The Grand Palace in Bangkok is the most visited landmark of Thailand. It served as the royal residence until 1925, and it is now used for ceremonial purposes. Photo courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Nonclassroom experiences enhance education
Helps fulfill requirements for Certificate in International Studies
UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Making the most of Chancellor Kevin Snider’s vision to expand student experiences and embrace diversity for Penn State New Kensington students, the International Trip committee is organizing a summer excursion to the Kingdom of Thailand in Southeast Asia.
The two-week journey, June 1 -14, is the capstone of a summer business class (global marketing) and international studies class (Special Topic) that runs from May 11 to June 28. The upper-level courses satisfy one of the program requirements for a Certificate in International Studies. Offered at only two Penn State campuses -- New Kensington and Shenango -- the undergraduate certificate is intended to provide students with a broad and deep understanding of a diverse world.
“This is a good opportunity for business and non-business majors who are interested in acquiring out-of-classroom experiences through travel abroad,” said Rujirutana “Dr. A” Mandhachitara, associate professor of business administration and the event organizer. “The trip also fits well with the campus’ strategic goal to increase international experiences and exposure to cultural diversity among our students.“
Students will engage in a variety of pre- and post-trip activities. One class project is the production of a short commercial to promote a product from Thailand that they will market in America. While in Thailand, students will attend presentations on topics pertaining to the roles of Thailand in a global economy, and the differences between Thailand and the United States on cultural norms and values, educational systems, and social structures.
“On-site educational visits will include Hemaraj’s Automotive Cluster, known as the Detroit of the East,” said Mandhachitara, who holds a doctorate in marketing from Thammasat University in Thailand, her native country. “We also will visit an eco-friendly resort, the largest outdoor market in Thailand, and the Museum of Counterfeit Goods.”
The museum comprises more than 4,000 goods that infringe trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Located in Bangkok, the museum covers 14 categories of goods, such as clothing, footwear, watches, cosmetics and perfumes. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital and largest city, will serve as home base for the campus contingent.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as JJ, is the world’s largest market with
more than 15,000 retailers. Photo courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Formerly known as Siam, the setting for the classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical, “The King and I,” Thailand is located in the middle of the Indochina Peninsula and is bordered by Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Its southern border opens to the Gulf of Thailand and into the South China Sea. The world’s 51st largest country is slightly larger than California.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while his father was attending Harvard University. Its major sources of revenue are manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. The Thai people refer to their country as the "land of the freedom" because Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European power.
The journey to Southeast Asia is a part of the Penn State Global Programs initiative that provides students with opportunities to study in foreign lands for varying periods of time -- week, summer, semester, or full year. The objective is to offer Penn State students a broader education than can be obtained in the classroom.
“Students can learn about Thai culture from taking classes on cooking, Thai boxing, and traditional dance and art,” Mandhachitara said. “They will visit three universities that specialize in tourism and hospitality management and can participate in one of the local school’s community projects.”
The cost of the trip is $2,100. Students can pay in installments. The first $500 installment is due Nov. 15.
Since 2004, more than 160 campus students have traveled to Spain, France, Italy, China, Greece, Peru, Galapagos Islands and Ireland. In conjunction with the trips, students are required to take a related course that enriches their understanding of the destination and its culture. Upon return, participants present their experiences through narratives and slide shows to the campus community. The presentations enable others to share in the immediate travel experience and help to generate excitement in students, as well as faculty and staff, to become involved in future trips.
For the past eight years, the campus has embarked on the promotion of greater awareness and understanding of world issues, international trends and global policy debates. Each year, the campus adopts a country or region of the world to inspire teaching and scholarship. Turkey is this year’s “Country of Focus.”
For more information on the Thailand trip, contact Dr. A at 347-406-4064 or rum20@psu.edu or visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Academics/InternationalPrograms/46018.htm
For more about the country of focus, visit http://nk.psu.edu/Academics/InternationalPrograms/43845.htm
