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 a day of travel on each end) will be between $6400 and $6600, (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 Baht.  The first payment due is $1500 on February 1st, after which we'll know the exact cost of the trip. 

Financial Assistance from SMCM is available from two sources: 

1. The College budgets about $100K annually for need-based grants for SMCM students studying abroad. There is no application process for this, for each applicant is automatically considered through their FAFSA form on file. Awards are based on:

   • the cost of the program (the Office of International Education has this) and

   • the FAFSA (the Office of Financial Aid has this), and the number of applicants qualifying for aid that year. These grants can be substantial – more than $1000 per person. 

2. The OIE has a much smaller fund of merit-based scholarships for which all SMCM students are automatically considered by the OIE. (14 of the 16 students in 2026 received one of these, ranging from $350-$650.)

Request an appointment with the Office of International Education to discuss details

Students are notified of their aid at the time of their acceptance into the program. Therefore, in advance of when the first payment is due. Students who are accepted but do not receive enough aid to make their trip financially feasible for them may therefore cancel their participation without any financial penalty.

Payments & Tuition

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 $1660 for in-state tuition and $2180 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:

• $1500 due on February 1, 2027

• $2500 due on March 1, 2027

• $2600 due on April 10, 2027 (possibly lower depending exchange rate, airfare, & number of particpants)

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)