Is Thailand a Good Place to Study Abroad?

(Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by sydabroad

So, is Thailand a good place to study abroad? 100% yes. And I’ll tell you why in this article. 

It can be hard to choose a destination to study abroad. There are so many amazing choices, so how do you know which will be the best fit for you? In this article, I’m sharing a few things to know if you are looking into studying abroad in Thailand. 

I studied abroad during my junior year of college at Mahidol University in Salaya, Thailand. Salaya is located about 40 minutes outside of Bangkok. This was truly one of the best experiences of my life. 

If you want to know more about the University I studied at, click here to read about my experience at Mahidol University. Alright, let’s get into why you should study abroad in Thailand! 

Looking for more Thailand guides? 

• The Best Thai Foods You Have to Try in Thailand
• My Experience at Mahidol University in Thailand 
• How to Spend a Weekend in Phuket Thailand

Is Thailand a good place to study abroad? Let’s get into the article! 

11 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad in Thailand 

1. Thailand is Affordable 

Thailand and Southeast Asia, in general, an extremely affordable places to live and travel compared to the US and other Western Countries. I’d typically spend about 1 to 4 USD for most of my meals and getting around was very affordable. 

If you are on a budget, Thailand is a great option. Studying for a semester in Thailand (including housing) was much cheaper than studying at my home university in the United States. When I was searching for study-abroad destinations, places like London and Barcelona were extremely expensive. 

2. The Tropical Climate 

Another great reason to study abroad in Thailand is the weather. Thailand has a tropical climate so it’s warm year round. I absolutely loved this because I knew I wanted to enjoy beaches and outdoor activities. 

I also knew I was spending my semester abroad at the beginning of the year, and many places would be chilly during this time. This was the perfect time to be in Thailand. The weather was warm and sunny during the entire three months I lived there. 

The rainy season in Thailand is from July to October so make sure to pack rain gear if you will be in Thailand during these months. 

3. Off the beaten path Destination

I enjoyed that Thailand is more of an “off the beaten path” study-abroad destination. Many people typically study abroad in places like Florence, London, and Madrid – which all are amazing cities, but I wanted something a bit different. 

Studying abroad in a destination that’s not necessarily the most common is also a great resume-building experience. You’ll be surprised how many people are shocked to see that you chose such a unique place and will typically have questions about your experience.

4. There’s a bit of everything 

I love that Thailand offers something for everyone. You can experience the beautiful islands in the south such as Phuket, Koh Phangan, and the Phi Phi islands. And you get to experience the mountainous north of Thailand in places such as Chiang Mai and Pai. You also get a taste of city life in Bangkok. Thailand has it all! 

5. Travel opportunities 

I loved how easy it was to travel during the weekends. Because I studied abroad near Bangkok, there are two international airports in the city making it easy to get to anywhere in Southeast Asia. 

Flights in Thailand were extremely affordable making it easy to fly down to the islands or up north to Chiang Mai for the weekend. You can also take long weekend trips to other countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. 

6. The Cuisine 

Thai cuisine is some of the best in my opinion. It’s rich in flavor and made with the best ingredients. The food is sweet, spicy, and just incredibly delicious. The Thai curries, soups, and noodle dishes are all wonderful. I also love the street food markets all around the country

Read all about the best dishes to try in Thailand here. 

7. Embrace another culture 

Studying abroad in Thailand lets to experience an entirely new culture and this is so incredibly valuable. Thai culture is very different from Western cultures and I enjoyed getting to learn all about this vibrant culture. 

You truly get to immerse yourself in a new culture by participating in cultural festivals and holidays. When studying in Thailand you will get the chance to visit fascinating temples and learn all about Buddhism and the relationship between culture and religion. 

8. The People 

Thai people are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. A majority of people are very welcoming and understanding. 

I always felt safe traveling around the country. Even though the language barrier can be tough, Thai people were always willing to help if we had questions or needed to find a certain place while traveling. 

9. Wildlife 

Where else can you care for elephants? These are some of the most amazing animals on the planet. In Thailand, you will likely visit an ethical elephant sanctuary getting the chance to see and learn about these animals up close. 

Make sure you avoid visiting any place that allows elephant riding. This is incredibly unethical. 

On the other hand, if you enjoy sea life, you can find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world in southern Thailand. There is so much marine life in this country giving you the chance to learn all about these animals if that’s something you are interested in. 

10. Expand your worldview

Studying and living in Thailand is an entirely different culture than that of any Western country. This will expand your worldview by learning to understand and appreciate diverse cultures. You’ll get a unique experience of learning and adapting to a new way of life while living in Thailand.

11. An Unforgettable Experience

Whether you choose Thailand or not, I really encourage you to study abroad for a semester. No matter where you are in the world, this will truly be a life-changing experience. 

As cliche as it sounds, living in Thailand for a semester was one of the most amazing adventures of my life. I’ve made lifelong friends and gained the most valuable experiences. I learned so many things I never could have learned in a classroom. You’ll make connections locally and with others from around the world.

Study Abroad Thailand tips

• Although there is a language barrier, this gives you the chance to develop your language skills. You don’t need to know Thai to visit, you can get around fine with English and Google Translate. However, living here gives you a great opportunity to learn it! 
• Don’t let the fact that you don’t know anyone studying abroad with you turn you away from the experience. I did not know anyone when I signed up for my program but ended up meeting lifelong friends. I studied abroad through a program called CIS Abroad. 
• Don’t over-pack! You can always buy extra things here. 
• Be aware that in Thai culture, many things won’t start promptly on time. For instance, when I was a student, it was common for classes to start 10 to 15 minutes after the scheduled time. 

I hope I convinced you to choose Thailand as your study abroad destination! If you have any questions about studying abroad in Thailand, DM me on Instagram, comment below, or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com. 

Recommended Tours in Thailand

Like this post? Pin it to save for later!