Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM

This program is a six week long media-themed internship program. Participants will be matched with international media companies for a hands-on experiential learning experience. ieiMedia’s Faculty Director will teach an accompanying media seminar to provide context, support and additional learning to the internship experience.

Bangkok, One of the World’s Most Vibrant Cities

While Bangkok is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, it is also a draw for thousands of expatriates, students and interns who prefer its affordable cost of living, a stable economy, the relative ease of doing business, plus the vibrant culture and warmth of Thai people, and a more laid back lifestyle. Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world. Thailand’s capital Bangkok is often called the ‘City of Angels’ or Krungthep in Thai.
From temples to palaces, all the way over some of Asia’s largest shopping centers and the largest outdoor market of Asia (Chatuchak), aside of the sightseeing and shopping, Bangkok has developed into a magnet for food lovers of all origins with its world-renowned street foods vendors. You will experience Bangkok: the pulsing heart, where skyscrapers sprawl along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, juxtaposed against the grandeur of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace.
The culture in Thailand is a mix of strong Indian influences, Chinese traditions, and elements that are uniquely Thai. With its diverse geography, friendly people, and stunning scenery, the “Land of a Thousand Smiles” is a must-see destination in South East Asia.
Bangkok is a very multicultural city. Its neighborhoods include Little India, Chinatown, Arab Street, and enclaves of Korean and Japanese communities around the city.

Exploration & Adventure at Your Doorstep
Interning in Bangkok means being able to explore nearby picture perfect tropical islands, fascinating ethnic communities and a rich architectural history.
Thailand is home to more than 10% of the world’s animals. There are more than 285 mammal species including elephants, tigers, leopards, Malaysian sun bears, sambars, deer and otters as well as a variety of primate species including gibbons, monkeys and macaques.
Thailand’s nature is immensely and distinctively varied from region to region, from the forested mountains and lush valleys of the north, fertile agricultural areas of the Central Plains, to the beautiful beaches and islands of the south. Thailand’s natural blessings also include an amazing array of fauna and flora, tropical fruits, hardwood, bamboo trees, flowers and much more.

Experience the Future of Work, Tech & the Digital Nomads Paradise
Bangkok ranked 2nd best city worldwide, best in Asia for digital nomads in 2022 by UK research ‘The Instant Group with key factors for flexible nomadic workspaces are affordability, weather, broadband speed, scenery and transport, with Bangkok scoring well in all these categories. Many digital nomads are now making the choice to work remotely, sometimes halfway across the globe. Countries like Thailand, with its tropical sandy beaches, are welcoming them with open arms.
Bangkok is fast becoming an entrepreneurial hub in South-East Asia with numerous innovation centers, co-working space and creative spaces. If you wish to collaborate on startup internship projects with veteran entrepreneurs on potential future business ‘game changers’, Bangkok is the place to be.

AVAILABLE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

● The Grand Palace of Thailand complex established in 1782 is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Thailand. The complex also includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

● Chatuchak Market is the world’s largest weekend market. Visit over 15,000 stalls with items like food, antiques, fashion, and more!

● Night Market Ratchada
With its endless rows of colorful tent stalls, tantalizing street food selections, and energetic bar scene, there’s a little something for everyone at the Ratchada Night Market.

● Street Food Dining
Bangkok is world famous for its street food vendors. No visit to Bangkok is complete without a visit or two or twenty to the multitude of street food vendors. Always keep an eye out for the vendors who have long lines and packed tables - that's the one to head for!

● Bangkok's Buddhist Temples
Temples are everywhere in Bangkok, but some must see temples are Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), Wat Phra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha), and Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha).

● Muay Thai Boxing
Muay Thai, otherwise known as Thai boxing, has a long and violent history as one of Thailand’s biggest sports. Even if you're not into boxing, the fluid and fast movement of the boxers are amazing to watch. You can go to an actual boxing match at one of Bangkok's boxing stadiums or go to a Muay Thai show at Asiatique Bangkok that explains the history through theatre, acrobatics and staged fighting and five real Thai boxing matches.

● Ayutthaya Historical Park
Founded in 1350, Thailand's former capital was the head of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which was one of the most prosperous empires of all time. Today, the collection of the ruins of some 400 plus temples set on an island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi rivers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This requires a bus or train journey from Bangkok, but it is well worth the trip.

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

Students will have weekends available to explore Bangkok on their own or take day trips to other locations within Thailand.

ACADEMIC CREDIT

Students may earn three credits of an upper-division journalism elective for this course. The credits will be issued by the University of Jamestown, and we will work with you so they are easily transferable to your university. Transfer credit ultimately depends on a student's home university. Students who don’t need the credit will get a $450 discount.

HOUSING

Participating students will be housed in convenient residences or condominiums. Participating students will either live in a studio room, or private rooms in shared apartments with other program participants. The residences and condominiums will be safe, clean and equipped with kitchens, laundry facilities, air conditioning and Wi-Fi.

EQUIPMENT

Students should bring their own laptop computers and mobile phones.

STUDENTS

The program is open to English-speaking college students and recent graduates from any school. Students from many universities have participated in past ieiMedia programs, including: American University, Arizona State University, Baylor University, California State University Fullerton, California State University Long Beach, Carleton University, Colorado State University, Georgia College and State University, Georgetown University, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Iowa State University, Ithaca College, James Madison University, Louisiana State University, New York University, Rider University, Rutgers University, Ryerson University, San Diego State University, San Francisco State University, State University of New York at New Paltz, Syracuse University, Temple University, Truman State University, UCLA, University of Arizona, University of British Columbia, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Kennesaw State University, University of Illinois, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Northern Iowa, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Virginia Tech, and Washington and Lee University. We’ve also had students from Japan, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad participate.

Most of our students are journalism, creative writing or communications majors; those majoring in other subjects are welcome as well. Experience working for a college or professional publication is helpful but not required. The program is open to English-speaking students and recent graduates from around the world.

Graduate students are also invited to apply. We’d be happy to talk with you about supervising an independent project that would qualify for graduate credit at your school — or to offer this experience as a graduate internship.

FACULTY

Dr. Penchan Phoborisut teaches digital reporting and communication technologies. Her research examines the visualization of social movements and activism in the digital era, particularly in the networked communication. She examines the visuals forms of political expressions, analyzing the emerging rhetoric, the changing dynamic of the young generation, and the communication of their political life. 

Her recent research projects examine the perpetuation of “foreign bodies” in the cases of Asians and Asian Americans who have been targets of hate incidents in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Her work problematizes the constructed narrative of the Asians, particularly the Asian women, whose bodies are hypersexualized. 

Along with conferences in communication, she was a guest speaker at “New Media, Activism and Social Movements in Asia” at Harvard University in 2015 and Weatherhead’s East Asian Institute at Columbia University in 2016-2019, University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies in 2020, and Johns Hopkins University Press’ SAIS Review of International Affairs 40.2 Issue Launch: The Revolution Will Be Televised in 2021. 

Prior to academia, she was a news reporter and news producer for local and international broadcasters in Thailand and Japan.

PROGRAM COST

The cost is $5995 plus airfare. The price includes tuition (3 credits), housing, local transportation stipend, internship match and placement, seminar instruction, cultural activities and basic travel insurance.

FINANCIAL AID

Students studying abroad for the summer term have limited financial aid options, but Pell grant recipients are encouraged to apply and receive our help in applying for a Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. Check with your school’s financial aid office and your study abroad offices to find out if other assistance is available. More information on financial aid is available here.

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