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The Thai Language Fund

The Thai Language Fund Image
$12,466
24%
Raised toward our $50,000 Goal
86 Donors
Project has ended
Project ended on October 01, at 11:59 PM PDT
Project Owners

Support Thai Language Instruction at UC Berkeley in 2021-22

Contributions to this fund will ensure Cal students can continue taking advantage of our exceptional instruction in the Thai language. Your donation today will directly support the hiring of two instructors and will enable the department to offer two sections of Intermediate Thai and one section of Advanced Thai. Students who started learning Thai in the 2020-21 academic year can continue their studies without a delay in instruction. The department won't have the funding needed to offer these courses next year without your help.

About Thai Study at UC Berkeley:

  • Thai has a long and distinguished history at UC Berkeley, as the first Southeast Asian language to be taught here, from the early 1940s.
  • There have been 46 PhDs awarded in Thai Studies between 1970 - 2019.
  • Our Thai Language classes feed into the Education Abroad Program in Thailand. This is one of our core Asian EAP programs.
  • Distinguished Emeritus Faculty include:  Ajarn Supatra Chowchuvech, Emeritus Lecturer in Thai, and Dr. Susan Kepner, Emeritus Lecturer in Thai

It is in this environment students experience the thrill of mastering Thai and acquiring tools to delve deeper into many facets of Thailand’s rich culture and history. Thai language instruction plays a critical role for Cal students of Thai heritage. These students acquire a deeper understanding of their identity, develop the ability to connect across generations, and complete their degrees with skills and knowledge to better serve the community.

Cal alum and UC Davis grad student Gina Palefsky discusses how a lesson in Thai at Berkeley helped her find her career.

Please make a gift today and help us spread the word!


Levels
Choose a giving level

$25

สดใส (sod sai) lively

We'll show you some love in the SSEAS Chair's Fall 2021 Newsletter.

$50

แจ่มใส (jam sai) bright

For donations of $50 or more, you'll get an invitation to our next program event.

$100

รุ่งเรือง/(roong ruang)

We'll acknowledge you at one of the Fall Graduate Fellows Program events (also includes all perks at lower levels).

$250

รุ่งโรจน์ (roong roj) glorious

We'll mail you a hand-written thank you card. (Also includes all perks at lower levels).

$500

เบิกบาน (bueak ban) joyful

Phone call with Language Program Director, Penny Edwards + all perks at $100 level and below.

$1,000

สำราญใจ (samran jai) content

Virtual chat and lunch with Department Chair, Faculty Director, and GSI + all perks at $100 level and below

$3,000

ร่มเย็น(rom yen) peaceful

Meet and greet with members of the Thai Studies Program and Thai Studies Advisory Committee at Berkeley. (Also includes all perks at lower levels).

$5,000

เป็นสุข (pen suk) blissful

You'll be invited to have a private lunch with Dean of Arts & Humanities Division.

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