News & Events

School of Information and Communication “Short term student exchange program with universities in Thailand”

Nov. 17, 2011

The School of Information and Communication held a short-term student exchange program with Srinakharinwirot University and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL ) in Thailand from September to November, 2011. This marks the second time a student exchange program at the School of Information and Communication was held with overseas universities, following the inter-faculty exchange program with KMITL in September 2010. The program consisted of sending the school’s students to Thailand and receiving students from Thailand at the school.

Sending students to Thailand

This part of the program was held for about one week from September 12 to 18, 2011 at Srinakharinwirot University, and 18 third-year students from the School of Information and Communication participated. The students also undertook preliminary studies in August by means such as lectures about issues including the social situation in Southeast Asian countries, centering on Thailand.

The students participated in lectures at Srinakharinwirot University, toured local companies, and paid a courtesy visit to the Japanese Embassy. This provided an opportunity for the students to deepen their understanding about working in Asia and about a society and culture different from that of Japan.

Receiving students from Thailand

This part of the program was held at the School of Information and Communication for about three weeks from October 17 to November 6, 2011. Four students each from Srinakharinwirot University and KMITL participated, for a total of eight students. The students from the School of Information and Communication who participated in the part of the program where Japanese students were sent to Thailand assisted the Thai students in their learning.

The visiting students deepened their understanding of the Japanese language and culture through participation in lectures at the School of Information and Communication. As part of their classes, the students experienced Ryukyu dance wearing yukata robes, visited companies in Japan, participated in the university festival, and participated in an overnight workshop at the Yamanaka Seminar House.

A completion ceremony was held on November 4 where Harumi Hosono, Dean of the School of Information and Communication, presented the eight Thai students with certificates of completion. The reception following the ceremony was a grand event graced by the presence of notable persons including the Minister from the Royal Thai Embassy in Japan, the Dean and Assistant Dean of the Srinakharinwirot University School of Economics and Public Policy, and a Deputy Chief of Protocol from the Ministry of Foreign affairs, as well as parties involved in the exchange program.

Impressions of students from Japan

Through participation in this program, I came to be aware that to work in countries abroad, Asian countries in particular, it is important to have a deep understanding of that country and to have communication abilities to express one’s thoughts.

After visiting Japanese companies and factories in Thailand, I realized that it is important to promote communication and create an environment that is easy for both parties to work in upon understanding the history, customs, and national characteristics of the other country and the other party’s feelings regarding Japan. I believe that it would be hard to work abroad without respecting the country’s culture and understanding its people.

I received much stimulation from another culture through interaction with Thai students. Through exchanging opinions about each other’s culture and student lifestyles, I came to be more familiar with Thailand.

Impressions of students from Thailand

I was most grateful that my Japanese friends from the School of Information and Communication always helped me in simple Japanese to keep up with lectures. I am not very good at Japanese, so I was glad I could receive help. I was also happy to have made friends with Japanese students in various school years.

At the Ryukyu dance workshop, I wore a yukata, something I may have never done had I not participated in this program. The activities at the Yamanaka Seminar House overnight workshop were very enjoyable. I think it was good to exchange Thai and Japanese culture. My Japanese friends explained many things to me, and I learned many new Japanese words.

The purpose of the exchange program was to learn more about each other, going beyond nationalities. I think this was its most important aspect. I am very thankful to the many teachers and supporter students. I will always cherish the three weeks of this program.