Thailand: Chiang Mai University (USAC)

This unique program to Chiang Mai, Thailand is offered through UNI's partnership with USAC (University of Study Abroad Consortium). As one of USAC's Specialty Programs, students will live and study on Chiang Mai University's campus (CMU) but take courses taught by USAC professors. They will also have the option to connect with up to 50-60 other US students participating in the program during the same term.

Since courses are lead by USAC professors, everything is taught in English. However, students still have access to all the same resources and facilities offered by the university.

Not only will students be advised through the process by the UNI Study Abroad Center, but they will also receive help and guidance from USAC staff as well. Because USAC has an office on CMU's campus, students will have on-site staff to support them upon their arrival in Thailand through the entire duration on the program!

Dates & Deadlines

Term: Summer 2025
App Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Program Dates: Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, June 28, 2025

Term: Fall 2025
App Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Program Dates: Thursday, August 21 - Saturday, December 6, 2025

The application cycle for Spring 2025 is currently closed. Summer and Fall 2025 applications are open. Students can click the link below to schedule this meeting beginning in November.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the spring of 2026 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. You can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Location

Located on the Ping River, Chiang Mai is known as the "Rose of the North". This vibrant city is one of the most scenic area's in the country due to the high mountain ranges that surround the city, providing many area's for students to see and explore. Not only is the city surrounded by natural beauty, but it is also full of ancient culture, historical landmarks, and has hundreds of years of economic prominence.

Chiang Mai University (CMU) was the first institution of higher education in Northern Thailand. The university has 40,000 students total divided between four campus locations. USAC students stay on the SuanSak campus, situated quite close to the city center. With more than 600 acres, SuanSak is full of beautiful vegetation as well as numerous shops, cafes, stores, banks, and post offices on or near campus.

Academics

Students will enroll in 12-18 credits for a total of 4-6 courses. All students are required to complete a minimum of one Thai language course for 1-3 credits. The rest classes that students choose from can be from any field of study offered. Some area's of study are listed below:

Health and Wellness
Thai Culture and Asian Studies
Sustainability
Business

Students also have the option to take a field studies course, or participate in an internship for credit through this program as well. For more information on either of these options, please view the tab below.

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Portugal, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Thailand.

Immigration Information

Students going to Thailand for more than 60 days will need to apply for a student visa.

Your Study Abroad Advisor and USAC will help you through this process but it is the student's responsibility to stay on top of the visa application process and to review the latest updates related to their destination country.

Housing & Meals

USAC students are housed in the Green Nimman CMU Dormitory building located within walking distance to campus. Students will have a fully furnished shared bedroom, equipped with air-conditioning, WiFi, a private bathroom, and mini-refrigerator. This dormitory also has a shared lounge area for all student residents.

Green Nimman is also located in one of the best districts of the city where students will have easy access to the best shopping and entertainment areas, as well as affordable cafes and restaurants.

Summer School

Thailand's summer school option is very customizable, allowing students the choice between 2 sessions over the summer term for 5-6 weeks each, or students can even participate in both sessions if they would like. Session One takes place mid-May through the end of June, and session Two runs from July through the middle of August. Student will take 1-2 classes per session, earning a total of 3-7 credits.

For more information, please follow the link at the top of the page to schedule a first steps meeting with a study abroad advisor today!

Internship/Field Studies

Semester Internship:

Enhance your study abroad through an internship in Chiang Mai! This is a great way for students to gain valuable skills through a hands-on experience while learning about the workplace culture, norms, and expectations in Thailand. Through interning abroad, students will expand their professional network, develop cross-cultural understanding, and intercultural communication and language skills. While internships are available to both semester and summer students, some fields of study only offer internships during the semester. Placements are available in the following fields:

Digital Marketing and Social Media Management
English-Language Instruction
Health and Wellness
Journalism and Communications
Natural Resources and Environmental Studies

*Internships require an additional fee for USAC to help students secure a placement

Field Studies

Students can participate in a 1-credit field study course during their semester or summer abroad in Thailand. Field studies are carefully planned overnight excursions that allow students to explore cultural, historical, and natural features of the country. An academic component such as readings, research, and written assignments will increase the understand of the sites and people visited. This is a unique, hands on approach to complement the larger academic program, and provide a way for students to learn in new ways, and connect classroom learning to the world around us.

Field studies have an additional fee and are subject to meeting minimum enrollment requirements to run. Therefore, they may not be available every term.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost will vary

Costs for the USAC program to Thailand will vary depending on students preferences and necessities. Students will go over projected costs with a UNI study abroad advisor during their First Steps meeting.

USAC is a nonprofit, so they make it a priority to keep costs affordable to allow more students to gain an international experience. They also offer a wide variety of scholarships, grants, and discounts to students, as well as assistance to students who need help applying for financial aid.

UNI study abroad center also has many scholarship resources available for students. Visit our "Finances and Scholarships" page for more information.

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,993
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$902
Transportation	$395
Total	$11,544

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to Study Abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to Study Abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the University
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.