CHULA ISE

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Learn and experience a different culture and a new environment

Chula ISE welcomes incoming exchange students from our partner institutions around the world and is dedicated to ensuring that each student has a rewarding and memorable learning experience here. Chula ISE offers opportunities to exchange for a semester or academic year by paying tuition fees to their home University. As per our Exchange Program agreement, all incoming students will be exempt from paying tuition fees to Chulalongkorn University during the exchange period. This will allow them to take classes here and transfer credits back to their school.

ISE Fact Sheet
Admission/Application Requirements

GPA requirement: preferable 3.0 (a copy of a transcript is required along with an application form)

Score requirement: score should not be more than 2 years old

TOEFL
Internet-based: 79
Computer-based: 213
Paper-based: 550

IELTS
Overall band: 6.0

TOEIC
Minimum requirement: 670

Language of instruction: English
Required Documents
1. A completed application form "Student Exchange Application Form Incoming"
2. A nomination letter from home institute
3. Two recommendation letters from academic advisors
4. An official transcript of academic records issued by the institute presently being attended
5. An English proficiency score record (only for non-native speaker of English)
6. A copy of passport
7. Study plan
When to Apply

Semester Study Period Application Deadline

Fall Semester August - December March 31

Spring Semester January - May August 31
The Notification of Results

The result of application will be announced by the end of May and the end of October for the entry in the Fall semester and the Spring semester, respectively. At that time, students will receive a package for pre-arrival preparation. In addition, you will be contacted by our staff concerning any necessary topics.

Academic Information

Grading System of Chulalongkorn University

Letter Grade	Numerical Grade	Assessment
A	4.00	Excellent
B+	3.50	Very good
B	3.00	Good
C+	2.50	Fairly good
C	2.00	Fair
D+	1.50	Poor
D	1.00	Very poor
F	0.00	Fail

Tentative Course Listing and Semester Information

Students who are interested in joining Chula ISE exchange program can review course information by following the links below. These courses are tentative and seatings are subject to availability. You may contact our office for an updated course listing prior to the intended semester. Please contact your school to get approval for course selection in advance.

Academic Calendar

Please click here for the schedule.

VISA Process

Before arrival

A letter to obtain a visa and certificate of admission for visa application will be sent to all exchange students. They are required to apply for a non-immigrant “ED” type visa only. A multiple re-entry visa is recommended for those who plan to leave the country during the exchange semester.

After arrival

All exchange students will be allowed to stay 90 days from the first entry with a student visa. They should process their visa extention one month before the expiry date. Students can request a visa extension letter from the Chula SE Office.
Download Visa Request Form >> Click here
Housing Information
There are various options but living on campus is your best choice since it puts you at the heart of student life. It gives you a chance to be independent while being surrounded with support from residence staff.

Process for reservation
- Reservation for CU i- House will be made by Chula ISE after a student has confirmed his/her acceptance. The deadline for reservation is 1 month before the beginning of the semester.
- You are responsible for your own accommodation fee, the electricity / water expenses and telephone bills and normally, the minimum contract of stay for each apartment is at least 6 months.
For more information please click the link below.
- CU I-house
- Nonsi residence
Useful Information

Estimated Monthly Allowance Budget

Students may expect the cost of living each month to be approximately as follows: EUR 350, USD 400, or THB 15,000. This does NOT include accommodation. Remarks: Total expenses might vary from student to student. Please refer to the Bank of Thailand’s exchange rate for latest updates.

Places to eat

Students could easily find a variety of food from the canteens on campus and restaurants nearby. One recommended dining area is “Siam Square area.” Siam was the ancient name of Thailand so it’s somewhat ironic that this central district of Bangkok is now the trendiest and modern area of Bangkok. The Siam area is very small, yet heavily built up with shopping malls and hotels. Many popular restaurants are hidden inside – most notably Siam Paragon and Siam Discovery Shopping Malls which both have good restaurants but they are somewhat pricy. However, there are also stand-alone restaurants with reasonable price that you can find in the area of Siam Square market.

Transportation

Chula ISE is just 10-minute walk from a Skytrain (Bangkok mass Transit System, aka BTS) There are also free shuttles that run between campus and the nearest BTS station, and from CU i-House to university campus.
* Free Wi-Fi access on campus with student’s account login
* Prepaid mobile sim card : approximately 200 Baht (excluding usage charges)

Dress Code

Students who register at the undergraduate level in our exchange program are requested to wear University uniforms. For both male and female students’ uniforms, slippers are strictly prohibited. University uniforms and accessories can be purchased at the CU cooperative store, Sala Phra Kieo branch or shopping areas nearby, such as MBK, Siam Center etc. For more information on a proper uniform, please click here.

Do’s & Don’ts

Although Thai people are very proud of their sovereign nation and Thai culture remains strong, Thailand is becoming more influenced by Western culture. The majority of Thais are Buddhist and this greatly influences their daily life. Thai people are amongst the friendliest, most tolerant and nicest people in the world and they appreciate attempts by foreign visitors to be respectful to Thai culture and to have a go at speaking the Thai language. Chula ISE has also provided Surviving Thai class of 20 hours per semester for our exchange students.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts so you can avoid any embarrassing situations:

· Do learn something about Thai culture before you come to Thailand.
· Don’t ever touch a Thai person on the top of the head, unless you know them very well. Because the head is considered the closest thing to Buddha or Godliness.
· Do smile, if you are friendly with people they will be friendly to you and you will be surprised at just how far this can get you.
· Don’t ever lose your temper in public. Thai people like to save face, and getting angry in public shows a lot of disrespect and will make you look like a bad guy.
· Do remove your shoes when entering a house or a Temple. When in doubt; look for the presence of other shoes at the entrance. For wheelchair users, this is not an issue. But, just make sure that you’re not going to make the floor dirty.
· Don’t do anything that might be considered disrespectful to the Royal family. Thai people love their king as he has done a lot of good for the country and its people, repercussions for being disrespectful to the Royal family will be immediate and severe.
· Do observe smart dress when entering a Temple, women should have shoulders covered and both men and women should avoid wearing scanty shorts. Remember to always take off your shoes when entering a religious building.
· Don’t ever show the soles of your feet or point at someone with your feet, if they are not an intimate acquaintance. Feet are considered unclean and this would be considered very insulting.
· Do leave a small tip at a restaurant if you have enjoyed the meal, about 10% is considered good practice.
· Don’t ever go topless, if you are a woman on the beach, people will pretend not to notice, but some may be deeply offended, especially Muslims.
· Do the Wai, this is a Thai greeting made by putting your hands together at about chest height and pointing your fingers to the sky, with a small bow of the head. If you are not familiar with it, just do the best you can. Thai people will understand.
· Don’t gamble or accept any invitations for gambling as it is illegal in Thailand.

Just be yourself, but try to be respectful of all things. And remember that you’re in a foreign country. Think about the consequences of your actions and remember that you’re the students of Chulalongkorn University so in some situations you will have to adapt.

Interesting links for our new exchange students
http://www.tourismthailand.org/
http://www.thai-language.com/
http://www.highlightthailand.com
For More Information

Our Exchange Coordinators work personally with each exchange student, both incoming and outgoing, to ensure that each has a smooth transition. The Student Exchange Office is located in the Office of International School of Engineering (Chula ISE).

Contact persons:

Email: ise_exchange @chula.ac.th
Inbound Exchange Summary 2015-2019

Student Life

Exchange students are given access to the full range of services normally available to foreign students regularly enrolled at the host institution. These include adequate orientation, an appointed qualified academic advisor, and access to library, computer center, and recreational facilities.

Orientation sessions, both at their home institutions and upon arrival at the host institution, cover academic expectations, administrative and logistical details, health and safety issues, and cultural awareness.

Extracurricular Activities for Exchange Students

EXPERIENCE FROM OUR EXCHANGE STUDENTS

The biggest challenge was learning Thai; the most rewarding experience was meeting new people. I would love to have more meetings with Thai students.