Program Description

The CYIT program is a specially-designed academic program offered through a partnership between UW-Madison and Chiang Mai University, Thailand (CMU). The program is located in northern Thailand, one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse areas in the world. Chiang Mai University serves a student body of more than 24,000. One of the most beautiful campuses in Southeast Asia, the university offers a full range of academic disciplines.

Located on a broad, fertile plain 1,000 feet above sea level, Chiang Mai enjoys a pleasant tropical climate most of the year. The largest city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is both a historic traditional city and a modern urban center. A hub of political and commercial activity, as well as a center of Theravada Buddhist learning, Chiang Mai provides a lively atmosphere rich in culture and traditional arts.

Academics

This program is available for the academic year or the fall semester. All participants participate in a preparatory summer session at UW-Madison before studying abroad in Thailand. The summer session includes intensive Thai language training worth up to 8 credits, as well as academic and cultural orientation sessions.

The academic year program consists of three parts:
• Thai language study. Instruction in group and/or tutorial settings (8 credits).
• Subject tutorials. During each semester, students will choose a subject tutorial in an area of interest. The tutorials are usually conducted in English (3 credits each, for a total of 6 credits).
• Fieldwork project. A faculty-supervised study takes students off campus and into the field. The project structure proves to be both flexible and challenging: it allows students to pursue their own personal interests, but also requires taking primary responsibility for designing and successfully completing the project (12 credits).

The semester academic program in Thailand involves Thai language study (worth 4 credits) and three subject tutorials in topics of each student’s choice (3 credits each, 9 credits total).

Chiang Mai University faculty provide all classroom and tutorial instruction. UW-Madison Professor Robert Bickner, the Academic Director of the program, remains in close contact with students and other program participants throughout the year via phone, fax, and e-mail. Professor Bickner also visits the program in the winter.

Housing

After an initial month-long stay with a Thai family, students are given the choice of continuing the homestay, or living in an apartment, private dormitory, or guest house. The local Thailand program staff will help arrange housing. Students are encouraged to live within the Thai community.

Excursions and Activities

During the program, students learn firsthand about the cultures of Thailand’s northern hill tribes and witness colorful local festivals such as the Flower Festival in February and the Rocket Festival in May.

Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Social Sciences houses the College Year in Thailand program office. A committee of Chiang Mai University faculty oversees the program locally. One of the committee members serves as the program director and academic advisor. The program’s secretary assists with daily life and questions, and UW-Madison’s International Academic Programs office communicates regularly with the Thailand program office.