UCSD Thailand Predep Packet · Weekend excursion to Siem Reap, Cambodia Depart Bangkok Friday morning for Siem Reap, afternoon tour of floating villages outside of the city Saturday:

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Friendly and fun-loving, exotic and tropical, cul-tured and historic, Thailand beams with a lustrous hue from its gaudy temples and golden beaches to the ever-comforting Thai smile. Thailand's beaches are mythical: tall palms angle over pearlescent sand, coral gardens flourish in the shallow seas and beach parties. But, no matter what draws you to the coun-try first, a Thai meal will keep you hooked. (Lonely Planet) !!

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THAILAND2014

About BangkokSame same, but different. It's Thailish T-shirt philosophy that sums up Bangkok, a city where the tastes of many places are mixed into an often-spicy dish. The language barrier may seem huge, but it's never prevented anybody from loving the Thai people. The capital’s cultural un-derpinnings are evident in virtually all facets of everyday life, and most enjoyably through its residents' sense of sà·nùk (fun). In Bangkok, anything worth doing should have an element of sà·nùk. Ordering food, changing money and haggling at markets will usually involve a sense of playfulness – a dash of flirtation, perhaps, and a smile. It’s a language that doesn’t require words, and one that's easy to learn. With so much of life conducted on the street, there are few cities in the world that reward exploration as handsomely as Bangkok. Cap off an ex-tended boat trip with a visit to a hidden morning market. A stroll off Banglamphu’s beaten track can wind up in conversation with a monk. Get lost in the tiny lanes of Chinatown. After dark, let the BTS (Skytrain) escort you to Th Sukhumvit, where a sophisticated and dynamic city is revealed. (Lonely Planet) !

About Thailand

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*itinerary subject to change* !WEEK I !Sunday, June 29, 2014 Day: Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to the hotel. All students and faculty will be greeted at the airport by a CISabroad staff member and transported by private van to the hotel. Afternoon: CIS city and safety orientation. Evening: Welcome dinner. !Monday, June 30, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. !Tuesday, July 1, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Tour of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo !Wednesday, July 2, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel Day: Full day tour of the Chao Phraya River canals and visit to Taksin monument. !Thursday, July 3, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Day: Visit to Royal Barge Museum and Wat Arun !Friday, July 4, 2014 - Sunday, July 6, 2014: Open weekend. Explore the city like a local with suggestions from your CIS leader as part of “La Vida Local” culture series. !WEEK II !Monday, July 7, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Free time Evening: A traditional Thai performance at the National Theatre !Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Wat Yannawa !Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel Day: All-day excursion to Ayutthaya. Evening: Group dinner !Thursday, July 10, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit the Foreigner’s Quarter and Santa Cruz Catholic Church !Friday, July 11, 2014 - Sunday, July 13, 2014 Weekend excursion to Siem Reap, Cambodia Depart Bangkok Friday morning for Siem Reap, afternoon tour of floating villages outside of the city Saturday: Full day visit of Angkor Wat and Bayon Temples Sunday: Return flight to Bangkok, Thailand

Itinerary


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*itinerary subject to change* !WEEK III !Monday, July 14, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Dusit Neighborhood and Park, Vimanmek Mansion. !Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Christian Churches and Wat Indrawihan !Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel Day: Visit Silom Road, Lumphini Park, Erawan Shrine, National Museum and Gallery of Thai History Evening: Group dinner !Thursday, July 17, 2014 - Sunday, July 20, 2014 Thursday: Morning flight to Chiang Mai, guided city tour in the afternoon. Friday: Day excursion to Independently-run, local Thai farm for market shopping, cooking lessons and group meal. Saturday: Morning bus to Sukhothai (approximately 5 hour drive), afternoon guided visit of the Historical Park and ruins, overnight in Sukhothai area. Sunday: Bus ride back to Bangkok (approximately 6 hour drive). !WEEK IV Monday, July 21, 2014 Morning: Return to Bangkok !Tuesday, July 22, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Jim Thompson’s House and Siam Square !Wednesday, July 23, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to the Museum of Siam Evening: Group dinner !Thursday, July 24, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Chinatown area, Sampeng Lane markets and Wat Traimit !Friday, July 25, 2014 Morning: Breakfast and free time Afternoon: Buddhist meditation talk at a venue like the Buddhist International Meditation Center in Maha Chula-longkorn University !Saturday-Sunday, July 26-27, 2014 Free weekend !

