Program Costs

It's important to note at the outset that this is a non-profit educational experience, so 100% of these funds is used for the itinerary; any money that looks like it will be left over will be used for the students during the tour--to buy an unscheduled group meal, for example, or to purchase an excursion not on the itinerary, and so on. In the past, I have consistently carved the budget to give the student the best possible experience in Thailand at the lowest price, and the Thailand Study Tour is historically the least expensive study tour at St. Mary's.

The price for the 3 week study tour (including most of a day of travel on each end) will be between $3,800 and $3,975, (excluding tuition) and depends on three factors: the number of students (the more students the less overall cost), the airfare we are able to get, and the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Thai Bhat. The first payment due is $1000 on February 1st, after which we'll know the exact cost of the trip. 

Additionally, each participant must pay St. Mary’s College of Maryland for four credit-hours of tuition just as if the student were taking a summer course of four credit-hours here on campus. The price for tuition & fees for four credit-hours for this summer will be $1394 for in-state tuition and $1994 for those paying out-of-state tuition.  

The fee is payable to the Business Office of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (specify that it’s for the Thailand Study Tour) in three installments:

• $1200 due on February 1, 2024

• $1500 due on March 1, 2024

• $1275 due on April 10, 2024 

Student payments are handled in the Business Office (240-895-4315).  The College does not accept credit cards for payment of tuition or study tour charges in-house. Payments with Mastercard, Discover, American Express or Diners Club can be done online via CASHNet.  Checks should be made payable to: SMCM and must include student’s ID# and name of study tour in memo section.  Address for payments: St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Attn:  Business Office Cashier, 18952 E. Fisher Rd., St. Mary’s City, MD  20686-3001. Students may use any existing credit on their student account to pay the Study Tour by submitting the request in writing to the Business Office at studentaccts@smcm.edu. For those paying by check, please note on the check that it’s for “Thailand Study Tour,” so that, for current SMCM students, it’s not just dumped into your general account. 

The price includes:

• 3 pre-departure meetings on campus beginning in late-March to discuss Thai culture, Buddhism, and country orientation.

• Round-trip airfare between Washington DC (BWI or Dulles) and Bangkok, Thailand

• All ground transportation, including overnight trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, vans to Nakhom Pathom, Chiang Dao, and Chian Rai, and all taxi, "tuk-tuk" and "song-tao" travel that take place for the purpose of the class.

• Boat service up the the Mekhong River and round trip from to the island of Ko Samet. 

• Lodging 

• Group meals 

• Travel Health Insurance

• Admission fees to all sites and museums

•  Stipends and honoraria for lectures and workshops given by Thai professors, activists, and Buddhist monks.  

• Gratuities for bus drivers and guides

Cancellation Policy and Refunds

Full refund for canceling any time prior to the purchase of the airline ticket, probably early April. Professor Schroeder will contact students prior to purchasing the airline ticket letting them know the purchase date. 

Cancellations after the purchase of the airline ticket will be refunded a travel voucher in the amount of the airline ticket from the issuing airline, consistent with the policy of that airline (often minus an approximately $200 re-ticketing fee). 

Refund of all remaining program fees are as follows: 

• Cancellation prior to May 01: return of all money paid except airline tickets–see preceding paragraph)

• Cancellation on or after May 01: no refund of money (just the airline’s travel voucher)