Prince of Songkla University (PSU) - Phuket, Thailand Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism & Faculty of International Studies
	"After spending three months in Phuket I have to admit that going on exchange really has been the best experience of my life. The exchange has enriched my studies, because it developed my abilities of studying in a multi-cultural environment and expanded my knowledge of Asian economy, business life and culture." Asia Exchange student in Phuket, 2009

An unforgettable way of combining university studies and Thailand’s exotic environment

The application period for the 2011 semesters will be launched soon!

Study Program

The PSU study program has been very popular and received much praise. The study programs last approximately 3 months and they are arranged twice a year (spring and autumn semesters). The autumn semester begins in September and ends in December. The spring semester lasts from March to May.

The study programs are held in English and Prince of Songkla University is responsible for the teaching and the transcripts of records. The courses and lecturers are of high quality.

 (The autumn 2010 semester is being arranget from Sep 27th to Dec 17th.)

There are 10 courses available, all in English language.
You can choose 4 of the following courses:

One completed course is worth 3 credits, which is most often converted to 5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) study credits.
Read more under study credits.

The aim of the program is to acquaint students with international trade, international cooperation and tourism with a strong focus on Asia. Students also learn Thai language.

The majority of students who go on exchange via AE are from Nordic countries, but students from other Western countries are also eligible to apply. In addition, local students take part in the same courses as exchange students.

In Asia and Thailand the semesters take place at different times than in Western countries. The first semester lasts from June to October and the second semester from November to March. However, the study programs in Phuket are arranged according to Western semester timetables and the programs are not held over Christmas or during the summer months. The study program in the spring semester is mainly held during Thailand’s summer vacation months.

Who are the study programs intended for?

The study abroad program in Phuket is especially suitable for students who want to get to know Thailand and Asia from a world-famous paradise island. The students who participate in the programs want to combine academic studies, free time activities and unforgettable experiences, which will all benefit their future.

The aim of the program is to broaden students’ knowledge of Asia in an international and inspiring environment, not forgetting the importance of the experience as a whole. In addition to studying, students have time for hobbies and traveling. Students who have taken part in the program have praised the extremely beautiful marine environment, the friendly and international atmosphere, the inexpensive prices at the location and numerous free time activities.

The program is suitable for anyone interested in Asia who doesn’t want to settle for traditional exchange options. The courses are interesting and they are held by lecturers with international experience. The exchange students have been highly satisfied with the lectures and visiting children in a village which was damaged by a tsunami has been one of the most memorable moments for all the students. Most students who take part in the study programs are students of business, technology, art, social sciences, political science and tourism. There are also students from other fields of study who take interesting minor studies in an international environment.

Students appreciate the overall experience of the study program. You can ask your home institution about the possibilities for transferring credits. A study abroad period is a great asset when competing for jobs after graduating. 

 Program Fee

The price of the study abroad program is 1490 € (including VAT) which includes the application fee, tuition fee and course material. AE has negotiated group discounted tuition fees with its partner universities. Most often the tuition fees at Asian universities are more expensive for free movers finding a study place on their own. Unlike other free movers, non-native speakers of English going via AE are not required to take a TOEFL English language proficiency test which costs 185 $.

Application Procedure

Applying for AE exchange programs is easy and you’ll receive an initial letter of acceptance within a week of sending in your application. You can start to make travel arrangements after receiving your initial acceptance letter.

Fill out an application form online and upload the required documents at:
https://fs12.formsite.com/asiaexchange/AE_application_form_PSU/secure_index.html 

Required documents:
1) An official Transcript of Records in English (stamped by your home institution) or, if you are not currently enrolled at an institution of higher education, a copy of your high school diploma (or similar document).
2) A copy of the identification page of your passport (please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months after arriving in Thailand).
3) A copy of a passport-sized photo

Please name your documents as follows before uploading them onto your application: "firstname_lastname_transcripts.pdf", "firstname_lastname_passport.pdf" and "firstname_lastname_picture.pdf". Please try to upload the required documents in JPG or PDF format.

Please enter your permanent mailing address in the application, so that you will be sure to receive the official acceptance letter before the start of the study program and the transcript of records after it ends.

