Thailand: Culture and Communication

Overview 

Start the new year exploring exotic Thailand! This ten-day study-abroad program will include visits to both the rural mountains of Chiang Mai in the north and the bustling major city life of Bangkok. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the culture and people of Thailand by spending a day taking care of elephants at a sanctuary, taking cooking lessons, visiting many beautiful Buddhist temples, exploring Thai traditional dance at Moradokmai Theatre, shopping at an open market, and enjoying a sunset river cruise in Ayutthaya, the capital of Thailand, then known as the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. In addition, students will have an opportunity to do community service by spending an afternoon teaching English to Thai students and do group painting graffiti.

Highlights and Excursions

• Volunteer at an Elephant sanctuary! Engage with locals and the elephants at the sanctuary while learning about elephant conservation
• Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and see the seven headed serpent statues that line the stairs to the temple.
• Visit the historic city of Ayutthaya and tour the monasteries, then finish the evening with a boat ride.
• Community service at Moradokmai Theatre Community & Homeschool

Good to Know

• Physical Activity:The program will require moderate to extensive walking and standing to participate in guided city tours, museum visits, and professional meetings.
• Weather:Thailand is tropical and humid for most of the country during most of the year. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illness to occur.

Living Arrangements

Students will stay in hotels with 2-3 students per room in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Breakfast is included daily at the hotels.

Program Dates 

December 30, 2025 - January 9, 2026.

Note: Students will need to depart the US on December 28 or 29, 2025 to arrive in Chiang Mai for the start of program activities on December 30, 2025

Academics

• Undergraduate Course options - choose one
  • COMS 1100C: Communication Among Cultures
    • OHIO BRICKS: Bridge: Learning and Doing, Foundations: Intercultural Explorations
  • COMS 4100: Cross-Cultural Communication
• Graduate students
  • COMS 6930 

Cost  

The following information is intended to help participants understand the estimated costsassociated with the program.  For additional information regarding program costs, please refer to Understanding Program Costs for Ohio-Credit Programs .

As of April 29, 2025, the total estimated cost for Winter Break 2025-2026 is expected to be:

• Undergraduate Estimate:$8,704 + 3 Credits of Spring Regional-Campus Tuition/Fees*
• Graduate Estimate:$9,954 + 3 Credits of Spring Regional-Campus Tuition/Fees*

Tuition rates are based on participant's Tuition Guarantee or Graduate Program of Study (refer to Bursars for more information).

The credit hours offered for a Winter Break program are part of the spring semester course load . Participants will not incur additional tuition costs for the spring semester if they are taking 12-20 (Undergraduate) or 9-18 (Graduate) credits including the credit hours associated with this program. Students taking less or more than a full course load will see their tuition adjusted accordingly.

Funding Opportunities

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Requirements

This program is open to all Ohio University students (undergraduates and graduates) who are in good conduct standing.

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy .

This program accepts NON-OHIO students. For more information about this process visit the Non-OHIO student page .

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility. Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Application Requirements

When applying, applicants will be required to submit:

• DARs
• Personal Statement: Why would you like to travel on this program, and what is your past travel or service experience?

This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Entry and Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,   apply for your passport  now. Some countries also require a visa to legally enter or reside in the country.

U.S. citizens  will not need a visa or other special document to enter the country for the length of this program. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to this program.

For more specific visa-related information, please visit OGO’s   Visa Information Page .

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens

Resources

• Health and Safety
• Additional Information on Country
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations