First Week

Week 1

After the very long tiring flights that I had, I was given the opportunity to witness the Teacher’s Appreciation day wherein the students were lining up to give their thanks to their teachers who guided them and inspired them. But before we went there, Dr. Narong brought us to the canteen so that we would know where to eat during our stay there. I was mesmerized because of how their canteen was set-up. The dining hall and the stall are divided for Muslims and for Buddhists. Facing the entrance of the canteen, the right part of the dining hall is for Halal foods for Muslims and another one for the Buddhist. You might think that it is bizarre because they shouldn’t, in a way, promote division with one another, but the truth is, it is for the convenience of everyone else, and most importantly, it is not promoting division but instead, it is their way of respecting each and everyone’s culture and religion. 

After we had our bountiful meal, we went immediately to the cultural hall where the Teacher’s Day was being held. At first, I was in awe when I was the gargantuan hall that they have. And to think that it is only one of the many halls that they have amazes me. When the program ended, I was astonished with their gestures because they were kneeling while they approached to their teachers and after reaching them, they bowed down to show their deep gratitude. After the ceremony, we then proceeded to their buffet. I was astounded because it was my first time seeing a platter full of half-cooked veggies with chili sauce, fish that is covered with curry like color but despite those, the food was still delicious.

THE MEETING

After the lunch that we had, we then proceeded in the Language Arts building where we met Dr. Keng for the official introduction and welcome. There we were shown clippings of how songkhla started and how for so many years, withstood the challenges that the university faces. We were also introduced to the different teachers with different nationalities that we can have as a contact person if ever we will need something from them.

  

REPRESENTING

There is no greater honor than representing your country in a foreign land. The vigor that you feel in donning the flag will always be the best feeling of all. In picture on the upper right, starting on the left is I, Ilham, Dr. Keng, Ulfa, Anna, Laras and Desi, All of which are Indonesians except for Dr. Keng which is Thai, and I which is a Filipino.

OFFICIAL WELCOME DINNER

We were officially introduced to our mentors in our welcome dinner with the top brass in Songkhla Rajahbat University (Faculty of Education) I was assigned to the lovely Dr. Put which picture is on the lower left. In this event, I was able to sing a native song from my hometown in Cebu City in which I proudly sang. 

The vice director also gave us flowers and souvenirs together with the letter with the picture of His Highness King Rama IX. I also had the opportunity to have a picture with the beautiful Dr. May which picture is on the upper right. I really thank the staff and the faculty members for the warm welcome.

FOLKLORE MUSEUM

Together with Dr. Narong, and with the help of the School’s transportation, they brought us to the Folklore Arts Museum in Thailand wherein we saw how the Thai people live during the olden times. We saw a lot of traditional tools that was used in making Sugar Cane juice, weaving clothes and so much more. As a matter of fact, there are other traditional tools that is still being used today such as the tools for weaving clothes. When I was invited by Dr. Put to go the oldest clothing store in Thailand, the sales lady told me that up until this day, the Malong that they are selling was weaved using the traditional tools. In the museum, they are also artifacts for the religions that have dominated the southern province of Thailand, they have the Muslim section or rooms for Islamic religion, and they also have the Buddhist section for Buddhism religion.

In this picture you can see the Buddhist temple, together with the monk portrait which signifies the influence of Buddhism Southern Thai. In the same picture, you can also see the influence of the Islamic religion through the artifacts and porcelain plates with Arabic markings. Also, you can see a Qur’an in the top most right section of the picture.