The minimum requirements are 18 years of age, completed upper secondary school (e.g. high school) and sufficient language proficiency to understand lectures given in English.

The applications are handled in the order they are received. After receiving your initial letter of acceptance within a week of sending in your application you can make a study plan to present to your possible home institution and apply for scholarships. Your possible home institution is responsible for making the decisions about transferring credits and granting scholarships. We will also send you an invoice for the application fee (50 €) with your initial acceptance letter. The final invoice for the program fee (1440 €) will be sent at least 45 days prior to the start of the study program. If needed, you can cancel your participation by e-mail in accordance with the terms and conditions.

You can apply for a visa after receiving the official acceptance letter from Prince of Songkla University approximately one month before the start of the study program. Acquiring a visa takes about four days, depending on the country it is being issued in. You can find instructions for applying for a visa on our website under: Instructions → Visa.

We recommend booking your flights and traveling to your destination well in advance before the start of the study program. More information on our website under: Instructions → Traveling

We expect you to read through the Asia Exchange Ltd terms and conditions.

Accommodation

The students are responsible for making accommodation arrangements on their own. AE offers advice on some of the more popular options at each location. Phuket offers numerous choices for accommodation both near the campus area and e.g. in Phuket Town or Patong Beach.

Baan Maksong If you’re looking for quality accommodation at an affordable price, Baan Maksong is a worthwhile option. It is located next to the campus. Photos and more information at: www.baanmaksong.com. Baan Maksong offers exceptionally stylish and uniquely ”Bali-like” accommodation and it has been the choice of many AE students. Baan Maksong offers students discount prices, which are 150 – 200 €/person/month depending on the size of the apartment and the number of occupants. The apartments range in size from 40 – 60 m² and typically accommodate two people. Baan Maksong also offers short-term accommodation. The reception is open 24 hours a day. The students have access to a swimming pool, sauna and spa treatments. Cleaning services and electricity are included in the rent. Electricity is most often not included in the rent and costs 20 – 80 € a month, depending on air-conditioner usage. There are usually 20 – 30 apartments available at the beginning of the study program. You can sign a rental agreement after arriving in Phuket.

Another popular option among exchange students is Delight Village, which is also located near PSU. Usually larger groups of friends stay at Delight Village. Another option is Baan Panyah, which is situated within a kilometer of the campus. It is an apartment house which has been praised by students thanks to its affordable prices, friendly staff and flexibility. Baan Panyah is affordable even for students living alone, because the monthly rent is 160 – 220 € depending on the amenities. Each room has a king size bed and the necessary furniture.

PSU also offers on-campus housing (dorm rooms and the campus hotel). The room sizes range from 20 – 25 m² and include two beds. The price is approximately 130 €/month in the dorm and twice as much at the campus hotel. When staying on campus for less than a month, the daily rate is higher. On-campus housing is not very popular among exchange students.

In Asian cultures it is common to do business face-to-face. Making arrangements for accommodation in advance by email or phone may prove difficult. This is not something worth worrying about, because it’s easy to take care of housing arrangements after arriving at the location. This is also when the details of the rental agreement and the final price are agreed on. When signing the rental agreement remember to make arrangements about paying for incomplete months. You can also decide whether you would like one king size bed or two twin size beds and other details.

AE recommends staying at a hotel or hostel for the first few nights after arriving at your destination. It will give you a chance to settle in and find suitable accommodation. You can reserve hotel and hostel accommodation through your local travel agency or the internet.

Before the start of the study program, AE will send each student an orientation guide with more detailed information about accommodation options.

More information

We have tried our best to include all the relevant information you will need about the study programs and practical arrangements on our website.
These include:

- FAQ
- Why go on exchange?
- General info about study programs represented by AE
- Information about Phuket
- Traveling
- Passport and visa
- Exchange student’s checklist

After the application period ends, AE will send an orientation guide to outgoing exchange students which includes information about studying, accommodation, traveling, health care and free time activities as well as money and cell phone subscriptions. An orientation will also be organized for the students.

If you can’t find the information you require on our website, or if you wish to contact AE directly, please send us a message with the feedback form.