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Thailand's Educational Tourism
Over the last decade since the 1997 financial crash fewer Thai students have been sent abroad to study. This has meant that a number of foreign universities have opened campuses whilst others have 'twinned' themselves with existing universities. These offer degrees recognized in America and Europe. There is no doubt that Thailand is a great place to be a student and these colleges are attracting quite a number of educational tourists from abroad.
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Websters University has campuses all over the world offering American accredited degrees. Situated near Hua Hin, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of subjects. Stamford International University is part of the Shiller International University that also has campuses around Europe and the US. As with Websters students can opt to do part of their course in different locations or complete the whole course in Thailand. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) offers a range of business related courses. Some programs are linked to Swinburne University in Australia through a student exchange scheme. UTCC also has ties to colleges in America and Europe. St Theresa Inti College is in partnership with the Inti Group in Malaysia. It offers joint programs with several overseas universities including Coventry University in the UK.
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Ramkhamhaeng University has over 70 professors from Canada, Europe, and the United States teaching 1200 students from over 30 different countries. The university has campuses in Bangkok, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Khon Khen.
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Both learning and teaching English as a foreign language is a big business all over Asia since English is the official language of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and it is in English that the whole region does business. Many colleges offer TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certificates. Once qualified the transition from student to teacher is swift and there are many jobs available in Thailand and elsewhere.
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Thailand being what it is, people also arrive in the Kingdom to study subjects of an entirely different flavor. Thai cuisine is popular worldwide and people travel from all over the planet to learn the culinary arts. Major hotels, such as the Oriental and the Dusit Thani open their kitchen doors to aspiring chefs. The courses are taught in English by experts. There are also a great many smaller private schools that can teach you to dabble with spices and coconut milk. Chiang Mai is by far and away the most popular place to learn and quite a large cottage industry has grown up in the town. They don't just teach you how to cook they will also take you to the market and show you how to find the best ingredients. For those who love to cook these courses are not just educational they are also thoroughly enjoyable.
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It is not only the art of traditional cooking that can be studied in Thailand; it is also possible to learn the skills of traditional massage and healing. The traditional massage school at Wat Pho in the old part of Bangkok is recognized worldwide as being the 'home' of Thai massage. Although most students will be Thai they do offer courses in English and there is no place more respected to study. Not only that, the school is in the compound of one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. They do an introductory course of ten days but in order to become a fully qualified 'massage doctor' you would need to study for four years. In addition to the school at Wat Pho itself they have also opened schools in Nonthaburi just north of Bangkok and in Chiang Mai.
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Whatever it is that you might choose to study, Thailand is a great place to do it. Not only because of the quality and variety of courses on offer but also because when classes are over it is an excellent place to relax and enjoy yourself and that is part of what being a student is all about.
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About The Author
Alex Smith maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website at http://www.cheapthaitravel.com - All of the materials on this site are the sole property and responsibility of Cheapthaitravel.com. This material may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
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