May 22, 2013

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Q & A Session

Academics

Living Abroad

Getting Ready & Arrival

Welcome & Who’s Who

Your Program Advisor cristig@

eap.ucop.edu

Your Student Finance Accountant mmanzo@

eap.ucop.edu

Your Programs Specialist for

Academics ebilandzia@ eap.ucop.edu

Your Programs Specialist for

Operations (logistics) mpothongsunun@

eap.ucop.edu

May Pothongsunun Ciara Ristig Melissa Manzo Eva Bilandzia

In Thailand, Professor Thanet Makjamroen is the first person to contact with questions about host or UC academics, finance, housing, health, or anything else! He will know if it’s a question he can answer, or if it should go to your home campus or your host university. Your host university often will not understand exactly what rules or exceptions apply to UCEAP students – talk to Thanet to make sure you have the correct information!

PROF. THANET MAKJAMROEN, LIAISON OFFICER UCEAP Study Center, Thailand thanet@econ.tu.ac.th Cell Phone: 083-894-3335

Program assistant, Weerawat “Golf” Phattarasukkumjorn, is TU graduate student in Economics.

This presentation covers highlights that apply to everyone. Details concerning questions, problems, or situations you may have while in Thailand are at the links below. Bookmark them!

• Participants Portal (guides, calendars, insurance,

petitions, more…) • UCEAP Guide to Study Abroad (includes detailed

academic policies) • Thailand Program Guide (details about Thailand

program) Your signed Student Agreement confirms that you have read and understand the policies and information in these guides. You can always contact Thanet or the Systemwide Office with any questions.

• Review the program calendar on your Participants page and make travel arrangements to arrive before the official start date.

• Obtain your visa as required. Follow the visa instructions on the PDC.

• Register with U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

• Contact returnees and current participants through the UCEAP Thailand Facebook page.

• Pack light! You can buy almost everything you need in Thailand.

• Hand carry the arrival instructions from your PDC.

• Print your UCEAP insurance card, read both sides, and place it in your wallet.

• Bring your academic/departmental advisor’s email address in case you need to contact them while abroad.

• See Visa Instructions on PDC

• Apply 3-4 weeks prior to departure through the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles

• Non-Immigrant ED (Student) Visa grants a 90 day stay

- Single Entry: US$80

- Multiple Entry: US$200

• Visa Extensions

- US$65

• Re-Entry Permits

- Single Entry: US$35

- Multiple Entry: US$130

• International flights arrive at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

• Thai Immigration and Customs declaration

• UCEAP can request airport pickup for no

charge using the flight itinerary survey (PDC Item 15)

• Students will receive an email prior to departure to confirm flight information, transportation requests, and housing reservations

• Thanet’s Contact Info

- Cell Phone: 083-894-3335 - Email: thanet@econ.tu.ac.th

There will be three mandatory onsite orientations for UCEAP students:

• UCEAP – 4:30pm on August 9, 2013 at Faculty of Economics Building, 5th floor Conference Room

• TU International Office – Morning of

August 8, 2013 • TU Department – Afternoon of August

8, 2013

Be certain of where you want to stay before signing a rental agreement.

Optional pre-arranged housing • 3J Court Apartments

• Amarin Mansion

Resources • PDC Item 9

• TU housing tour

• Currency Exchange - US$1 = 30 baht - ID required

• Cash

- ATMs are the easiest way to get cash, but there will be fees added. Check with your bank before leaving for details about ATM fees while abroad.

• Credit Cards

- Accepted at larger establishments

• Thai Bank Account - Documentation from Thammasat

As a UCEAP participant, you are obligated to: • Contact a family member to notify them of your safe arrival • Keep in touch and provide up-to-date contact details in MyEAP • Check your UC email address regularly • Provide a Thai cell phone number after arrival

• Send an email, text, and/or complete the Travel Signout form to notify Thanet that you will travel out of town

• Cell Phones - Bring an unlocked phone or

buy a phone after arrival - Purchase SIM card and

reload - Many students use Skype to

communicate with family & friends in the U.S.

• Internet Access - Wireless Internet - Computer Labs - Internet Cafes

• Electronics list the voltage they are safe for - US voltage = 110; Thailand voltage = 220

• Check the markings on your items. If it doesn’t

say good from 110-220, it will short out when you plug it in. This can start a fire!

• Laptops are usually OK, but get an adapter

• For other electronics (ex. hair dryer), you’ll need a convertor/transformer

Don’t plug it in to “see if it works”!

• Campus canteens • Street vendors • Food courts • Restaurants

http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/eat/40-bangkok-foods-we-cant-live-without-342900

• Bus • Taxi • Boat • Tuk Tuk • Motorcycle • Skytrain (BTS) • Subway (MRT)

• Review your UCEAP Insurance Plan so you understand all your health coverage and how to use it.

• Research any required medication to find out if you can obtain it in Thailand, or if it is even legal! Remember, all medication must be carried in their original, labeled containers.

• Review services offered by Europ Assistance. They are a tremendous resource should you require medical care.

• If you become ill while abroad (including mental health issues):

- Contact Europ Assistance.

- Notify Thanet. He is there to help! In fact, notify Thanet about any issue that is impacting your academic performance and/or attendance.

• Scams

- You will stick out as a foreigner (“farang”), and thus a mark for scams

• Theft

- Be aware of pick-pockets, especially in tourist areas, airports, public transportation

• Political Tension and Demonstrations

- Yellow Shirts and Red Shirts

- Southern provinces: Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla

- Thai/Cambodia border: Disputed Preah Vihear temple

• Nightlife

- Alcohol consumption impairs our judgment and increases risky behavior, which increases the risk for crime. This includes the risk of physical or sexual assault.

- Maximum capacity laws not enforced and emergency exits are not always accessible

- Police occasionally conduct raids and drug tests

• Monsoon Season

- Heavy rains and floods are frequent during the May-October rainy season

• Stress abroad is not unique or uncommon. There may be times when you feel UCEAP just isn’t working for you. It’s normal to feel homesick, isolated, have family or breakup issues, or academic or money concerns. You may experience emotional ups and downs, and even depression, or illness.

• You may also experience “culture shock.”

• Follow the lead of the locals. Exercise, journal/blog, do activities that you enjoy

at home, try new activities, laugh at mistakes, make friends & get involved in the community. Learn about your new culture and try to fit in. Reach out to others.

• You might even consider withdrawing, but be sure to seek advice to explore all other solutions before reaching this important decision. Consult with Thanet and, if necessary, an onsite counselor before filing paperwork to leave. There can be academic and financial consequences.

• One of the top ranked universities in the country

• Tha Prachan campus

• Departments: British American Studies (BAS), Business Administration (BBA), Economics (BE), Politics & International Relations (BMIR), Thai Studies (PBIC)

• University student uniforms

• Respect

• Your MyEAP Study List is your official UC record. Make sure it accurately reflects the courses you are taking in this program. Do not try to enter anything into MyEAP until after you have received instructions.

• UC students are required to enroll in 25 UC quarter units (ex. five courses; four courses and a independent study project) each semester

• Keep all course material and assignments – you will need them to petition for

major, minor, GE credit when you return to campus.

• Grades can take up to 90 days to get from Thammasat University to your campus registrar.

1. Departmental Pre-Approval to Extend - No

2. Petition to Extend

1. Departmental Pre-Approval to Extend - Yes

2. Request for Final Approval to Extend

• Pay all outstanding fees to Thammasat University and to UCEAP. Program costs, housing charges, library fines, utility bills, or more will delay the release of your grades and may block on UC registration.

• Bring home course materials to assist you in petitioning for course approval to satisfy major requirements – especially syllabi and any returned graded work, but also any other assignments that will demonstrate what you did.

• Check your airline’s luggage restrictions.

• Read about reverse culture shock and be aware of common reactions to returning home.

• Upon your return, please complete surveys or questionnaires sent to you by UCEAP! Your feedback helps us maintain the quality of the programs, and improve them for future students.

“I wish I could be you all over again. I didn't know what I was getting into before I came here. Looking back now, I knew very little about the country, none of the language, and really no idea what I was going to be doing when I got here or what it was going to be like. And then I got here. My whole life just got flipped on its head as I discovered how freaking awesome this place is. All of my fears about travelling or living here subsided in about a day or two. So my suggestion to you is come in, keep an open mind, be adventurous, and get ready to fall in love with Thailand.” “Keep an open mind and a fire inside you to keep exploring, learning, and growing as people and you won't be let down by everything Thailand has to offer you. Have a great time peoples. I'm really excited for you all!”