History
The Loyola-Bangkok Program is one of Loyola University Maryland's oldest international study abroad opportunities. All classes are conducted in English and held at one of two campuses of Assumption University. The Pacific Rim generally, and Thailand particularly, is rich with history and culture. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy headed by a civilian government. The Kingdom of Thailand became the first Asian country to establish diplomatic relations with the United States of America in 1833. The United States Embassy in Bangkok is one of the largest U.S. diplomatic consulates in the world. The United States, after Japan and China, is Thailand's third largest bi-lateral trading partner.
Criteria for Acceptance
- Accepted participants generally matriculate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. All candidates with a 2.75 GPA average and above are encouraged to apply.
- Eligible students must seek their adviser's approval to ensure that the courses offered abroad help the student fulfill all graduation requirements.
- Students who are on disciplinary probation or who have a history of serious disciplinary problems are not eligible for consideration.
Academics
- The Loyola-Bangkok Program is designed to accommodate all majors. All students must take five courses while studying abroad.
- All eligible Loyola-Bangkok candidates are urged to consult with their adviser, their parents, past Loyola Bangkok student participants, and the International Program Office in order to make an informed decision as well as to facilitate the over-all application process.
- All course instruction at Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand is in English.
Length of Stay
This fall semester program runs from late May to early November.
Housing
Students will receive a Pacific Rim experience while living in a safe and comfortable environment at Assumption University, Bangkok, Thailand. All students live in the 15-story Coronation Residence Hall with single, air conditioned, fully furnished rooms with an attached private bath. All Loyola-Bangkok students have exclusive access to a 12th floor recreational-study lounge equipped with a computer, printer, cable TV, piano, reading library, and kitchen.
Campuses: Hua Mak and Suvarnabhumi
Cost
Loyola University Maryland student applicants to the Bangkok Program at Assumption University are eligible for consideration of all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid, except the Federal Work-Study Program.
Loyola University Maryland financial aid will be carried over and applied for all eligible students who study in Bangkok.
Loyola University Maryland will charge each student participant tuition fees, room fees (Ahern), a program fee and a reduced comprehensive fee.
Benefits
The Loyola-Bangkok Program at Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand is a fully packaged, comprehensive study-abroad option. It is directed by Fr. James Kelly, S.J., a faculty member of the Sellinger School of Business and the Department of Economics.
- Tuition and registration fees
- Single room housing with an attached bath
- Continental breakfast/dinner meal plan (five days/week)
- Student Thai Visa and evacuation insurance
- Round-trip airfare on Cathay Pacific Airlines
- Numerous cultural and historical excursions and day trips in the greater Bangkok area
- Two-day excursion to Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai
- 10 day excursion to Chiang Mai, Thailand inclusive of a four-day trek w/white water rafting in the mountains of northern Thailand
- Two day retreat at the Jesuit Seven Fountains spiritual center
- Six day stopover trip in Hong Kong, China
- Volunteer opportunities at a local government neighborhood grade school and other local charitable organizations
Independent Travel
All students have the ability to travel during two 10-day independent travel periods. The first extended travel period begins after mid-term exams and the second follows final exams at the end of the semester.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport serves as one of the most important transportation hubs for Southeast Asia with direct flights on multiple airlines to Bali, Nepal, India, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Presently, the US dollar is very strong relative to Asian currencies making travel relatively inexpensive compared to Europe and North America.
Application Requirements
An application and a short essay must be submitted to the international programs office by Dec. 1. All applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation. One letter should be from a Loyola faculty member who knows you well and the other from either another faculty member or staff member or coach. These letters can be sent to my campus mailbox or sent via email as an attachment. Ideally these letters should be received by our office by January 1. All questions may be directed to Father James Kelly, S.J.
Course Equivalencies
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This is a working list of the course equivalencies for the Bangkok, Thailand program.
The course approvals and equivalencies provided are the most current for the office of international programs. Once accepted to a study abroad program, students will have an academic interview with the appropriate director and will be advised on their course selection.
Please be advised: All students are solely responsible for informing themselves about the status of these courses. Course approvals and equivalencies may change at a moments notice. This means you should confirm if the following courses are approved, or if the courses have been removed.
If there are other courses you desire to take, and they are not on the course equivalency list; you must get written course approval by the department chair. The courses that you choose should fit into your degree audit and enable you to graduate on time.