Bangkok: Information for Parents

General Contact Information

Thailand Country Code (66)
Assumption University: 001 662 300 4562
Q Building Front Desk: 001 662 300 4562 (ext. 3714) (This is the building where students receive their mail. It is staffed Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Coronation Hall: 001 662 300 4139, 4140, 4141, 4888, 4889 (This is the building where the students live. Since your son or daughter has a phone in the room, you can use any of these numbers. After the call in answered, you will be told to enter the extension number which will be the same as the student’s room number).

Key Contacts in Bangkok, Thailand

Fr. James Kelly, S.J. (001 668 7016 5234 Thai cell) (570 561-7746 U.S. cell)
Dr. Samsumita, coordinator, International Students (001 668 7341 4181 Thai cell)
Mr. Glen Chatelier, director, International Affairs ( 001 668 1626 3191 and 001 668 1848 1166 Thai cell)

Note: Bangkok is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time

U.S. Emergency Contact Numbers

Tremaynne Parham, office manager, international programs
- Office phone: 410-617-2910
Dr. Andre Colombat, dean, international programs
- Office Phone: 410-617-2910/2920
- Cell Phone: 410-446-4555
Dr. Susan Donovan, dean and vice-president of student development
- Office Phone: 410 617-2842

Background: Assumption University

Assumption, Thailand's first international university, is a co-educational institution under the conduct of the Brothers of Saint Gabriel—a worldwide Catholic religious order founded in France in 1705 by St. Louis Marie de Montfort. The congregation has served the educational needs of Thailand since 1901. Assumption is "an international community of scholars, enlivened by Christian inspiration" consisting of 18,000 students from 75 different countries.

Undergraduates attend classes at two campuses: Hua Mak (an older campus near the city center) and Bang Na - Suvarnabhumi (a new campus located in an outer southeastern suburb of Bangkok). Assumption provides continuous bus and van service between the campuses for a nominal charge. Loyola students live on the Hua Mak campus and reside in Coronation Hall—a 15-story building with domitory rooms, classrooms and offices. Loyola occupies floors 12-15. On floor 12, Loyola students have exclusive access to a study-recreational lounge with a computer, printer, cable TV, piano, reading library and kitchen. There are air-conditioned, furnished, single dormitory rooms with an attached bath on floors 13-15. Please access the Assumption University website for more information.

Course of Studies: Assumption University

Assumption University’s academic semester begins May 27, 2013 and ends October 1, 2013. Students are expected to enroll in five academic courses (fifteen credits) while studying abroad. Students usually take upper level (2) core courses while abroad: English, theology, ethics, and philosophy as well as a range of courses in political science (Thai Politics), sociology (Thai Civilization), and business. Students attend courses that are similar in style to Loyola (lectures/discussion groups/seminars) with a mid-term (July 10-19) and final exam (September 16- October 1). All instruction is conducted in English. Students pre-register for courses in the spring of 2013 prior to their departure to Bangkok. All students must go online and print a current copy of their graduation audit before they meet with their Loyola academic advisor and international program director to make sure that they are taking the appropriate courses required to graduate on time.

Student Dress

Male students are asked by university officials to wear white shirts, black pants, and a black belt (Monday-Friday) while attending class or using public university facilities (library, computer rooms, etc.). Given the high velocity air conditioning at Assumption University, it is advisable to buy both long and short sleeve shirts. If a student is 'hard to fit' then it is probably a good idea to buy his clothes in the United States: a few white shirts and a couple pairs of black pants. In terms of footwear, students may not wear flip-flops to class. Men may wear, however, non-leather tennis shoes or sports shoes (preferably black) during regular class sessions. Additionally, your son should have one pair of black leather shoes for exams and special occasions. Since our stay coincides, with the monsoon season, it makes sense that your son to pack or buy some 'fast drying' sneakers or sports shoes.

On exam days male students wear the school tie in addition to the regular dress code. All students must conform to the dress code or they will be unable to sit for their exam. The school tie and belt can be purchased at the student bookstore.

Female students are asked to wear a white blouse, black skirt (no pants), and appropriate shoes (Monday-Friday) while attending class or using public university venues such as the library and computer rooms. It is possible to buy the appropriate 'uniform' in Thailand. Again, if the student is ‘hard to fit’ then it might make sense to buy clothing in the United States. In terms of footwear, students may not wear flip-flops to class. Women should wear closed-toe shoes. Your daughter should have one pair of black leather shoes for exams and special occasions. Since our stay coincides, with the monsoon season, it makes sense for your daughter to pack or buy some 'fast- drying' sneakers or sports shoes.

