Study in Thailand!
Institution
The USAC program is located at Khon Kaen University (KKU), the first institituion of higher education in northeastern Thailand. KKU is not only the top-ranking university in Thailand but also the leading educational center in the Mekong subregion. The main campus, where the USAC office and classrooms are housed, is located approximately 1.5 miles from the city center on a large, safe and lush green site. Acclaimed as a research university, KKU has world-class research projects in healthcare and tropical medicine, and plays a vital role in the physical, intellectual and mental health of communities.
Location
Khon Kaen is located in the heart of Thailand's northeast region, well known for the high quality Mud Mee silk and its hospitality. Khon Kaen is a large and truly local city, not yet discovered by tourists. Due to this the cost of living is low. Khon Kaen is the commercial and political center of Northeastern Thailand, featuring a number of upscale restaurants and hotels, and the largest center of education, healthcare, and technology. It is only an hour flight from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Late August to Mid December
- Spring Semester: Early January to Early May
- Summer Semester: Late May to Early July and Early July to Mid August
For more information about the Academic Calendar please visit the
USAC Thailand webpage.
Housing
Students will stay in the KKU on-campus dormitory or in off-campus apartments with other USAC students.
Financial
Program Costs
Paid to Appalachian State
| |
Semester |
Summer |
| 1USAC Tuition |
See USAC |
See USAC |
| 2USAC Housing |
See Below |
Included in Program Cost |
| 3OIED Program Development Fee |
$200 |
$200 |
| Intl Health Dev Fee |
$60 |
$60 |
1Tuition and fees are charged at the USAC rate.
2Housing is charged at the USAC rate.
3The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
Summer |
| USAC Application Fee |
$100 |
$100 |
| 1USAC Confirmation Deposit |
$500 |
$500 |
| USAC Housing |
$300 - $1000 |
Included in Program Cost |
| Refundable Housing Deposit |
$250 |
$250 |
| Airfare |
$1200 - $1800 |
$1200 - $1800 |
| Meals |
$800 - $1500 |
$250 |
| School Uniform |
$60 |
$60 |
| 2Personal Expenses |
$1200 - $2000 |
$250 - $500 |
| Books and Materials |
$50 - $100 |
$30 |
| Local Transportation |
$60 - $300 |
$60 |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
$200 |
$200 |
| Passport |
$150 |
$150 |
| 3US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
Varies |
| 4Personal Travel and Spending |
$500 - $1000 |
$250 - $400 |
1Students are responsible for submitting a $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit to USAC after acceptance.
2Personal living expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, clothing, utilities, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
3Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
4Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
USAC Scholarships
USAC offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $1000.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
Semester
Students will enroll in 12-18 credits per semester comprised of electives in health, human development, and Thai culture. Thai language is not required but strongly encouraged to help you better assimilate into your new life and culture. Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.
Summer
Three to six credits in Session I and in Session II. At least one 3-credit course is required each summer session. Course offerings normally focus on Southeast Asian Studies, Health, and Wellness and span disciplines such as Philosophy, Religion, Health, History, Anthropology, Geography, and Psychology.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students participating on the USAC Khon Kaen program will be required to enroll in 12-18 credits during the semester and 3 credits per summer session.. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to a USAC program should complete the
USAC application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me webpage.
