting with the numbers 3, or 4 be classified as upper division.
Course Search
- You can find the course schedule for previous trimesters here.
- Note: this will automatically open to the current trimester. Please be sure to search for your respective Trimester:
- US Fall – Click the T1/21 Box
- US Winter – Click the T2/22 Box
- US Spring – Click the T3/22 Box
- If you have any questions or need to request syllabi please contact us at globallearning@ucsc.edu.
Satisfying Requirements
It may be possible to satisfy major, minor, GE, and/or electives on this program.
Learn more about:
- How to request major or minor credit
- How to request GE credit
Course Load Requirements
You are required to enroll in a full-time course load while abroad as defined by your host institution:
- 4 courses (18 quarter credits) is a typical course load
As a UCSC student, you must also continue to meet UCSC Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires students to enroll in a minimum of 12 UCSC quarter credits per quarter. At Mahidol, you are required to ensure you meet this requirement by enrolling in the equivalent of at least 12 UCSC quarter credits in fall quarter and at least 12 UCSC quarter credits in spring quarter after conversion (see below).
If you are not enrolled in the minimum number of quarter credits required, then you will fall out of Satisfactory Academic Progress. This could lead to financial aid and academic repercussions.
If you are unable to enroll in the minimum number of quarter credits through courses at your host university, you may be able to fill in the gap by enrolling in one remote course through UCSC or UC online.
Credit Conversion
Mahidol uses local credits. These will be converted to UCSC quarter credits when added to your UC transcript.
- 3 local credits = 4 UCSC quarter credits
- 4 local credits = 6 UCSC quarter credits
Academic Restrictions
Note that some courses may require prerequisites. In rare cases, some courses abroad may have enrollment limitations and/or restrictions, and there may also be courses that are not available for study abroad students. Your TEAN program advisor will be able to help you determine whether any such restrictions apply.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to enroll, please contact UCSC Global Learning at globallearning@ucsc.edu before applying to this program.
Academic Differences
Please note that the academic system, such as assignments, exams, course structure, grading system, etc., at your host institution may be different from what you are used to at UCSC. We highly recommend researching the academic system at your host university in advance to best prepare for your experience abroad.
Academic Calendar
We recommend comparing the host university academic calendar to the UCSC academic calendar to see how the academic calendars, holidays, and breaks differ.