Mister Moobs Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 Anyone done this? I've been talking to two different schools. Both claim that their program is Numero Uno. Also, both claim that they can get assist with obtaining Thai Student Visa for up to 3 years. I looked it up and it seems legit. The Thai Embassy says that a letter from an authorized school is needed and you're pretty much in there. I meet all of the other criteria--economic and so forth. Anyone participated in one of these programs? Care to relate your experiences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 I can't speak for the immersion programs but I can discuss the ED visa. I go to a program that is 2 hours 2x a week. Total cost for 1 year's worth of classes was about 28,500. I paid half up-front and half was due on receipt of my ED visa. Supposedly, the up-front half was refundable if I wasn't granted an ED visa. The people at the school walked me through filling out a stack of forms most are the same information over and over again, name, passport number, address in BKK, etc. Typical stuff. I think from time I filled out the forms until they told me I could pick up my approval letter from the Ministry of Education was 3 weeks. I went over to Hong Kong to get the visa in my passport as you must leave the country in order to get the actual visa. The HKG staff were very polite, very organized, and I was in and out in under 20 minutes if you don't count having to go across the street to get copies made (they didn't want originals of some documents - they wanted copies). Cost was 500 HKD. I was told by one lady there who looked to be a senior staff person that if I wanted I could send a messenger to pick up my passport the next day. I didn't have to pick it up personally. That was nice but it wasn't a huge hassle so I went in the next day and was in and out in under 10 min. What you actually get is a single entry visa that is good for 90 days. At the end of 90 days you go to Thai immigration (you don't have to leave the country) and they extend you for another 90 days for something like 1900 baht. Wash, rinse, repeat for up to 1 year. I haven't used my first year up yet but my understanding is that after your ED visa is 1 year old you have to re-apply to the MoE and go out of the country and get a new ED visa. Not really sure how many times you can do that (I have heard up to 3) or if you can start the 3 years over again taking a class at another school or studying something completely different (perhaps Muay Thai - which I've heard you can also get an ED visa to study). Like other single entry visas if you want to leave the country you need to get a re-entry permit which can be done at the BKK airport or at Thai immigration. If I remember correctly the cost is 1000 baht. All in all, I think it's a decent deal. When you total up all the border runs, hotels, etc. it might even be economical though I'm getting a decent understanding of Thai out of the deal which makes it a bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted September 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 thanx ff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakofdawning Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 Not sure if u'd care to do it full time. Faculty of arts at Chulalongkorn university offers Thai Studies, teaching all things thai. Just in case u r interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted September 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 and Rob, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barsie Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I can't speak for the immersion programs but I can discuss the ED visa. I go to a program that is 2 hours 2x a week. Total cost for 1 year's worth of classes was about 28,500. From cost is that at Walen School? If so how are you finding course? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I was at Walen a couple of years ago - it sucked. No teaching as such, just reading from a book. The teachers were Thai girls who could read but knew nothing about grammar etc The class weren't happy and made some suggestions to the school's owner, who got pissed off with us for insulting his system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuskyShandy Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 It's not meant to be a learning procedure with a view to permanent, legitimate employment. It's just way for them to make money and for you to stay. Get over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin_2 Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I had this one annoying farang at my bar who was in this 100% immersion program. Really wanted to punch him with a cue ball in my hand. "Sawat dii khrub khun Rob, sabai dii mai khrub?" "Hey Jon." "Len pool mai khrub khun rob?" "uh...sure dude." ... "khun rob gin cao riang? *CRACK* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuskyShandy Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I had this one annoying farang at my bar who was in this 100% immersion program. Really wanted to punch him with a cue ball in my hand."Sawat dii khrub khun Rob, sabai dii mai khrub?" "Hey Jon." "Len pool mai khrub khun rob?" "uh...sure dude." ... "khun rob gin cao riang? *CRACK* I know him. I twatted him for you mate, don't worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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