Students selected for the Student Exchange Program will receive financial support through partial or full tuition waivers from the destinated countries, enabling them to live as exchange students abroad for one academic year. During this period, they will serve as cultural ambassadors for Thailand – refining their English language proficiency, expanding their academic horizons, and adapting to diverse social, cultural, and interpersonal environments. Additionally, the foundation has been entrusted by educational exchange organizations in countries such as New Zealand, Canada, and others, to implement similar initiatives.

Program Details

The Student Exchange Program is recognized by Thailand’s Ministry of Education and is regarded as a beneficial initiative that helps students develop their personal development, broaden their worldviews, and enhance their educational experiences. This program collaborates between EduDee – an officially appointed organization and non-profit and education organizations abroad, focusing on cultural exchange through direct immersion with native speakers.

The EduDee International Student Exchange Program provides an opportunity for Thai students nationwide to apply for selection. Eligible applicants must be full-time students in secondary school or equivalent. Selected students will receive a scholarship in the form of partial or full tuition waivers. Exchange students will study at a secondary school in the host country, live with a local host family, and engage in the exchange for one academic year. During this time, they will develop their language skills by directly interacting with native speakers and learning through life with others, expanding their worldview and understanding different perspectives. The program is supervised by exchange organizations, under the oversight of the relevant government agencies of the destination country.

This program is supported by the Thai government through the Ministry of Education and involves a government-approved exchange scholarship, which includes exemptions from some or all tuition fees and provides benefits similar to those of domestic students. This partial scholarship is available once and cannot be applied again in subsequent years.

Study Abroad Opportunities

• 1-year academic exchange program.
• Operates under the supervision of the destination country’s government and exchange/educational organizations.
• The program team selects appropriate host families, schools, cities, and states for students.
• Exchange students will learn about the culture, adapt to living with foreign nationals, and practice academic and general English with native speakers.
• Local host families will be carefully selected based on their interest in cultural exchange.
• Upon completion of the program, students can return to the Thai education system as per the Ministry of Education’s guidelines.

Benefits for Program Participants

CSIET has emphasized that the Student Exchange Program helps students learn about cultural differences, build mental resilience, and foster moral values, preparing them for the challenges of the 21st century. This is essential for schools to equip their students for the global challenges they will face.

Teachers who have exchange students in their classrooms find that these students make learning more engaging and provide new perspectives that enhance the local students’ education. In turn, exchange students grow and develop their critical thinking skills, gaining insights beyond their previous experiences.

Key Benefits Include:

• Enhanced communication skills, becoming more fluent and effective.
• Improved problem-solving abilities.
• Expanded worldview, fostering awareness of different lifestyles and cultural beliefs.
• Increased self-awareness and the ability to find one’s true identity.
• Enhanced ability to work and coexist with others.
• Strengthened critical thinking skills.

CSIET Board of Directors, July 2011