Starting the year 2026, Sophia GED launches the first study tour of the season with the “Learning from Southeast Asia B” program, welcoming 15 students from Sophia University to Thailand for a series of distinctive and immersive learning experiences.
Students will have the opportunity to explore diverse aspects of Thai society through visits to two distinctive cities, the dynamic capital of Bangkok and the serene yet culturally vibrant Chiang Rai, each offering its own unique charm. Led by Prof. Dr. Yasushi Hirosato, an expert on the economic landscape of Southeast Asia who has supervised this program on numerous occasions, participants can look forward to a rich and engaging learning experience while appreciating Thailand’s scenery throughout the program period from February 2nd to 9th.
After arriving in Bangkok on the first day, students wasted no time immersing themselves in the city. On the second day, they were given the opportunity to plan their own itineraries and explore Bangkok with their group members.
Many chose to visit the city’s iconic temples, take a traditional long-tail boat along the Chao Phraya River, and enjoy delicious cuisine at well-known department stores across the city.
We were also honored to arrange a special lecture by Mr. Tasuku Teshima from Hakuhodo Bangkok, who shared valuable insights on working and living in Thailand from a Japanese perspective. This was followed by an introductory session on key aspects of Thai culture delivered by the Sophia GED staff. The day concluded with the first reflection and sharing session, during which students discussed their experiences in Bangkok so far. They offered diverse perspectives and demonstrated impressive research skills in presenting the topics that had sparked their interest about the city.
From the fourth day onward, the program continued in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. The main activities were held at Xavier Learning Community, where Sophia University students engaged with members of the local multicultural community in lively and interactive cultural exchange sessions through singing and casual conversations.
In addition, students participated in a brief agricultural experience unique to the rural setting and visited a local village of the Akha people, an ethnic minority group living in the mountainous areas. Through these hands-on experiences, students gained meaningful insight into the daily lives and traditions of hill tribe communities.
On the final evening at Xavier Learning Community, students from both sides presented performances of their own choosing—ranging from traditional songs to contemporary music and dance—creating a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and enthusiastic applause. After bidding farewell to XLC, the group continued to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge. From there, they visited the Hall of Opium to learn about the historical background and regional impact of the opium trade. The third stop of the day was at the border town of Mae Sai, where students explored the local market to sample northern Thai cuisine and walked along a temple skywalk overlooking the mountainous landscape of Myanmar and the Mae Sai River from above.
After a brief overnight rest in Chiang Rai, the program’s final main activity took place at the Maekok Foundation, an orphanage and rehabilitation center dedicated to supporting hill tribe children in the area. Ms. Anuluck Chaislin, the foundation’s leader, warmly welcomed the group and shared an overview of its mission and background. The students were then introduced to the children, many of whom displayed bright, joyful energy and an eagerness to interact with the Japanese participants.
On the final day of the program, after seeing the children off to school in the morning, we held a concluding reflection session in which each participant shared how their one-week experience in Thailand had influenced them and what differences they observed between the two cities they visited.
Throughout the day, everyone spent meaningful time playing, talking, cooking, and sharing a meal together. Although the visit was brief, the warm atmosphere and genuine connections created a heartfelt experience that made us feel truly at home.
Following closing remarks from the staff, we prepared for departure and bid a heartfelt farewell to the warm community at the Maekok Foundation Before heading to the airport, we made brief visits to two of Chiang Rai’s most renowned temples—Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) and Wat Rong Suea Ten (the Blue Temple)—allowing students to further appreciate Thailand’s distinctive cultural architecture.
Upon returning to Bangkok, we bid farewell to the Sophia University students with gratitude and hope that this journey would inspire them to contribute to a better society and to remain curious about the wider world beyond Thailand. On behalf of the Sophia GED team, we sincerely thank all participants, staff members, and partner organizations who made this program such a meaningful and unique learning experience. We look forward to meeting everyone again in the future.
— The Sophia GED Team
