S TUDENT R EPORT
C HULALONGKORN U NIVERSITY
B ANGKOK , T HAILAND
Name of the University:
Names of the students:
Exchange semester:
Chulalongkorn University
Niclas Gehin and Cathrine Dehlie
Thorsen
Fall, 2010
1. ACADEMIC INFORMATION
General Information about the School
Chulalongkorn University is one of the best known schools in Thailand and
its large campus is situated right in the centre of Bangkok. The location is
close to the business district, the biggest shopping malls, and has easy
access to all kinds of public communication, such as busses, metro (BTS)
and skytrain (MRT). The Faculty of Economics is located in the southern
end of the campus, right next to a metro stop. The Faculty of Economics
has a large canteen where you can buy lots of different Thai dishes for THB
20 (NOK 5). A small shopping centre is also situated right next to the
economics faculty with about ten different kinds of restaurants, ranging
from sushi to KFC.
The Teaching situation
We attended four courses at the master program at the Faculty of
Economics. You can choose among courses from four different programs;
the Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance(MAIEF), Master
of Arts in Business and Managerial Economics (MABE), Master of Arts in
Labor Economics and Human Resource Management (MA Labor) and
Master of Arts in Health Economics and Health Care Management (MSc
Health). The classes varied from 30 to 60 students and were held in smaller
classrooms. We were a total of four master exchange students at the
Faculty of Economics who met together at the beginning of the semester
and took several courses together through the semester.
We attended a total of four classes at Chulalongkorn. Since we picked
courses from different programs we got to meet with a lot of new people
in each class, which was a fun experience. The classes were taken one by
one and finished with an exam before the next course started. This gave us
quite an intensive timetable in periods, while we had the ability to have
several weeks off later. As previous student reports point out, the Thai
students generally come across as quite shy, but are very interested in
getting to know you once you start talking to them.
The quality of the lectures was quite variable depending on the professors.
Most of them were good and several were hired in from prestigious
schools in Singapore, Japan, Italy etc. while some others were quite hard to
follow, partly due to their English skills.
Required Literature
In our case we found the literature provided to us in class sufficient and did
not have the need to buy any more literature. If you should need a book,
this can be bought at the school’s bookstore at prices that are about one
forth of what the book would have cost you in Norway.
Description of Courses
2942612
Economics of International Investment (MAIEF program)
The aim of the course is to explain the main drivers behind international
investments and to analyse the behaviour of multinational corporations.
The course evaluation is divided into three parts: 50% term paper, 25% inclass presentations and 25% exam (true/false)
2946602
Labor Economics (MA Labor)
The course teaches basic economic theory of labour markets and its
participants. The course presents both theory and empirical literature.
Students are being evaluated based on group presentations, group
assignment, class participation and final written exam.
2949652
Money and Financial management in Economic
Development (MABE program)
Aim to analyze the role of money and finance in economic development,
and to provide a better understanding of the government’s role in policy
making and developing money and capital market and a system for
economic development. Part 1: theoretical background and models (60%
written exam). Part 2: practical approach and guest lecturer from Julius
Bärs (40 % written exam)
2949659
SP-TOP-BUS-MGT: Game Theory & Managerial
Application (MABE program)
Aim to give students an understanding of basic game theories and how to
utilize these in more practical settings. Evaluation in the form of group
assignments, presentations, class participation and final written exam.
The level of difficulty was equal or below BI standards for all the courses.
2. PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON THE SCHOOL AND THE EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE
Information before you left
We did not receive any information before we arrived, but if you have
questions before you leave you should not hesitate to contact the
exchange office at the Faculty of Economics.
Course registration is usually one of the first weeks of the semester, usually
the last or second to last week in September. The process can be quite
frustrating, as there is very little information about the courses available.
You can always talk to or send emails to the different program directors,
and ask for last year’s timetables and course syllabuses.
We did not apply for a student Visa at the Thai Embassy in Oslo before we
left, and did not experience any big difficulties by doing it at the
Immigration Office in Bangkok. The Office is located 30 minutes outside the
city centre, and the International Office on campus is more than helpful
finding the address and providing you with all the required documents. You
should buy a student multi entry Visa if you plan on leaving the country
more than twice. We did Visa runs the first 90 days before we eventually
had to get a student Visa. The Visa is about 700 NOK if bought in Bangkok,
and remember to bring enough cash.
