USAC in Chiang Mai

Key Benefits:

When you study at USAC's Chiang Mai Center on Chiang Mai University's campus, you'll take elective courses in English and additional Thai language course, in a program designed for American students. Study center programs typically provide less exposure to local students and follow a more American-style curriculum than local universities. This program is ideal if you are not fully comfortable with complete immersion, prefer to take courses in English, or prefer more personalized support while abroad. USAC supports you with pre-departure advising & support, visa-related guidance, group airport reception, host university student ID, on-site orientation, onsite staff support, 24/7 emergency assistance, comprehensive global medical insurance, centrally located housing, cultural activities, excursions, volunteer opportunities, and optional internship.

Level of Immersion
Language(s) of Instruction:
English
Features
Courses with Study Abroad Students
Internship Opportunities
No Language Pre-Requisites
Study Center Program
Volunteering Opportunities

Housing Abroad

Dorm

Housing at Seattle University

Moving can be both costly and stressful, but careful planning can help minimize both. Start by creating a housing plan for before and after your study abroad experience to avoid the pressure of continuing to pay for rent at home. Program fees typically cover housing abroad, so if you expect to incur additional domestic rent expenses, be sure to include these in your budget. If possible, consider staying with family or friends temporarily before you depart or when you return to save on costs.

Housing Residence Life

Education Abroad typically recommends considering Seattle University on-campus housing for when students return from their programs, as Housing Residence Life staff are able to support students in securing housing, while adhering to student preferenceas best as they can.

Housing Application

Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates

Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May

Disciplines

Courseload

Students who participate in an SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, or Non-SU program must be fully enrolled at their host university/program provider. Full-time enrollment on a semester-length program is typically 15 US semester credits (not quarter credits) or 30 ECTS credits.

Note: Not all programs/host universities provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. Some may have samples of past syllabi but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered during the students' time abroad.

Credit Range: 12-18
Credit System: U.S. Semester Credits
Typical Course load: 4-6
Credit Per Course: 3

Credit Conversion
Transcript Issued By: University of Idaho or University of Nevada
Credit Conversion Rate: 1 U.S. Semester Credit = 1.5 SU Quarter Credits
Quarter Range: 18-27

EAO Historic Course Search

Academic Policy

Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:

Student will receive transfer credit for their study abroad program and academic grades will not be reflected on their Seattle University transcript and will not be reflected in the Seattle University GPA nor honors calculations.
For all undergraduate programs, courses accepted in transfer are graded at least a C- when letter grades are issued and at least a 1.5 on the decimal grading system. Courses graded D+ or lower (1.5) will not be allowed either for transfer credit or to fulfill degree requirements.
Students in the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, and communication and psychology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences will be required to repeat courses graded lower than C (2.0) if the course is a major requirement or if it is a prerequisite to a major requirement.
Students in the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete required business courses (including mathematics, economics & accounting) with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Transfer of Credit & Placeholder Course

Transfer Credits

Letter grades received on this program will not transfer to SU nor factor into Seattle University GPA. If students receive the minimum grade required, credits will transfer toward their Seattle University degree as approved through the required pre-departure Course Approval process. Minimum grade details will be specified during Course Approval for each course taken abroad.

Placeholder Course

The Education Abroad Office will enroll students in a 12-credit placeholder course per term that you are abroad so that students maintain full-time student status and are billed properly. This placeholder course will be replaced by the courses taken abroad upon successful completion and receipt of official transcript.

Program Fees

Program fees are subject to change and based on previous year's tuition, if future tuition rates are not available yet. The purpose of the budget worksheets is to provide an estimate of how much studying abroad is going to cost. Actual spending may vary.

Fall Semester: $0
Spring Semester: $0

Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate

Student Financial Aid allows students to request a financial aid estimate when planning an education abroad experience. Students can bring the completed worksheet of your preferred program to a meeting with a Student Financial Aid Counselor.

Budget Worksheets

Academic Year Fall Semester Spring Semester

Participation Costs

For SU-Sponsored programs, you will be billed for Seattle University (1) Tuition, (2) Technology Fee, and (3) Program Fee per term abroad. These and estimated additional expenses are outlined in the program's detailed Budget Worksheet. Students are encouraged to complete the Budget Worksheet and discuss applicable financial aid with Student Financial Services.

Payment

For SU-Sponsored programs, pay your Seattle University bill through your MySeattleU Student Account for the term(s) you are abroad. The Program Fee is labeled as "MSA Fee" on your bill. Payment deadlines align with Seattle University’s quarterly deadlines and you can sign-up for a payment plan as usual.

Seattle University handles payments to USAC on your behalf for the program cost. Additional expenses not included in Seattle University’s Program Fee, like special course fees, housing upgrades, and optional excursions, may be billed to you directly by USAC. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses.

Insurance

Comprehensive global medical insurance is provided by the program provider.

Scholarships

There are many study abroad scholarships for all program types. The application process may be easier than you think, but planning ahead is key. Deadlines are often 6-8 months in advance of departure. Check out the Scholarship section of Seattle University Education Abroad website for more information on scholarships and how to apply.