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Itinerary *itinerary subject to change* !WEEK V !Monday, July 28, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to M.R. Kukrit’s Heritage Home !Tuesday, July 29, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Memorial of Expeditionary Force WWI Monument Evening: Study time !Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by in-class presentations from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Study time Evening: Study time !Thursday, July 31, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by in-class presentations from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Exam time Evening: Study time !Friday, August 1, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Exam time Evening: Farewell dinner !Saturday, August 2, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by group departure to airport

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David Jackson David was born in the UK and moved to the US when he was 16 and completed high school and college in Colorado. As an avid traveler, his first thought on graduation was to travel to Asia. He volunteered and lived with a family in Kathmandu for 2 months before travelling to Thailand. He quickly fell in love with the country and for the last 9 years has worked as a teacher, for NGOs and the now helping Thai people and communities connect with people travelling to Thailand. He loves his work because it allows him to share his love of Thailand and its people with others and at the same time support the great things that people all over Thailand are doing every day.


CISabroad Staff

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Weather !The month of July in Thailand is characterized by essentially constant daily high temperatures, with daily highs around 91°F throughout the month. !Suggested Packing List !• Comfortable shoes, plan to be on your feet a lot each day! • Layers are great for long days when the weather can change drastically from morning to afternoon, think

lightweight shirts, jackets, etc. • Sunscreen and sun hat or hat and gloves, depending on where you are headed and the time of year! • Rain Jacket • Small bag to pack in for overnight trips • Shower shoes for shared showers at hostels • Travel size toiletries • Plug adapters !Essential Items !• Passport • Copy of your passport to carry with you at all times • University ID • Pepto-Bismol/Imodium, Advil, etc • Prescription medications. Please make sure that they are in the prescription bottle with the original label

and not mixed into one bag or container! • Personal journal • Laptops may not be necessary for this short program, check with your professor !Items to carry-on the plane !• Camera • I-Pod or MP3 player, charger, and headphones • We do not suggest bringing any valuable jewelry or items, but if you must, it is safer to carry them on

rather than put them in your check luggage. • Keep in mind the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids in your carry on: 3.4 ounce (100ml) containers in; 1 quart-

sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 zip-top, plastic bag per passenger placed in screening bin. !!


What to Pack

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Currency !Thailand uses the Thai Baht as its currency, the current exchange rate is 1 USD = 32.36 Thai Baht but keep in mind that this may fluctuate. CISabroad recommends that you travel with some cash and exchange it at the airport, but while in country the easiest way to obtain funds is through the local ATMs. Using your credit or debit card at an ATM will give you the preferential exchange rates and 24-hour access. The ATM will automatically convert the money into Thai Baht for you but may charge you a fee of up to $5 to $7 every time you withdraw money. Remember to call your bank and let them know you are traveling abroad. Also, set up a 4-digit pin number if you have not already. Travelers checks are not recommended as they are hard to cash and will charge large fees. !How much to bring? !You will need to bring cash to cover any spending money and most meals. In the past students have bud-geted an additional $200 - $300 per week for these expenses, but this all depends on how extravagant you plan to get and how much you plan to buy and bring home for souvenirs. CISabroad does not recommend traveling with more than this amount in cash as you will be able to use your debit/credit cards in-country. Companies, such as AAA, are now giving out pre-paid debit cards to be used overseas so you may want to research this option. !Tipping !Tipping is NOT customary in Thailand, there is absolutely NO mandatory requirement to tip anyone, but small gratuities for great service are very much appreciated. !Thai Bhat Cheat Sheet $5 = 161.78 THB $10 = 323.55 THB $20 = 647.10 THB $50 = 1617.75 THB $100 = 3235.50 THB