Academic Calendar
We started our first class the second last week of September and ended
the last class December 10. The courses at Chulalongkorn are being taught
in sequence, that is you are supposed to finish one course before you
attend another one. We were able to take two courses at the same time
during the first weeks, and this gave us more time to travel later on during
our stay. A couple of classes are only thought during the weekends or in
the afternoon, and this can open up even more time for travelling. Be
careful when you select courses and make sure you get some vacation in
between.
Reception
The Faculty of Economics has very few exchange students at the master
level, so do not expect “Fadderullan” and other big exchange events
arranged by the school. There is one person working at the faculty’s
exchange office, who’s only task is to make sure that the exchange
students are finding their way around. Though, be prepared to sort out
most of the problems you encounter yourself. You can always drop by the
International Office at Chulalongkorn.
Housing
Housing prices are relatively cheap in Bangkok compared to home. We
shared an apartment at Evergreen Place www.evergreenplace.com which is
in the city centre and quite close to the school. We paid about NOK 4,000
each for 70sqm on the 19th floor with a nice view. This is quite expensive
for Bangkok and much more than what you will end up paying if you take a
bit more time to find something else. However, Evergreen is quite
convenient since it is originally a hotel that also rents out rooms for longer
periods. Therefore you can check in the day you arrive and check out the
day you leave paying with a credit card, without having to sign any
contract, trusting someone with a deposit or paying cash at the end of
every month. You have a swimming pool, gym, restaurant, room-service,
small kitchen in case you should need it, three maids cleaning your room
and changing your bed sheets every day. All in all, it’s like living in a hotel.
Walking from Evergreen to the economics faculty would take about 30
minutes each way, or 10 minutes by taxi (NOK 10) or maybe 5 minutes with
the motorbike taxis (if you’re crazy enough to get on one of those). It
should also be possible to take the bus which usually costs about NOK 1-2.
Another alternative is to check in at a guest house the first few days so that
you have time to find something cheaper. Bear in mind that the traffic can
be very heavy in Bangkok though, and what looks like a short distance on
the map might take quite some time by car. A good idea could be to find
something along the metro line as there is a stop very close to the
economics faculty.
The school also recommends Nonsi residence which is further south in
Bangkok, which is quite similar to Evergreen, though those we talked to
who lived there complained about being stuck in traffic on their way to
school.
Expenditures
Thailand is a lot cheaper than Norway, and you will be able to have a really
good time on an average Norwegian student budget. Books and course
materials are provided by the school. Meals range from NOK 4 at street
restaurants and in the canteen to NOK 60-70 at nicer restaurants. Taxi is a
very cheap way of getting around in the city (from NOK 6), though the
traffic can be stuck at times.
Social Activities
We travelled quite a lot during our exchange, and visited countries such as
Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and China. We also got the
chance to visit several places in Thailand, including Ko Tho, Ko Samui, Ko
Phi Phi, Phuket, Chiang Rai and Ko Samui. Due to the sequential timetables
at Chulalongkorn and its geographic location, this is perfect if you wish to
travel around in South-East Asia. Travelling is highly recommended!
Final remarks
If you’re looking for a different semester with a warm climate, beautiful
beaches, lots of traveling, spicy food and friendly people, the land of smiles
should be the perfect destination for you.
We got to meet lots of friendly people during our travels and stay in
Bangkok, both Thais and other foreigners. If you’re in the masters program
do not expect to be part of a large group of other master exchange
students, as there are usually quite few master exchange students at the
Faculty of Economics every semester. There is always a possibility to hook
up with the bachelor exchange students at other faculties at Chulalongkorn
and students at other universities in Bangkok. We had a fun time and met
several other Nordic people at events arranged by the Danish Chamber of
Commerce (can be worth checking out).
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send an e-mail
Contact information:
Cathrine Dehile Thorsen
cathrine.dehlie.thorsen@gmail.com
Niclas Gehin
niclas.gehin@gmail.com