After three weeks, the twenty eight undergraduates and post graduates from ten different countries have just completed their “Asian Experience” with Asian U. They are returning to Europe with an enhanced knowledge of business and culture in Thailand.
They spent their first four nights on campus alongside the Asian U students, then four nights in Bangkok, and the rest of the time they stayed at the Grand Jomtien Palace hotel. They have had so many new experiences. Four separate courses were included in their program, cross cultural management and communication in Asia, International Business: an Asian Perspective, Emerging Economies in Asia and Asian Culture and Philosophy.
The lecturers were all well known in their own fields. Khun Kriengsek (The Thai Coach) enlightened everyone with information about some of the differences between us and had the delegates taking part in role plays about the way we interact with one another; James Rooney told the stories of several successful entrepreneurs, all based in Thailand. Dr. Narachai taught about the Thai economy, Professor Krairit covered marketing and people management in Asia.
A special guest lecturer was Dr.Tengku Mahaleel Ariff from Malaysia, an ex CEO of Proton cars. He came to Asian U and gave an entertaining and informative talk on globalisation, from an Asian perspective. The auditorium was filled with the Summer University participants, as well as Asian U students and staff.
Asian U lecturers included David Tan, who gave the group a taste of Thai and Asian business law and Kelly Ritchey who covered financing in Asia. Dr. Viphandh Roengpithya (the President of Asian U) attended many of the events and gave several lectures covering the history of Thailand and some of his many experiences working in Thailand and elsewhere. Throughout the program, the participants especially enjoyed the informality and chance to talk with Dr. Vip and all the other presenters.
Apart from the classroom experiences, the students had the chance to visit businesses in this part of Thailand. The Thai President Food (Mama noodle) factory at Sri Ratcha welcomed the group and Mama kindly provided a helpful guide to tell us about the plant and answer questions. Mama generously gave each delegate some samples of a new-recipe of the popular noodles. The Toyota Motor plant in Ban Po was new, big and very impressive. The environmentally friendly plant was opened at the start of the year, and assembles pick-ups for export. The group had the chance to see the assembly lines first hand, and again ask questions of the management. The other visits were to the Bangkok Hospital, Pattaya, where again the hosts were senior staff, including Dr Iain. After a presentation on the business side of the hospital, the effects of tourist nationalities and numbers, and information about some of the special medical treatments available, a guided tour gave everyone a chance to see for themselves .The European visitors were amazed, they thought they were in a five star hotel, not a hospital! The final visit was to a real five star hotel, the Amari in Pattaya. Again, the general manager (M. Dominic), greeted the group and then Khun Sunday gave an interesting presentation about the hotel chain and the ongoing expansion and other developments. Dr. Vip was able to add some more about the history of the hotel as he has family connections. After the visit, the group enjoyed supper at Henry Bean's, with Dr. Vip as host. The students' representative, Adam, from Aston University, England, gave a vote of thanks to Dr. Vip for all his input, advice and help with the program. Dr. Vip gave each delegate a special present from Asian U and Thailand; a gold badge to commemorate the King's 80th birthday. Of course there were also social events, a visit to Koh Larn for games; Thai culture, food and dance lessons from the Asian U students; sports and games in the University sports hall, with the Asian U students; and an international evening to give the Thais a chance to learn a little about the visitors' countries.
Elephant riding was a first for many of the group, the talk on meditation from Chao Khun Suchart at Wat Yan was enlightening, a visit to Nong Nooch was fun and interesting, Thai cooking was another experience to take home. The delegates all enjoyed themselves, and they all learnt a lot: from the lectures, the visits, the Thai students that they met, and each other. Apart from the formal activities, they enjoyed exploring on their own, and having further adventures. Joao, from Portugal, said it was hard to identify the highlight, but it was probably the lectures in Bangkok from eminent Thais.
The final dinner was happy and sad, but everyone is leaving with a new group of real international friends in Thailand and Europe. The Staff at Asian U are now sorting out the plans for next year's Summer University!
A few quotes from the delegates included:
"The caliber of lecturers was exceptional."
"I really enjoyed the leisure activities. They gave a good insight in the Thai culture and those who are interested can get good information."
"An excellent combination of studies and holidays."
“Very friendly and always helpful team, lots of activities to get a deeper insight on Thailand and its culture."
"Invaluable experience, great value. A truly Asian experience."
The photos show the delegates “experiencing” Thailand.
