The School of Political Science and Economics conducted the Summer Short-term Study Program in Thailand from August 1 to August 23, 2024, with 13 students from first to fourth grade, including those from other departments, having participated.
This program, based in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, aims to foster global human resources through interactions with universities in partnership with the School of Political Science and Economics and faculties. After participating in this program in academic year 2023, several students took on the challenge of long-term study abroad in 2024, making this program an effective preparation for long-term study abroad.
Based at Meiji University ASEAN Center, the students attended special lectures in English on Thailand’s politics, economy, society, culture, and relations with the international community for about three weeks at the campuses of Srinakharinwirot University, Thammasat University, and Chulalongkorn University. They also visited the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, JETRO Bangkok Office, Bangkok National Museum, and Ayutthaya Ruins, and interacted with Meiji University alumni belonging to the Royal Thai Shikokai.
Each lecturer provided creative lessons, such as Thai Culture classes where the participating students could experience playing traditional instruments, and Thai Economy classes where they could engage in practical activities related to shopping to understand the basics of economics. As the program progressed, they became more proactive in asking questions and expressing their own ideas.
In addition, they actively interacted with local students, teaching each other about their languages and cultures, and spending their holidays and free time together, and deepened their friendship. On the final day, the students, who were divided into small groups to select a theme based on the content of the program. Along the theme, they summarized the learning they gained from the special lectures and interactions with local students in presentations given in English.
The participants gave us comments such as “I learned how difficult it is to learn economics in English while enjoying practical classes,” “I made several friends with whom I keep in touch even after returning to my home country and those with whom I went out for dinner many times. These became memories that will last a lifetime,” and “During our visit to the Japanese embassy in Thailand, I was very interested in the talk given by the ambassador, who talked about Japan from the perspective of being in Thailand.”