On exam days female students wear the school pin and belt in addition to the regular dress code. Women wear the school pin in lieu of the university tie. All female students must adhere to this dress code or they will be unable to sit for their exam. The school pin and belt can be purchased in the student bookstore.

Note: U.S. students get use to uniforms quite quickly; in Thailand, uniforms are the norm for those attending school at all levels; students in uniform 'blend in' better while in uniform than other foreign nationals visiting or living in Thailand; uniforms are also easy to wear and to maintain; a more detailed 'packing list' and 'packing tip guide' will be distributed and discussed during the parents orientation meeting.

Student Finances

Students can easily use both American credit cards and American ATM cards to pay for goods and services in Thailand—this is especially useful for visits to the hospital and payments for air travel. Make sure you contact your bank and credit card company prior to your departure in order to let them know you will be in Thailand for six months. All students open a basic savings account at a very convenient student-oriented branch of the Bank of Ayudhya. The Bank of Ayudhya has branches all over Thailand inclusive of the Hua Mak and Bang Na campuses. In terms of ATM user fees, it is cheaper to use a Bank of Ayudhya ATM card then an American ATM card. The Bank of Ayudhya bankcard (there is a special card made available to Assumption University students) can also be used as an additional form of identification in Thailand.

In order to open a bank account in Thailand your daughter/son ought to bring money overseas in the form of traveler's checks. It can take up to a month for a U.S. check to clear while traveler's checks can be cashed immediately. Some of this money can be deposited in the bank and the rest can be kept in check form for travel to other Asian countries where ATM machines may not be available. Students spend anywhere from $3,000-$6,000 during the semester. These funds are used primarily for food (on weekends), entertainment and extended travel.

Student Visa

Loyola University Maryland pays a $200 multiple-entry student visa fee for each student. Loyola personnel will deliver all visa applications to the Thai embassy in Washington D.C. for processing. The actual Thai visa will be affixed to each student’s passport. If a student loses his or her passport then he/she will be responsible for purchasing a new Thai visa and U.S. passport. Note: Passports must be valid for an additional six months beyond our November 2013 return from Thailand. If a passport expires any time earlier then it must be renewed prior to any visa requests.

Student Travel and Other Educational Expenses

Loyola pays for all student air travel expenses from the United States to Bangkok on Cathay Pacific Airways. Loyola will pay all expenses for motor coach transportation to and from the airports in Bangkok and Hong Kong inclusive of porter fees. Loyola will be responsible for paying each student's bill for tuition, room, and board at Assumption University. Loyola also pays for most costs associated with several day and overnight field trips scheduled throughout the semester.

Bangkok

Summary Expense Information

Tuition: $20,925 per semester (2013-2014)
Room: $5,238 per semester (2013-2014)
Program Fee: $500
Comprehensive Fee: $125

The Loyola-Bangkok Study Abroad Program includes the following:

Application and Registration fees - Assumption University
Tuition fees - Assumption University
Room fees - Assumption University
Board fees - Continental Breakfast (Monday-Thursday) and Dinner (Sunday-Thursday)
Student Visa - Thai Embassy
International Medical Evacuation Insurance
Roundtrip Airfare - USA/Hong Kong/Bangkok and Bangkok/Hong Kong/USA
Excursion to Pattaya and Nong Noch Botanical Garders - 1 day: meals, entrance fees, and motor coach
Excursion to Kanchanaburi and River Kwai - 2 days/1 night: lodging, meals , entrance fees and motor coach
Excursion to Bang Pa In and Sukhothai - 2 days/1 night: lodging, meals, entrance fees and motor coach
Excursion to Chiang Mai - 3 days/3 nights: lodging, breakfast, entrance fees, and motor coach
Northern Thailand Trek- 4 days/3 nights: lodging, meals, ground transportation, whitewater raftting fees, guide fees, porter fees, and national park entrance fees
Seven Fountains Retreat Center - 2 days/2 nights: lodging, meals, and fees
Hong Kong - 6 days/6 nights: lodging, breakfast, porter fees, and all airport motor coach transport
Various dinners and special event meals scheduled throughout the semester
Note: some aspects of the above may be subject to future revision

Financial Scholarship-Aid

Thailand is a fully sponsored Loyola program. Hence, all student financial assistance packages from Loyola remain the same for students studying abroad. Students pay tuition and housing to Loyola. All Loyola scholarship packages also apply to programs like ours in Bangkok. Students will still need to fulfill all aspects of their various scholarship program (GPA, minimum credits, etc.) while abroad.

