WRITER: DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL EDUCATION
In the past weekend on Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, 1 September 2024, the active participation of 309 international AU students enrolled in the course GE 1405/1409 Thai Language and Culture this semester 1/2024 was not just integral but the driving force behind the success of our field trip to Nakhon Pathom, the first city influenced by the heritage and civilization of India and Buddhism. Your active involvement, along with Dr. Jaruwan Paungmalee as the instructor and another ten TAs who were crucial in guiding and assisting you, was the cornerstone of our enriching experience. We sincerely appreciate your contributions, which ensured a smooth and rewarding trip for all of us. Your active participation was not just noticed but deeply appreciated.
Every academic year, Dr. Jaruwan Paungmalee, the dedicated course coordinator of GE 1405 /1409 Thai Language and Culture, reflects on her intensive experiences with her students on field trips. Her unwavering commitment to our learning and growth and her reaffirmation of the objective of this learning experience outcomes to the Department of General Education instill confidence in our continued growth and development.
She said one of the objectives of this course is to encourage our international students to learn more about the Thai Language and Culture through the integration of the Three Pillars of Thai Royal Institutions: Nation-Religion-King. This integration involves immersing themselves through their five senses of experience in their site visit to Home/Community (Ban), Temple (Wat), and Thai Royal Palace (Wang). The 'Three Pillars' refer to the key elements that form the foundation of Thai society and culture. The Nation pillar represents the unity and identity of the Thai people, the Religion pillar symbolizes the spiritual beliefs and practices, and the King pillar signifies the leadership and guidance of the monarchy. Understanding these pillars is crucial to a comprehensive knowledge of Thailand's heritage and civilization.
She continued by saying that many students from her classes were happy and had much fun during their trip. They were extensively equipped with knowledge and culture, and some even expressed their fondness for Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Ratchaworamahawihan, built during King Rama IV's reign. It also enshrines the Buddha’s relics and houses the largest pagoda in Thailand. Furthermore, the royal relics of King Rama VI are enshrined at the pagoda's base. The students gained a deeper understanding of Thai history, culture, and art and greatly appreciated the country's rich heritage.
Another Must-Visit Place is Woodland, a fantastic museum with incredible collections of wood-craving pieces. Our Students were amazed at the splendid, beautiful woodcraft masterpieces about nature, religions, and myths. This museum's unique collection provides a fascinating insight into the diverse artistic and cultural heritage. They recommended this place, which you must see once. It was not far from Bangkok, and it was genuinely worth it.
The most enjoyable site visit was to the Don Wai Floating Market, where they could buy food sold by local vendors on boats and shop for other souvenirs from many well-known suppliers along the site. It was an incredibly fantastic experience for them to try and taste a variety of Thai Traditional Cuisine at a reasonable price and see many new creative products they had never seen before. It was unique and memorable for them, they said.
Lastly, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our Tour Guides for their professionalism in providing valuable assistance and information about historical, traditional, and cultural backgrounds during the trip. We also profoundly thank the AU executive committees. Your unwavering support of our continued growth and development has been integral to its success, and we greatly appreciate your commitment to excel in our academic quality standard assurance.
But most importantly, we want to express our deepest gratitude to you, our students, for your active participation and invaluable contributions to this trip. This unique opportunity was not just a trip but a transformative and hands-on learning experience that immersed our students in the rich, Thai-valuing culture. You were not passive observers but active participants who engaged and learned through our well-thought-out extracurricular activity. Your enthusiasm and dedication were not just noticed but were the driving force behind our learning. We are truly grateful for your active participation, which was not just a key but the very essence of the success of this Thai Cultural Trip.
However, your feedback will influence the places we visit in the future and shape the essence of our field trips. Your input is crucial in ensuring our future trips are as enriching as this one. We eagerly look forward to hearing your suggestions and value your thoughts immensely. We hope you will be pleased with our plans and look forward to seeing you on the next field trip for the upcoming semester, 2/2024!
More Information about the Theodore Maria School of Arts, please visit:
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