From February 27 to March 8, 2025, Prof. Yasushi Hirosato led the “Learning from Southeast Asia” program, organized by the Sophia GED team, accompanying 18 students from Sophia University and 4 students from Kwansei University.
Throughout the program, participants had the unique opportunity to discover the rich diversity of Thailand’s culture, society, economic, and natural environment, with immersive experiences in both the vibrant city of Bangkok and the scenic landscapes of Chiang Rai!
We started our program in the Bangkok area, where students had the opportunity to learn about the ‘Socioeconomic Situation and Issues in Thailand’ through a lecture delivered by the Managing Director of J-Will International. They also explored the ‘Diversity of Thai Culture’ in a session led by Sophia GED staff. In addition, students participated in a group fieldwork activity, where they planned their own routes and traveled around Bangkok by Thai public transportation systems. Through this experience, students gained a real taste of ‘Thai survival skills,’ in a city area, enhancing their confidence and adaptability in a new cultural environment.
Next, we moved to Chiang Rai, in the northern region of Thailand. Students were welcomed by Xavier Learning Community (XLC), where they had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Thai society, including the economic, health and education systems, environmental conservation efforts, ethnic minorities and the multicultural society, especially in the northern part of Thailand.
Students attended lectures on socioeconomic issues in the northern Thailand region, delivered by XLC staff. They also participated in group activities with XLC students, providing an opportunity to exchange cultures and build new friendships.
In addition to learning through lectures, students deepened their understanding of local communities through a visit to an Akha village, where they were able to immerse themselves in and explore the culture of a local Thai ethnic minority. They also visited several famous attractions, including Tham Luang Cave, the Hall of Opium, the Golden Triangle, Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), and the Blue Temple. These visits provided students with a deeper understanding of the society and culture of northern Thailand.
We also had the opportunity to visit Ban Thapkumanthong school, a small community primary school that serves both Thai children and those from local ethnic minority groups. During our visit, Japanese students engaged in volunteer activities, exchanging cultural experiences with the children.
They also visited Mekong school, the community place for local people to learn about environmental conservation around the Mekong river.
Lastly, students were assigned group presentations on four key topics: ethnic minorities and multicultural society, environmental conservation, agriculture and income generation, and education and health.
Before the program concluded, the XLC community hosted a farewell dinner featuring traditional northern Thai cuisine. As part of the celebration, students performed a cultural exchange show, sharing their traditions with both Japanese and XLC students. The evening also included the ‘Bai Sri’ ceremony, a traditional Thai ritual typically held after a significant event to express gratitude and well wishes.
We believe that students gained much more than just knowledge about Thailand. Over the 10-day course, they not only learned valuable insights into Thai culture, society, and environment but also created lasting memories and forged new friendships. These experiences will remain with them, offering a deeper appreciation of different cultures and broadening their perspectives.