Insurance

All students must be covered by a medical insurance policy while they are living/studying overseas. All parents/students should contact their insurance carrier to check on overseas coverage. We ask that the insurance company send Loyola a letter stating that said coverage would apply to the student while he/she is abroad. This letter can be sent to the International Programs Office, 4501 N. Charles St., Baltimore MD 21210, c/o Mr. Tremaynne Parham.

The Loyola-Bangkok program does pay for student evacuation insurance in the unlikely even that a Loyola student might need to seek hospital care outside of Thailand.

Health Care

Assumption University provides health services in the Martin De Tours Hall and Residence Halls. Students are responsible for making arrangements for their own health care prior to their May departure. Registered nurses are on duty Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and are available for emergencies, first aid, and medical counseling. There is one very well regarded, fully staffed, acute care hospitals approximately five minutes from campus. Samitivej Hospital (Srinakarin) has doctors on staff who are available for medical consultation by appointment in virtually all medical specialties.Students, faculty and staff members with pre-existing medical conditions are encouraged to keep their files active at the Health Center regarding the nature of their problems so that appropriate action can be taken in the even of an emergency.

Usually students pay for medical treatment up-front and then are reimbursed by their insurance carriers once they return home. This has never been a problem for students in the past since medical costs in Thailand are much lower than those in the U.S. Hospitals routinely accept American credit cards for payment of services rendered.

Hua Mak	Suvarnabhumi
Infirmary Room (Martin De Tours Hall (M Bldg.)- floating floor)	Infirmary Room (Queen of Sheba, 2^nd Floor) Residence Halls
Contact: 0-2300-4543-62 ext. 3504	Contact: 0-2723-6296
Mon-Fri (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)	Mon – Fri (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Baggage Travel Rules for Cathay Pacific Airways

Luggage: two bags(each 50 lbs.); max dimension 62 in.; carry on bag 15 lbs.; personal items (overcoat, small handbag, briefcase-laptop 9lbs. wt max).

Cabin Baggage: For all classes, each passenger (except an infant) can bring a free baggage allowance of one cabin bag not exceeding 56x36x23cm (22x14x9 in) in size. These dimensions include wheels, handles and side pockets.

For all classes, each passenger (except an infant) can bring a free baggage allowance of one cabin bag not exceeding 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) in size. These dimensions include wheels, handles and side pockets.

For passengers who are not departing from or transferring through London Heathrow Airport, in addition to the above allowance, you may carry on-board the following items free:

An overcoat or shawl;
A small handbag;
A briefcase (no more than 4kg. or 9lbs. in weight);
A notebook or laptop computer (no more than 4kg. or 9lbs. in weight, including case and accessories);
A small camera or a pair of binoculars;
An umbrella / walking stick / crutches

All sharp items must be placed in checked baggage. This includes knives of any sort, metal nail files, scissors, tweezers, and so on. If any of these items are found in your carry-on luggage, they will be confiscated by security, and not returned to you. Cathay Pacific Airways will not assume any responsibility for confiscated items.

Students are expected to dress appropriately for their travel to Thailand: men in long pants and women with skirts or dresses. No jeans please. Students can change into something more comfortable during the flight but they should be appropriately 're-attired' as we pass through Thai customs and are later meet the Assumption University welcoming team.

Parent-Family Visits

The Loyola Bangkok Program welcomes visits by parents and family members. The best time to visit us is probably during between July 29 and September 15. Student exams are held July 10 to July 19 (midterms) and September 16 to October 1 (final exams).

Student Mailing Address at Assumption University

Student’s Name
C Building - Room #____
Loyola-Bangkok Program
Assumption University
Ramkhamhaeng, soi 24
Hua Mak, Bang Kapi
Bangkok 10240
Thailand

Note: Like many countries, mail delivery in Thailand is often slow and not all that secure. If you want to send a package to your son or daughter, remember that they may have to pay a custom’s tax which can be expensive. Fed-Ex, DHL, and other couriers are an option. Do not try to send high tech goods from the United States to Thailand, they can be impounded and taxed heavily. Remove price tags from any new clothing or items you might send.