UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS FROM ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AT CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY (CMU)
Updated : 2019/08/05
What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of Chiang Mai? A land situated somewhere in northern Thai Land, Loi Krathong (Sky lantern festival), Songkran (Water festival) or temples? Do you know that Chiang Mai is also home to the third largest University in Thailand called Chiang Mai University (CMU)? This is the only University in Thailand’s top 3 largest Universities located outside of Bangkok, which gives people in Chiang Mai a huge sense of pride.
In nearly a month from the end of March to the end of April this year, students from High-Quality Classes of English Department were very fortunate to have opportunities to visit, study and serve their internships in this prestigious educational institution. Our students were immensely excited to be the very first student group from the University of Da Nang to serve an internship at Chiang Mai University (CMU)
Dr. Pichayalak, Associate Dean of Chiang Mai University International College of Digital Innovation, on behalf of the university, receiving a souvenir from the whole group of interns and Ms. Vu Thi Chau Sa
It was the first time for many students to go overseas, visit an international university environment and also become cultural ambassadors for Vietnamese culture in a foreign country. Áo dài (Vietnamese national garment) and Nón lá (Conical leaf hat) were chosen by the students as their uniform in the official reception at the University. Receiving a lot of sweet compliments and admiration from Thai people, a female student exclaimed: “Oh, only when we are abroad, did we truly feel proud to be in áo dài”. This was when the garment which is usually regarded as inconvenient and uncomfortable unexpectedly becomes the pride and part of our identity. It is similar to what is commonly agreed that only when we left our motherland, did we truly feel stronger national identity.
The program lasted for over a month with a series of fascinating activities provided numerous opportunities for the students to learn and progress. Within the scope of the program, the students had chances to attend Thai Language classes, discover Thai culture and business characteristics. They could also get to learn about the operation system of Chiang Mai University, including the 14 square kilometers wide campus, student support services, enormous library system, Lanna folklike museum and transport system within the campus. Our students were particularly impressed with the tradition of trekking the winding 11km path from the University campus in the city’s foothills to the summit of Doi Suthep in the welcome ceremony for new undergraduate students of CMU.
The whole group of interns on Chiang Mai University campus
Photo session with Thai teachers at Chiang Mai University Library
Orientation at Chiang Mai University Library
Thai Language class with teacher from the Faculty of Social Sciences, CMU
Besides, the students also took this opportunity to demonstrate their abilities through planning and delivering lessons on Vietnamese culture and cuisine for international students. In addition to participating in various activities, every day each student had to finish individual assignment and work on a group project at the end of the program. The students’ teamwork skills were sharpened thoroughly in exchange activities with Thai and international students and meaningful social activities like visiting the elderly at a nursing home in Chiang Mai.
Vietnamese Language class for Thai and international students
Cooking class
Visit to the famous Doi Suthep temple
Throughout their stay at Chiang Mai University, the group of interns always received the most dedicated guidance from 2 academic staffs at CMU who were Ms. Eeve and Mr. Add. On the day of arrival in Chiang Mai, although it was extremely hot in the middle of the afternoon and the flight was delayed by an hour, Ms. Eeve and Mr. Add still were waiting patiently and welcomed the whole group with a broad grin. The group also received the uttermost care from Ms. Pichayalak, Associate Dean of Chiang Mai University International College of Digital Innovation. She was the person who was directly in charge of the group, provided them with basic information about CMU on their very first day at Chiang Mai University as well as joined the group in the welcoming dinner.
Aside from the main program at the University, it is impossible not to mention the well-known water festival taking place annually here. Chiang Mai is one of the two most ideal destinations to experience Songkran water festival of Thai people. The students of the English Department were very fortunate to have their internship coinciding with this important cultural event. They were sure to have memorable experiences here.
Cultural exchange event with other international students at Chiang Mai University during Songkran festival
The whole group at the main entrance to Chiang Mai University
This was also the first student exchange program between the University of Foreign Language Studies – The University of Da Nang and Chiang Mai University in the hope of opening the door to a long-term cooperative relationship between the University of Foreign Language Studies, the University of Da Nang and Chiang Mai University. In the upcoming July, a group of students from the University of Foreign Language Studies is expected to attend UCUC (university-university co-conference) at Chiang Mai University. This is an annual forum for students of universities in Southeast Asia which UCUC university members will take turns hosting. Hopefully you will soon hear interesting news relating to this event from participating students.
Below are 4 videos recorded and edited by the group of interns at the end of the nearly one-month exchange program at Chiang Mai University, hopefully they will give you an overview of this real-life experience.