Cal Poly Global Programs offer Cal Poly courses taught by Cal Poly faculty.
As the only Asian nation to never have been colonized or occupied by Western powers, Thailand offers a unique blend of ancient culture and modern industry, making it the perfect study abroad destination.
Alumni Contacts:
Name: Allison de Peralta
Major: Biochemistry
Email: adeperal@calpoly.edu
Name: Anna Gorman
Major: Food Science
Email: acgormy3@gmail.com
Name: Sydnie Margallo
Major: Environmental Management and Protection
Email: smargall@calpoly.edu
Name: Katie Love
Major: Anthropology
Email: klove321@gmail.com
Check out the video below!
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is located in a mountainous region of northern Thailand, about 700 km (approximately 435 miles) northwest of Bangkok. The city is a major cultural and religious center with over 300 temples, yet Chiang Mai is a dynamic and modern city. It has managed to combine its rich history and traditions with its increasingly modern side.
Host Institution
Chiang Mai University (CMU) has hosted Cal Poly students for over 20 years. His Majesty the King established CMU as the first institution of higher education in Northern Thailand in 1964 and it has since grown to be one of Thailand’s foremost institutions of higher education. Set against the backdrop of Doi Suthep mountain, the campus occupies over 600 acres including sporting fields, fitness parks, postal office and banking services. Cal Poly classes are held in the Faculty of Humanities department, which is nearby the Student Center and the campus cafeteria.
Courses offered on this program use Thailand as a laboratory to explore the history, food, culture, religion and much more of this fascinating country. This 5-week summer program is a 8-unit program which offers two GE courses. All courses taught in English.
You will earn Cal Poly credit on this program.
Courses
- ISLA 310 Culture of Thailand GE C4 (4)
- ANT 345 Human Behavioral Ecology GE D5 (4)*
* D3 credit may be requested via substitution on a case-by-case basis
NOTE: Pre-requisites for these courses will be wavied for the Summer 2016 program!
Meet the Faculty
Stacey Rucas
Faculty Leader: Stacey Rucas is a professor of Anthropology and has led this program previously in 2013 and 2014. Dr. Rucas will be teaching ANT 345 and ISLA 310. Contact her at srucas@calpoly.edu
This program is open to students in all majors.
Eligibility
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Not actively on academic probation
- Good disciplinary standing
- Approval from the Faculty Leader
Minimum Enrollment
20
Maximum Enrollment
25
How to Apply
Complete the Cal Poly Abroad Application
Housing
Students stay at Chiang Mai University's International Center - UNISERV.
Calendar
| Summer 2016 (Tentative) |
| June 16-17 |
Students depart U.S. for Bangkok, Thailand |
| June 18 |
Students arrive in Bangkok |
| June 19-21 |
Bangkok Tour: City tour, Wat Arun, Grand Palace, Wat Po, dinner cruise |
| June 21-22 |
Travel to Chiang Mai, Orientation at Chiang Mai University |
| June 29 |
Orientation at Chiang Mai University |
| June 23-24 |
Cal Poly classes in Chiang Mai |
| June 27-30 |
Cal Poly classes in Chiang Mai |
| July 4-7 |
Cal Poly classes in Chiang Mai |
| July 11-14 |
Cal Poly classes in Chiang Mai |
| July 18-20 |
Cal Poly classes in Chiang Mai |
| July 21 |
Final Exams |
| July 23 |
Program Ends |
Activities
The following excursions and field trips are part of the program, and include lecture material that is part of the Cal Poly courses. Excursions and field trips will be guided by local Thai experts.
Bangkok
To start the program, students will spend three days, two nights exploring the exciting capitol city of Bangkok, Thailand. The Bangkok tour will include visits to famous sites such as the Royal Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn and Wat Pho, the Reclining Buddha Temple. The tour also includes a group dinner with a Thai culture show and a dinner boat cruise on Chao Praya River.
Hill Tribe Visit
From Chiang Mai, students travel as a group to the hills of Northern Thailand to stay with a local hill tribe for three days and two nights. The group will trek through the beautiful mountainside and swim at waterfalls during the day and enjoy traditional tribal performances in the evening. During this excursion, the group will also visit the Royal Project, an initiative by the King to solve problems of opium production by promoting alternative crops in Thailand.
Chiang Rai
The group will travel to the northern most part of Thailand to the famous Golden Triangle where the borders of three countries, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) meet. Students will learn about the history of the opium trade at the Opium Museum and take a boat cruise on the Mekong River.
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum
