Bangkok, Thailand C'11

At A Glance

Term – C 2011
Project Opportunities – IQP
Housing – Student residence at Chulalongkorn University
Director – Professor Richard Vaz
Preparation – 1/2 unit preparation activity in B 2010
Application Deadline – October 1, 2009 (before 1:00 pm)

LOCATION:

Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand has many of the opportunities and challenges common to developing nations. Students at the Bangkok Project Center have a unique opportunity to become acquainted with the people of Thailand and to help address local problems by working on a variety of social and environmental projects. Despite its challenges, Thailand is intensely beautiful: a land of gilded temples and golden beaches. The Thai people are among the friendliest and most hospitable in the world and have a great talent for enjoying life. Accommodations on the prestigious Chulalongkorn University campus in the heart of Bangkok position WPI students to meet Thai students and to explore the city's many attractions.

PROJECTS

WPI students work in project teams on IQPs sponsored by local nonprofit organizations, universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations. Most projects will involve Thai students from Chulalongkorn University, providing an opportunity to work on a cross-national team. Projects are conducted on a wide variety of topics and are arranged in advance through resident coordinators in Bangkok. Most projects provide the opportunity to work with under served communities, and some give students the opportunity to experience life in the countryside. Project themes and recent examples in each area are as follows:

Health and human services

Improving the Bangkok Refugee Learning Center: An Assessment of the Current Program and the Development of a Computer Literacy Course

Community development

Tsunami Mitigation in Ban Nam Khem, Thailand: Assessment of Evacuation Towers, the Warning System, and Education and Training

Sustainable development and appropriate technology

Developing a Strategy to Improve Solar Home System Sustainability in Rural Thailand

Environmental issues

Addressing Threats to Water Quality in Suan Phung Nature Education Park

ESTIMATED EXPENSES:

Estimated out-of-pocket expenses	$1,600 $ 70 $ 700 $ 500 $3,070	Round trip travel to site Local transportation (from airport to residence and daily) Meals Weekend tourist activities, gifts and souvenirs & incidentals Estimated total out-of-pocket expenses
Expenses Included on your WPI Bill	$1,050	Housing, local arrangements & program expenses (includes project related travel, cultural enrichment plus a single entry non-immigrant visa fee)
Estimated Total Expenses	$4,120	Tuition and on-campus housing NOT INCLUDED

* subject to change due to fluctuations in the exchange rate

Note:

In calculating the extra expense to participate in an off-campus project experience compare this figure to expenses incurred while living on-campus
(groceries or meal plan, entertainment expenses, transportation, etc.)

Some scholarship assistance for students going to this project center is available for those who are U.S. citizens and Pell Grant recipients. Apply to the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship Program.

Travel Dates:

Arrive at site: Monday, January 3, 2011
Depart Site: Saturday, March 5, 2011
Housing is provided beginning and ending on the dates determined. Students who plan to arrive earlier or stay later will need to make their own accomodation arrangements outside of those dates.