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Additional Information


Culture Shock !Culture Shock occurs as a result of total immersion in a new culture. You may find that the English spo-ken with others may have different meanings than the Americanized English, or that the customs, or people’s behavior in daily life may cause some confusion. The visitor finds that “yes” may not mean “yes”, that friendliness does not necessarily mean friendship, or that statements that appear to be serious are really intended as jokes. You may be unsure as to when to shake hands or embrace, when to initiate conversation or how to approach a stranger. The notion of culture shock helps explain feelings of bewil-derment and disorientation and difficulties in coping with the new society. !When an individual enters a new culture he/she feels like a fish out of water. Newcomers feel at times that they do not belong and consequently may feel alienated from the native members of the culture. When this happens, visitors may want to reject everything about the new environment and may glorify and exaggerate the positive aspects of their own culture. The severity of culture shock depends on visi-tors’ personalities, language ability, emotional support, and duration of stay. It is also influenced by the extent of the differences, either actual or perceived, between the two cultures. Although the stages in the cycle do not always occur in the same order and some stages may be skipped, the following pattern is a common one. !!!!!!!!!The Adjustment Process in a New Culture: 1. Honeymoon Period – Initially many people are fascinated and excited by everything new. The visitor

is elated to be in a new culture. 2. Culture Shock – The individual immersed in new problems: Housing, transportation, shopping, and

language. Mental fatigue results from continuously straining to comprehend the foreign language. Complaints are the first symptoms.

3. Initial Adjustment – Everyday activities such as housing and shopping are no longer major problems. Although the visitor may no yet be fluent in the language spoken, basic ideas and feelings in the sec-ond language or new dialect can be expressed.

4. Mental Isolation – Individuals have been away from their family and good friends for a long period of time and may feel lonely. Many still feel they cannot express themselves as well as they can in their native culture. Frustration and sometimes a loss of self-confidence result. Some individuals remain at this stage.

5. Acceptance and Integration – A routine (i.e. –work, business, school) has been established. The visi-tor has accepted the habits, customs, foods, and characteristics of the people in the new culture. The visitor feels comfortable with friends, the classmates and culture of the country. !

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Additional Information


Safety !While Thailand is a safe country, the normal precautions should be taken to ensure your personal safety. You should be extra vigilant as a tourist as you may stand out as someone who is wealthy and therefore become a target. You should take steps to adjust to the local way of life to ensure that your actions do not offend the local people. The following are a few tips that you can follow to reduce the risk of running into trouble while abroad: !• Do not walk around late at night in unknown areas and never walk alone. Always travel in pairs or

groups. • Do not carry lots of cash. • Do not wear flashy jewelry, especially in busy areas. • Do not go out alone with people you have only recently met. • Pedestrians need to be extra careful, check both ways even if the light is red. • Always carry a copy of your passport. • Carry backpacks, purses, etc. in front of you as much as possible, ensure they are always zipped up. • Buses or crowed situations are good opportunities for thieves, be especially careful on crowded buses. !Electricity !Thailand operates on a 220V system, the US operates on a 110V system, so you will need to make sure that you have power and plug adapters for any appliances you may be bringing. For girls, please note hair straighteners are too powerful for converters so we recommend you leave them at home. !

!!!!!Time !Bangkok is 14 hours ahead of San Diego.

Example of plugs used in Thailand

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US Embassy Bangkok 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66-2-205-4049 !Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) If you are interested, you may sign up for the government STEP program which will keep you updated on travel warnings and alerts for the country you are visiting. For more information and to sign up visit the following website: https://step.state.gov/step/ !CISabroad Program Director !David Jackson Please fill in phone number upon arrival Phone:___________________________ !CISabroad Emergency Hot-line !If your family needs to contact you please have them call our 24/7 Emergency Number: 1-970-568-6496 Please note this number is for major emergencies only. !Calling Thailand !To call Thailand from the US, parents, friends and family should dial 011 then 66 (Thailand’s country code). To call the US from Thailand students should dial 001, then the area code, and then the phone number. Upon arrival you will have good opportunities to purchase cheap phone cards for calling the US. !!! !

TIPS Don’t forget your passport!

Stay positive and have a great time. And remember, BAYS! (Be Aware of Your Surroundings)

Contact Information


Documents

UCSD Thailand Predep Packet · Weekend excursion to Siem Reap, Cambodia Depart Bangkok Friday morning for Siem Reap, afternoon tour of floating villages outside of the city Saturday: