Semester Programs in Bangkok and Beijing
Points
That Matter
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Study abroad in Bangkok | Thailand or Beijing | China
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Bangkok and Beijing are very low cost destinations, ca. 8-9,500 EUR/semester, incl. tuition, accommodation, food, flight ticket
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For students who study a business related major
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Come for one or two full semesters
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Gain international experience as part of your degree
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Semester times
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Fall semester: August till December/January
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Spring semester: January/February till May/June
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All lectures are in English
Contact
Bangkok - University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce UTCC
As a student of the International School of Management of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) you will receive the best business education Thailand has to offer. At the same time, you will be rubbing shoulders with Thailand's future business leaders as elite schools attract elite people. UTCC is also the oldest private university in Thailand and a brand onto itself opening up opportunities for you in Thailand and all of Southeast Asia. Tuition fees: ca. 4,900 EUR/semester
Location of UTCC
UTCC campus is located in the vibrant Din Daeng/Huai Khwang area, about 30-40 minutes from Suvarnabhumi airport and 15 minutes from downtown Bangkok Sukhumvit area.
Life in Bangkok
Bangkok has you now
This well known quote from the Hangover 2 movie captures the spirit of Thailand's never sleeping capital. Welcome to a magical place.
Sights
Bangkok itself is a sight to behold and as a visitor make sure to check out the temples, night markets, floating markets and main areas of the old town around Khaosan Road and the new business district around Sukhumvit Road.
Also, do not miss out on the parks such as Lumphini Park or Benchakitti Park where you can see tropical fruit trees and the surprisingly docile second largest lizard in the world: the Asian water monitor. But keep your distance, if you get bitten, you will have to visit one of Bangkok's excellent hospitals.
Weather
Thailand has two distinct seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season goes from October to April, the rainy season from May to September. It is always hot with temperatures upwards of 30 degrees celsius. Rainy season is not as bad as the name may imply. During the worst months it means about 1 or 2 showers a day that last for 30-60 minutes. Afterwards, it is all sunshine again.
Food
Southeast Asian food ranks highly among the most popular foods in the world. And it is easy to taste why. Fresh fruit and veg paired with a lot of seafood tastes (fish sauce) or seafood straight up (grilled fish). Thais also love their pork which may have to do with it being a majority Buddhist country and some Buddhists not eating beef. Make sure to try papaya salad (somtam) and the many varieties of fruit, such as guava, mango (mango sticky rice) you can get for next to nothing on the side of the road. As a matter of fact, given the healthy foods, the constant sweating and gyms in most hotels and condo complexes, Thailand may be one of the best places to get that beach body.
Transport
You can get around easily with the ever expanding subway/skytrain system (MTR and BTS) or take taxis/grabs which are very cheap or motorbikes if you're traveling alone without a lot of luggage. Tuktuk are a bit of a tourist trap but have to be experienced at least once.
Lastly, Bangkok is quite a walkable city so why not sketch out a walking route and put on some hiking shoes.
Fun and excitement
Bangkok is world famous for its nightlife and you will understand why as soon as you have spent one weekend there. The famous party areas are Khaosan Road in the old city and Sukhumvit in the more modern part. They are both completely nuts and you have to see it to believe it.
Money
The Thai currency is the Thai Baht (THB). People still use cash a lot and you should get a credit card before you arrive to withdraw cash at international ATMs. You can even compare the different ATMs, some give you better rates. Make sure to understand what your daily and weekly credit card limits are and adjust them, if necessary. Also bring some cash (EUR/USD) to tide you over during your first few days in country. There are a lot of money changers in the touristy areas but make sure to compare rates and trustworthiness. Superrich money exchange is always recommended.
Travel in Thailand
Bangkok is possibly one of the best places to travel from, not only around Thailand but to all of Southeast Asia.
Thailand first: There are trains to almost everywhere in Thailand from Bangkok and they are not only very cheap but a lot of fun. I recommend to take a train over a plane anytime, especially the overnight sleeper trains. You can also choose to take a long distance bus but I prefer the trains. You can buy tickets at the big train stations directly.
If you want to go to Pattaya, however, you are probably better off taking a bus. It takes a little longer than two hours and is quite a comfortable ride. You may even have a toilet on board depending on the bus company. Buses to Pattaya leave every few minutes and usually depart from Ekkamai Bus Depot right next to the sky train station Ekkamai.
Lastly, Bangkok is almost smack in the middle of Southeast Asia. It takes a little longer than an hour to most cities north of it in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and the same south of it in Malaysia, Singapore and even some destinations in Indonesia. Flying to Bali and the Philippines takes around 3 hours. So, yeah, you couldn't be in a better place to explore Southeast Asia.
SIM card
You will never have an easier time getting a SIM card. Just go to any Seven Eleven (which are literally on every street corner), bring your passport and some cash for a phone number that usually comes with unlimited data. Read the fine print though, the cheapest cards (about 5 EUR per month) may only allow you free calls on the same network.
Medical care
Thailand is a main destination for medical tourism because medical care is very affordable and of high quality. Most doctors speak very good English and you will feel well taken care of. As a student you will get insurance coverage through your status as a student but you are advised to buy travel insurance back home nevertheless.
University dress code
UTCC has a dress code requiring students to wear black pants or skirts and white shirts or blouses which you can bring from home or buy in Bangkok. There are some places close to the university selling the required clothes off the rack. However, if you arrive in Bangkok a week before the strating date you can go to Sukhumvit Road and get yourself tailor made clothes for as little as 100 EUR for a whole suit. You may as well earn back your plane ticket cost this way.
Beijing - Beijing Foreign Studies University BFSU
Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is one of the Ivy League universities in China. Traditionally known as the cradle of Chinese diplomats, it features among its alumni many Chinese ambassadors and even a Nobel Prize winner. You would be a student at the International Business School which combines business excellence with a truly international outlook.
Tuition fees ca. 3,900 EUR/semester
Location of BFSU
The BFSU campus is conveniently located in the western part of central Beijing, about 15 minutes away from the city center at Xidan by subway. Both Beijing international airports are about an hour away by taxi. All of Beijing's sights, such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall etc. can be easily reached from BFSU.
Life in Beijing
Beijing is a city of contrasts. Its ancient parts are simply breathtaking with some corners making you feel like you just travelled back through time. The modern parts on the other hand could be out of a science fiction movie about the not too distant future. Try and sample it all during your stay in the capital of the Middle Kingdom.
Sights
Too many to count. You will find all the information you need on the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Lama Temple, Temple of Heaven etc. online. After you have visited all of those, we would suggest to head for the areas that are a little less explored, such as the Hutong neighborhoods where the old school Beijingers live. If you speak Chinese, strike up a conversation, if not, just imitate what they are doing. Some may be playing Chinese chess or Go, eating lamb kebabs or just drinking the cheap Yanjing beer by the case.
Weather in Beijing
There is a saying among Beijingers: Beijing has two seasons. This means that roughly from mid October till end of March, you run around with a scarf and gloves, while from April to mid October you ditch most of your clothes and go out in sweat shirts and T shirts. The violent swings in temperature are also why there are lots of people catching a cold during the transition months.
Food
Chinese are obsessed with food and Beijingers are no different. All cuisines of China are represented in Beijing and it is up to you to sample them all. Be it rice noodles from Yunnan, sweet and sour pork from Guangdong or the famous Beijing Duck, you will become somewhat of a gourmet during your stay. The really great thing is that creative Western entrepreneurs have opened many restaurants especially in the embassy area close to Sanlitun where you can get genuine food from France, Japan, Korea, Germany, the USA etc. An American friend of mine once said that he can get better BBQ in Beijing than back home.
Transport
Your choice of transport is the same as in any other metropolis: taxi (Didi is the Chinese Uber), bus, subway, bike or walking. Taxis and Didis are comparably expensive but still likely much cheaper than what you are used to from back home. Buses are dirt cheap and the subway is efficient (no traffic jams) but has gotten a bit pricey in the recent past. However, if you are a real Beijinger, you take pride in riding your bike everywhere. And it really is the only real way to get around Beijing.
