Living in Chiang Mai

 April 9, 2026

Good Morning from Chiang Mai. 

I thought that I would share with you my living arrangements while I am here.  Per the requirements of the US Fulbright Specialist Program, the university is required to provide me housing or currency to pay for housing.  I declined that benefit.  The university has a dorm for international students and for international visitors.  They provide a small apartment with a bedroom (king-sized bed), private bath, and a kitchen- desk- living room area. I am in no means being critical of this option and if I were to be here for just a week, I would probably accept it.  Again, I am not being critical, but it is a white box.  No color, no artwork, nothing to feed the eyes or soul. So, I made the decision to pay for my own housing. When I go abroad, I go all in. I wish to truly live where I am at. 

Here are a couple of snaps of the dorm apartment. 

 

Now, Fulbright also requires that the university provides me with airport pick up/ drop off and daily transportation.  Since I've elected to live off campus (self-funded), transportation is provided only for to/ from campus daily and not transportation for personal activities.  That is fine.  I accept it. Grab (think Uber) runs me $6 r/t to almost anywhere in the city. 

I am here for 29 days and I selected The Grand Wipanan Residence.  While some people use this establishment as a hotel, it is also quite nice as a service apartment.  I have daily housekeeping, access to a modest gym, and a very nice pool. Plus, there is security. The cost?  $55/ day. Fulbright gives me a daily stipend and the university gave me $31.50 x 29 days in Thai Baht for my food allowance.  That is plenty as most days I spend a max of $20, including Grab. 

The cafe is open for b'fast and lunch.  I've had both there but I prefer to make my own b'fast. For lunch- chicken fried rice is $2.00 and curry is $2.50.  Quite the bargain.  I take the leftover rice to my apartment and use it for bfast the next day sometimes. The picture is of my bfast this morning: pour over drip Thai coffee, fried egg, bacon and fried rice. Most days, I have yogurt and granola for bfast. 

I suppose the only disappointment is my balcony.  It faces the wall of a building and the HVAC unit blows hot air into the small space making it unusable.  But light from the sliding glass door brightens the apartment. 

 

 

  The bedroom has two glass walls and a sliding pocket door.  It has Roman shades so that I can pull them down to block out the light that I leave on in the kitchen.  It has plenty of drawer space and a make up desk/ stool.   My kitchen has a 2 unit cook top, microwave and frig. Very basic cooking supplies (1 pot and 1 pan & 2 cooking utensils) and enough cutlery/ dishes for two. Making it all good there. 

I have my lap top and a portable 2nd screen so my "home office" is fine for working from home. 

Like the colors and everything is quite comfortable. 

So, there's a little tour of my home for until May 3rd, when I fly to Hanoi, Vietnam for a 2-week project. I learned a long time ago that- for me- when working abroad, I need to be able to get clean, sleep well, and "nest". I am ever so much more productive. 

Take care.  Hope you keep reading and I look forward to hearing from you.

Stepping Off the Sidewalk... Into New Adventures,

 Karen 

Disclaimer: The content of my writing strictly represents my personal views and not those of the University of Florida, the U.S. government, the Department of State, or partner organizations.