Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is a beautiful country with a fascinating history. Home to 67 million people, it’s well-known for its many pristine beaches and resort towns, as well as delicious Thai curries and rice dishes. Here, you will enjoy a vibrant and unique cultural experience. Studying in Thailand is a great opportunity to see Southeast Asia for yourself.
With their friendly smiles and infectious happiness, it is impossible not to like the Thai people. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I was greeted with smiles and open arms.
Hamish, Invercargill
Placements
You can choose to study in Thailand for one semester or one academic year. Gap year students are welcome to apply but must not be older than 18.5 years upon departure. Placements can be anywhere in the country except the southern part of Thailand. On the map below you can see where some of our past students have been placed.
You will be enrolled in a government-approved high school located close to your host family. All of our host families are carefully vetted. We conduct home interviews, inspections, and police checks to ensure our students are placed in a secure and supportive living environment.
Students must be:
Students must apply for a student visa before arriving in the country. The validity of the student’s first visa is three months. After arriving in Thailand, students can apply for an extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau to extend their visa for a period of one year from the date of first entry into Thailand. The host organisation and/or the host family will assist students regarding their visa extension.
Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of Thai (written and oral) prior to departure. You will receive daily language lessons in Thailand, with a minimum of five hours per week at school. Extra language lessons are available at additional cost.
We know that financing your exchange might be a bit of a challenge, but don’t let that hold you back from pursuing the experience of a lifetime! NZIIU offers a select number of scholarships each year to exceptional students who require some financial assistance, as well as fundraising kits.
Explore now »Meet our NZIIU Student Ambassadors at one of our information day events! These students who have recently been on exchange have done it all, and are here to share their knowledge, experiences, and stories from exchange.
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