Fun and excitement
Nightlife in Beijing is quite crazy and you will figure out quickly where to go to party. As a university student, look out for club promoters (who may be your fellow students), who can put you on a guest list which gets you benefits from free admission to free drinks. The famous party areas in Beijing are Sanlitun (one of the first words most foreigners in Beijing learn) and the Wudaokou area for more student oriented entertainment, i.e. more affordable.
Medical care
Beijing is the best city for medical care in all of China for those who can get it. As a foreigner you can get it as long as you buy travel insurance back home armed with which you can go to the international medical clinics. Usually, you will pay first (cash or credit card) and then get reimbursed by your insurance company.
Money
The Chinese currency is the Chinese Yuan aka Renminbi (CNY/RMB). Nowadays, cash is not as common anymore, because people tend to use online payment methods, such as WeChat Pay or Alipay.
Still, get a credit card before you arrive for ATM withdrawals and understand what your daily and weekly limits are and adjust them, if necessary. Also bring some cash to tide you over during your first few days in country. You can exchange your money legally at most banks. Exchange services in touristy areas are usually scams, for example they will give you counterfeit CNY/RMB.
SIM cards
You can get your SIM card at most big official outlets of the big Chinese telecom companies, i.e. China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom. You can usually find them in the big shopping areas such as Xidan. You have to bring your passport to get verified. The cost is usually less than 10 EUR per month (sometimes much less when they have promotions) for unlimited calls and mobile data. So, yeah, it's probably much cheaper than you are used to from back home.
Travel in China
Despite being located in the north of China, you can easily hop on one of the futuristic high speed trains and make your way to Shanghai or Guangdong/Hong Kong in just a couple of hours. If you calculate the time it takes to get to the airport, check in, wait for boarding etc., taking a train may well be faster overall door to door. Plus, you can feel good doing something for the environment.
If you want to go beyond China's borders, Seoul is about 1-2 hours away and Tokyo about 2-3 hours. Just make sure you have a visa with multiple entries.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please send us an email: uncle@unclepolo.com
How much will it cost?
Tuition fees for Bangkok and Beijing are ca. 4,900/3,900 EUR/semester respectively. In addition, you need to budget for accommodation, travel, health insurance and your daily expenses, such as food, clothes, going out etc.
Do you offer accommodation?
In Beijing, you can stay in on-campus dorms which are actually very reasonably priced considering their central location. In Bangkok, we work with private dorms close to university and help you arrange a room. You are also free to book your own accommodation, for example through Airbnb.
When should I apply?
Applications are open ca. 9 months before the semester starts, ie. January for the semester starting in August and June for the semester starting in March. The earlier you apply, the better, as you will need time to pick the right course, apply for visas, book your plane ticket etc.
When does the semester begin?
Fall semester usually starts in August, while spring semester usually starts in February/March.
Do you offer airport pick-up?
You can book an airport pickup with us for 200 EUR, but it will be much cheaper for you to simply find your own way. We will give you all the necessary information before your arrival. If you want to be picked up, please tell us so by email: uncle@unclepolo.com
Is there a dress code at the university?
In Bangkok, students are required to wear a white shirt or blouse and black pants or skirt. Sneakers are fine. In Beijing, there is no dress code.
What courses can I choose from?
Both universities offer a wide range of courses in English in the areas of management, strategy, marketing, finance, accounting etc. We will determine the courses with every student according to their needs and interests. That is why it is advisable to apply as early as possible to make sure the necessary courses are available.
Do I need a visa for my semester abroad?
Both Thailand and China require full time students to enter the country on a student visa, which you will apply for ca. 1-3 months before your planned arrival. In the meantime, make sure that you have a passport that is valid for at least 6 more months after you finish your semester abroad.
Can you help me find an internship?
We can help you find an internship in Thailand according to your needs and interests. These internships should be of semester length, i.e. ca. 4+ months. Please let us know at least 6 months in advance, if you are interested. Please also note that internships in Thailand are usually not paid and you will have to enrol as a student for legal reasons, ideally at university. This will again incur ca. 4,900 EUR tuition fees.
Unfortunately, there are no internships available in China due to visa regulations.