US embassy cable - 05CHIANGMAI241

UNCLAS CHIANG MAI 000241 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR ECA/A/S/A, CA/VO, EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS, OEXC, SCUL, KPAO, OPRC, TH 
SUBJECT: STUDENTS "ASK A CONSUL" DURING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK EX 
 
REF: CHIANG MAI 201 
 
1.  Consulate Chiang Mai invited readers of its weekly "Ask A Consul" newspaper column (reftel) to ask their questions in person at a presentation on the U.S. visa process during International Education Week. 
 
2.  The consular session was part of an all-day EdExpo USA sponsored by the IC-ACE Educational Advising Center at Chiang Mai University on November 18 for over 300 high school students 
and teachers from three northern Thai provinces.    A series of 
activities and competitions gave students the opportunity to practice their English while learning about U.S. education and resources such as the American Corner, the IC-ACE advising center, and Fulbright programs. 
 
3.  Twelve participating schools competed to win "The U.S. 
Consul General's Challenge Trophy" though contests testing their English and knowledge of the U.S.  Students were encouraged to visit the American Corner at Chiang Mai University to research 
their presentations.   In addition to the American Corner visits 
and the visa discussion, students could attend a session on student newspapers with a Consulate officer who has a journalism background and presentations on Fulbright opportunities by the director of the Thai-US Educational Foundation. 
 
4. ConOff's session on "Consular Issues and Updates" drew a full 
room of 40 parents and students.   Students who were still in 
the early stages of planning for U.S. study wanted to know more about the SEVIS program and I-20 forms, while those further along in the process asked what documents they should bring to their visa interview. The session also helped address confusion over Consulate Chiang Mai's consular district and limitations on out-of-district applications.  Several students who live and study in northern Thailand, but whose family and economic ties remain in Bangkok, were relieved to hear that they could apply for visas in Chiang Mai. 
CAMP