I would like to share my story of studying at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) in Bangkok, Thailand.
The experience of studying at KMUTT is unique and different from the system I knew. Here, we have multiple teachers, specifically two head teachers, called "Ajahn," and one assistant or assistant teacher. For the subjects I chose at the beginning, physical presence is required. All lessons are available online through various apps and are recorded. Recordings are stored throughout the semester on platforms such as Teams, Google Drive, and leb2. Absences are permitted only with prior excuse.
Assignments are turned in during class, and an additional hour is provided for editing documents. All assignments are turned in electronically, and it is a good idea to bring a tablet with a pencil; it saves a lot of work. Some assignments are difficult, while others are less challenging. There are also assignments with a due date on the app (see Teams). I have written down a few subjects such as PE, measuring components, systematic work, properties of components, and Python programming.
Tests are common and are usually written 3-4 times per semester. They are manageable with adequate preparation. There are also two weeks when it is not necessary to attend school, referred to as exam weeks. During this period, you write your exams or take them early and then have a day off. If you have no classes during this period, you have the option to travel.
The local study department provides a good communication channel and support if needed. It is dedicated to continuously monitoring students and identifying their needs. Local students are helpful and appreciate the presence of international students.
I also have experience with extending a tourist visa and obtaining a study visa, where it turned out that you can solve otherwise complicated administrative matters with a bit of effort. Fortunately, the school provides support in case of problems.
And what is my experience with other day-to-day matters? I had a bit of trouble finding accommodation at the beginning, especially when communicating with local recommended hostels from the school. However, I managed to find a Czech who gave me helpful advice and tips on accommodation search portals. I recommend accommodation with a pool - it's hot here even in the rainy season.
Eating is absolutely no problem, as street food stalls are everywhere and it is quite common to eat "on the street". There are many places on campus and in the surrounding area with affordable food from 60 to 300 THB.
The local people are friendly and willing to help. The service is top-notch, and the bars and other places take care of tourists and try to make them feel welcome.
The language barrier is not a significant problem here. The exception is the school, where everyone speaks excellent English. At the offices and in everyday life, locals may speak limited English. However, many Thais do not speak English at all, and communication with them is more by gestures and attempts to understand each other with "hands and feet".
Overall, I would evaluate the difficulty of studying and the overall foreign stay so that with a good knowledge of English is not a problem studying or living in Thailand. There is plenty of time for fun not only in Bangkok. I devoted my free time mainly to traveling around Thailand. Visiting places like Pattaya, Phuket, and other interesting destinations you can find on TripAdvisor are experience of a lifetime.
I highly recommend a foreign trip, especially outside of Europe, to everyone!
