The BF goes to University

[Guest pete1969]

Well, today my BF registered for classes for his MBA. He is attending Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai. It is about 15 minutes drive from his home. I visited the campus with him several times when I stayed at his home, and it is very nice. The University conducts all their coursework in English, so it should sharpen my BF's already very good English skills.

 

One of the great things is that he gave me his student ID number, and I am able to access his University account online. I can see the classes he is attending, if he has paid, if he withdraws, and his final grades. It makes it very easy for me to make sure he is on the up and up with his studies.

 

He is 25 in January, and he tells me he will probably be the youngest person in his classes as this MBA program is geared for working adults. He is very anxious to present a very serious and professional demeanor for his classmates and professors. This might be difficult as he is very small and looks younger than he is, and he is a born talker and cutup. I would love to be a fly on the wall. I guess since he made it through to get his undergrad degree, then he will be okay.

 

I am funding the total cost of the program. It is only about $3,000 US for the entire two year program but this does not include uniforms, books, tutoring, special lectures, or other asundry fees. It will be interesting to see if any odd fees pop up over the next two years. My BF has been honest and upfront with me thus far regarding money, so my hope is that he stays that way regarding the Uni expenses.

 

I've read many posts over the years warning against Uni students for BFs, but have rarely read any practical posts from anyone whose BF was actually attending University. I know I'd rather pay for a guy to get a Master's degree than for a sick mother or pregnant sister or new motorbike or many of the other ways we farang get stung for money. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is a good thing for the BF and I. I can say it is fun for me to be a part of his excitement over going back to school.

 

Pete

 

[Bob]

Join the club, Pete, mine is at Payap here in Chiangmai (one more year to go....or at least I hope...).

I do not have the student ID however and I would only probably lose a leg or two if I asked for it (but I don't worry as I get the news about the grades, etc.).

 

I stopped by that campus once and it is very nice. And I'm absolutely amazed at the cost (seems a bit low to me but I'll defer to you as I didn't inquire there).

 

Once or twice a year, I do furnish occasional funds for some extraordinary expenses but am thankful he works part-time and covers most of that himself. I presume your guy must be doing the same to cover all the usual expenses other than tuition.

 

What I've found over the years (I've sponsored one other friend through the University of Khon Kaen) is that 99+ of the other students are from rather well-to-do thai families and it's difficult for the few poor kids (even ones sponsored by falang) to keep up with the others "face-wise." By keeping up, I mean having the appropriate clothing, mobile telephone, ability to pay for class trips/excursions, etc. Both of my friends have struggled through that issue a couple of times in the past but have come through it okay (sometimes with a little financial assistance from me).

 

Best wishes to your friend. I keep telling mine that I can't wait for him to finish so he can obtain a great job and then start supporting yours truly. (I only joke .....although that line is always good for a retort of "falang ba!).

[Guest Snowkat]

 

I am funding the total cost of the program. It is only about $3,000 US for the entire two year program but this does not include uniforms, books, tutoring, special lectures, or other asundry fees.......................

I know I'd rather pay for a guy to get a Master's degree than for a sick mother or pregnant sister or new motorbike or many of the other ways we farang get stung for money.

Pete

 

Good on you Pete! I totally agree that is better to fund some worthwhile project rather than pay out for dubious claims about sick relatives and buffalo. My b/f is not intending to go to uni but instead I have bought him a comprehensive health insurance and his 3rd party motorbike premium. I also pay his monthly room rent for 12 months at a time.

 

I hope it all goes well and that your b/f can keep you in the manner to which you are accustomed once he graduates and gets a good job

 

[Guest pete1969]

Bob, the total cost is 150,000 baht (paid in four installments). I think my conversion math was a little sloppy on my post above. However, I still think it is a great deal for such a nice Uni.

 

My BF and I have actually discussed the "face" aspect. TIT, so face is more important than almost anything else. That is where my worry about the extras comes into play. He does own a noodle shop/restaurant with his mother and makes 12K-15K baht per month with that, so he will be able to cover some of the basic stuff himself.

 

My hope is that even if we are not BFs in the future that he will still use his MBA to help me with my own future business ventures in Thailand. So, I do see funding his education as somewhat of an investment for me as well (not that I wouldn't have funded his education regardless). Time will tell, I guess.

 

Pete

[Bob]

If he's already got a place to stay and has access to 4-5 thousand baht a month, I think he'll do just fine, Pete. He maybe won't have the latest mobile phone with all the bells and whistles but he really doesn't need all of that (yea, yea, explain that to 80% of the kids in Thailand!! hehe).

 

I'm used to tuition at Khon Kaen University, Burapa (Chon Buri), and Payap in Chiangmai ranging from 35,000 baht per semester up to 85,000 baht per semester. For the kind of program you're describing, we both know (given the usual $15,000.00 to $25,000 cost per year in the states) that a 2-year program which costs under $6,000.00 is an unbelievable bargain.

 

What thrills me the most about watching a poor kid do that is the drive he has to better himself. Not for every kid but it sure is nice to see it happen occasionally (and it's too damn bad that most of the kids never have the opportunity).

[Guest gonefishing]

I keep telling mine that I can't wait for him to finish so he can obtain a great job and then start supporting yours truly. (I only joke .....although that line is always good for a retort of "falang ba!).

 

The retort is probably more true than you think; although it is pretty well impossible to get anything but a manual job in Thailand without a formal education (to work in a supermarket, such as Lotus or Big C in any capacity other than as a cleaner you need a minimum of a high school diploma, while most "office" jobs, check-in staff at the airport, etc, require at least a BA), the chances of him getting well paid employment without any contacts are somewhere between slim and anorexic! Pete's b/f's salary with the MBA will probably be no better than the 12-15k per month he makes from the noodle shop now (after all, this is a bank manager's salary here)- but he will certainly get a lot more "face"!