Scholarship Opportunities Cost Comparison Calculator

Student Journey

Approximate Timeline	Phase	More details
Sept-Jan	Exploration	Students will work with Education Abroad and various supporters (family, academic advisor, etc.) to find a program that best fits student's academic, personal, and professional goals.
Feb 1	Apply	Students will have the opportunity to apply to SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs during next academic year in the Fall around November. The hard deadline is February 1st.
Late Feb/Early Mar	Nominations	Education Abroad Office will nominate selected students for SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs.
Mar-May (Fall) Sept-Dec (Winter) Jan-March (Spring)	Preparation	Students will complete secondary applications for program providers/host university in preparation of going abroad. Additional preparatory steps include pre-departure orientation, courses approvals, Health Check, Visa application, planning housing arrangements (abroad & Seattle), immunizations, etc.

Application Steps

Complete Module I of Global Engagement with Education Abroad Canvas course, including Education Abroad 101 and attending a Planning Meeting with your Education Advisor.
Complete the SU-Sponsored/SU-Exchange Program Application in Module II of the Canvas course by February 1 for selected program.

If you haven’t joined the Education Abroad Canvas Course yet, Join Now!

Climate

Spring (March to May): Hot and dry, with temperatures between 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F). This is Thailand’s hottest season, especially in inland areas like Bangkok.
Summer (June to October): Rainy season, with temperatures from 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F). Rainfall is heavy, particularly in September, with occasional flooding in certain areas.
Autumn (November to December): Cool and dry, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). This is an ideal season for travel.
Winter (January to February): Mild and dry, with temperatures between 18°C and 30°C (64°F to 86°F), particularly cool in northern areas like Chiang Mai.

Travel Resources

Air: Major international airports include Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok), Don Mueang Airport (Bangkok), Phuket International Airport, and Chiang Mai International Airport.
Train: The State Railway of Thailand offers extensive train routes connecting Bangkok with other major cities and tourist destinations, including scenic overnight trains.
Public Transport: Cities like Bangkok have well-developed public transit options, including the BTS Skytrain, MRT, buses, and tuk-tuks. Ridesharing apps are also widely available.

Cultural Resources

Sites: Popular attractions include Grand Palace in Bangkok, Chiang Mai Temples, Ayutthaya Historical Park, and Phuket’s Beaches.
Language: The official language is Thai, though English is widely spoken in urban and tourist areas.
Festivals: Key festivals include Songkran (Thai New Year) in April, celebrated with water festivities; Loy Krathong in November, where lanterns and floating offerings light up rivers; and the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai.

Food & Diet

Cuisine: Traditional Thai dishes include pad thai (stir-fried noodles), som tam (papaya salad), green curry, tom yum (spicy and sour soup), and mango sticky rice.
Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and vegan options are widely available, especially in urban areas and tourist spots. Many traditional dishes can be adapted to suit dietary preferences.

Embassy/Consulate

U.S. Embassy in Bangkok: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok (Phone: +66 2 205 4000)
U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai: 387 Witchayanond Road, Chiang Mai (Phone: +66 53 107 700)

Identity-Specific Considerations

Accessibility: Accessibility is improving in urban centers like Bangkok, with some modern buildings and public transit options equipped for individuals with disabilities, though it may be limited in rural areas.
LGBTQ+: Thailand is LGBTQ+ friendly, particularly in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. While there are no anti-discrimination laws, Thailand is known for its accepting attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Religion: Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, with Theravada Buddhism playing a central role in its culture, alongside Muslim, Christian, Hindu, and indigenous spiritual communities contributing to its diversity.
Race & Ethnicity: Thailand is ethnically diverse, with the majority being ethnic Thais and significant minority groups, such as Chinese, Malay, and hill tribes, though some minority groups face social and economic challenges.
Gender: Gender equality is improving in Thailand, with strong female participation in business and politics, but traditional gender roles and gender-based violence remain significant issues, particularly in rural areas.

Visa Requirements

What is a Visa?
A visa is a permission granted by a country that allows foreign nationals to enter and reside there temporarily. Applicants typically need to provide documentation such as an acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Student visas come with specific regulations regarding work rights, travel restrictions, and duration of stay, varying by country.

Below is a brief overview of the current visa requirements for your program. Note that countries may amend visa requirements at any time, so it will be important to follow all instructions given by USAC.

U.S. passport holders are required to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa (ED) before studying in Thailand. (Non-U.S. citizens should consult their respective consulates). Key steps include completing the Thai e-Visa application, uploading essential documents, and selecting the appropriate consulate. Visa renewal every 90 days is essential. USAC will offer additional information and guidance before departure and on-site; however, the decision to grant admission into the country is not in USAC’s nor Seattle University's control. Keep in mind that entry requirements are specific to the length of your stay, citizenship, and the type of activities you will be engaged in. It is your responsibility to determine specific entry requirements and stipulations prior to the start of your program.

USAC in Chiang Mai

About this Program

Program Highlights

Level of Immersion

Features

Housing Abroad

Housing at Seattle University

Housing Residence Life

Housing Application

Disciplines

Courseload

Credit Conversion

Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:

Transfer Credits

Placeholder Course

Program Fees

Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate

Budget Worksheets

Participation Costs

Payment

Insurance

Scholarships

Student Journey

Application Steps

Climate

Travel Resources

Cultural Resources

Food & Diet

Embassy/Consulate

Identity-Specific Considerations

Visa Requirements

What is a Visa?

The experience at a glance

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