Hello everyone!
So This is the first blog i am posting for the semester 2009 and it is instructed by Ajan Jessica Loh my lecturer for a very interesting course Intercultural Understanding I was challenged by Ajan(proffessor) to write about three expectations and Two goals as a student of the study abroad programme. I had tons of expectations coming to Thailand and as such started painting imaginary pictures of the country, constantly payed visits to Mr Njie (the international affairs officer) in my University as i posed him endless quetions about Payap and when i was to leave. Knowing that this was going to be a major step in my life being the first time i study abroad i was both excited and curious for an experience that would add alot to my life intellectually and personally.My expectations were alot varying from how my room would look like?, who my roomate would be? my Daily activities and meeting the other students in the Thai Studies program, i had alot of Uncertainties but i always knew that experience is the best teacher so i would have to go through that process of discovery inorder to find out. But most importantly i wanted to learn a lot about the Thai culture, economy, people, Academic difference and structure. To experience cultural shock mainly because i come from an African and Developing country so i always had a hunch that there were potential differences, however, i systematically discovered that Thailand is very diversified in terms of culture,this is evident as Different Nationalities and people inhabit the country so i always found myself comparing and Discovering similarities between both cultures.
Secondly, i expected learning Thai to be very difficult, if not impossible mainly because it was a tonal language and i had a lot of schoolmates in countries like Taiwan who had a lot of difficulty in adapting to their new language.So i started looking out for basic phrases like( sa ba dee kha) a general word for saying Hello, my Dad always made fun of me when i tried practising them he would say Bintou "your off key" but i was determined to learn a few phrases "just in case" . I was thrilled however at how Thai people were willing and open to helping me and my colleagues develope our Vocabulary and i have improved gradually from their assistance. This goes to show what a big and generous heart Thai people have and motivated me to learn more and have a flawless conversation especially with our receptionist who always tastes my knowledge of Thai on a Daily basis... Which is good
Finally, i expected everyone to have a happy and smiling mood because as i did my little research before coming to Thailand, i read that different smiles in Thailand had different meanings this had me puzzled because secretly i began practising different ways of smiling, this and because Thailand is the Land Of Smiles.This however is true to some extent. I also had the concept that studying in Africa was more challenging and rigorous than studying abroad because we didnt have all the resources required to adequately acqiure knowledge but i learnt that it was equally if not more challenging. This is because the method of testing your understanding and ability to apply oneself in say a course is done almost on daily basis, complimented by lots of assignments,quizzes , reading before class etc to keep you busyand also to have a synopses of the notes before lectures. These were assessment schemes that were new to me. So i now have a clearer notion of my initial concept and an add on too
My Goal as an exchange student is to improve and grow as an individual, my concepts, worldview,ways of rationalising etc and most importantly as a student,having the opportunity to be lectured by Professionals and very experienced Ajans i consider my self lucky and i am quite thirsty to drink from their fountain of knowledge. To make alot of friends from different countries and cultures and background and simiultaneously learn from them
Secondly, as an Ambassador of my country(The Gambiia) and university in Payap i intend to exchange and share with my peers my culture, experience,and extract as much value and knowledge with an open mind and heart. This i intend doing through conversations, posting blogs(Thanks to Ajan Jessica and technology) and if not over ambitious to have an A in her course
PS. I ultimately intend to speak Thai at the end of this experience and carry out a flawless conversation
Pob Gan Mai Kha
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