Details

• Thailand
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

The most important thing I didn't know before starting the semester is that the first digit of the course numbers are corresponding with how advanced the course is. For example FN451 is a course taken only by students in year 4, close to graduation. If you want to have it easy, pick courses with lower numbers and no matter what you do, don't pick HR201, as it is excruciatingly bad organised. Also you can pick courses of other faculties, which I would highly recommend doing. For packing I also recommend bringing a jacket or some warm clothes as all rooms have their aircon turned to what feels like -20°C. For public transport, get either the Rabbit card for BTS or the Student card for MRT, depending on where you stay, otherwise you should use Grab to get bike taxis, as buses and cars get stuck in traffic all the time. For SIM I got a card by AIS, they offer convenient packages, but don't get it at the Airport, rather go by Airport train to Ratchaprarop and walk down to Central World and get it there.

2. Accommodation

I stayed at Amarin Mansion, which was a very pleasant stay. While a little on the pricier side, you have access to multiple restaurants, Yimsoo cafe (highly recommend, especially for introverts, cause the staff is deaf and you don't need to talk), 7 eleven, ATM and a bus station (goes directly to campus), although you can walk to university aswell, taking the ferry from Wang Lang, next to Siriraj Hospital. I had a single room without a kitchen and let's face it, you'll never cook anyways, so don't bother with getting one with attached kitchen. The area also feels extremely safe in my opinion, although I am a man, thus take my word with a grain of salt. Everything is illuminated and Bangkok in general never sleeps, so you always have people around. The only place I don't like is near the Pinklao bridge, cause there are a lot of drunk people. Sukhumvit I think is less safe, due to it being a lot more touristy, Yaowarat on the other hand is great, with bustling nightlife! However a disclaimer: some people had trouble with the management at Amarin and they also once miscalculated my bill, so take other opinions aswell.

3. Academic life at host university

Whatever you can think of, University has you covered. I studied at Tha Prachan and they have a very big canteen with lots of different food stalls and outside the uni are even more restaurants, so you'll never get bored. The library has free Netflix, beds, massage chairs, a super cute cat, which you can pet (usually at 7 pm is best), board games to rent and a cafe. Best coffee on campus is at the SPD faculty (Awake & Brew). There is also a free gym, a sports court, a running track and a football field, with every faculty having a football team. Just be mindful of all the events going on, cause nothing is ever advertised, so you need to ask around a lot. In my opinion the courses at Thammasat require more practical skills then the theoretic knowledge at WU and you will spend a lot of time on group projects.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation works great, but doesn't cover every part of the city. In my entire stay I've never once seen BTS or MRT run late. They are however a little pricier then the buses, which can be a good mean of transportation outside of main morning and evening traffic. The most versatile transportation is Grab however, but you should beware, that you have to exact amount of money beforehand, as most drivers tactically don't have change. The vested motorcycle taxis are also a good option, they are more honest in their pricing, but a little more expensive. As for safety, I have experienced Thailand to be extremely safe, but as mentioned earlier, take that with a grain of salt, due to me being a man. I've never had a situation, where I was scared, however some shady alleys and parts of the city should be avoided. For leisure, anything you can think of, you can probably do. Gym, rock climbing, water/themeparks, bar hopping, shopping and paying a visit to the many museums and galleries. Many malls also have a theme, so you can find one that suits you best to spend your time there, if you are bored and in after sunset, you can head out to one of the many night markets.

6. Testimonial

Studying late and need a break? Go pet the library cat! Felt unproductive most of the day but in the evening you get regrets? Go to a night market! Returning home in the middle of the night and craving food? 7 eleven and a street food vendor selling rotis got you covered! Need to escape the city for a while? Take a bus to the some of the most beautiful beaches of the world! I never missed anything during my entire stay and it was never too late to do something as food and drinks are cheap.