Practicing Intercultural communication in thailand
By Dr. Rebecca Imes, Associate Professor of Communication
Magical, mystical, modern Thailand. What a magnificent place to practice your intercultural communication skills! This past January, while the U.S. was experiencing Polar Vortex Part 1, Dr. Rebecca Imes, Associate Professor of Communication, and Ms. Josie de Hartog, Director of Academic Engagement, accompanied 15 Carroll students to Thailand for 3 weeks. The class fulfilled the Cross-Cultural Experience requirement for the students and they received 4 credits for completion of this unique class.
The group spent the first week in Bangkok—what a shock to the senses! So many new smells, sounds, and experiences greeted us each day. From visiting the Grand Palace to meeting with the CEO at the largest medical tourism hospital in the world, from going to a theater holding the Guinness Book of World Record’s title for the largest stage to climbing the steep steps of Wat Arun, from eating fried scorpions on Khao San Road (only some of us) to experiencing a major world city on New Year’s Eve—Bangkok was a revelation. The students found favorite hangouts in our neighborhood and learned how to bargain with street vendors.
The group spent the first week in Bangkok—what a shock to the senses! So many new smells, sounds, and experiences greeted us each day. From visiting the Grand Palace to meeting with the CEO at the largest medical tourism hospital in the world, from going to a theater holding the Guinness Book of World Record’s title for the largest stage to climbing the steep steps of Wat Arun, from eating fried scorpions on Khao San Road (only some of us) to experiencing a major world city on New Year’s Eve—Bangkok was a revelation. The students found favorite hangouts in our neighborhood and learned how to bargain with street vendors.
When it was time to move to our next city, they were both sad and excited. An overnight train to Chiang Mai (with stops at the ancient city of Ayutthaya and the monkey temple in Lop Buri) and we arrived in the lovely city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. After a temple scavenger hunt to acquaint us with the city that first day, we visited the university (getting our picture in the University paper), went to cooking school, talked with local monks, hiked in the jungle, rode elephants, and played in waterfalls. We even had coffee in a little hut called the “Mountain Starbucks” in a remote village that sells its coffee crop to the company of that same name. We ended our northern Thailand time volunteering at an elephant sanctuary and had the experience of a lifetime—feeding, bathing, cleaning up after, and following these amazing mammals around their habitat.
After Chiang Mai, we flew to Phuket and took a ferry to the picturesque island of Koh Phi Phi where we spent our last two days. We all marveled at the blues of the ocean and the pristine beaches and jungle. We swam, hiked, snorkeled, and kept our eyes out for the monkeys that were sneaking into bungalows while the owners were out to steal our snacks. It was paradise. Awaiting our return flight to the U.S., we had one of our usual reflection meetings and discussed what the trip had been like for each of us. Most students commented that they’d expected to be amazed and have fun, but they hadn’t expected to be changed…and they were. They told us that the experience of seeing intercultural communication come alive beyond the textbook was so much more than a trip and more than a class. It was something that they believe will impact them for the rest of their lives. As instructors, Ms. de Hartog and I had the privilege of watching our students stretch and grow, challenge and be challenged over those weeks. Magical, mystical, modern Thailand was an experience to treasure for all.
After Chiang Mai, we flew to Phuket and took a ferry to the picturesque island of Koh Phi Phi where we spent our last two days. We all marveled at the blues of the ocean and the pristine beaches and jungle. We swam, hiked, snorkeled, and kept our eyes out for the monkeys that were sneaking into bungalows while the owners were out to steal our snacks. It was paradise. Awaiting our return flight to the U.S., we had one of our usual reflection meetings and discussed what the trip had been like for each of us. Most students commented that they’d expected to be amazed and have fun, but they hadn’t expected to be changed…and they were. They told us that the experience of seeing intercultural communication come alive beyond the textbook was so much more than a trip and more than a class. It was something that they believe will impact them for the rest of their lives. As instructors, Ms. de Hartog and I had the privilege of watching our students stretch and grow, challenge and be challenged over those weeks. Magical, mystical, modern Thailand was an experience to treasure for all.
Jessie Garcia: green bay packers exclusive
Carroll Communication Major Making the News!!
Is that Communication major Sage Thomas on Morning Blend? It sure is. Way to go, Sage!
To learn more and to see the video feel free to check out the following link.
http://www.themorningblend.com/videos/201676761.html
Awesome Job!
To learn more and to see the video feel free to check out the following link.
http://www.themorningblend.com/videos/201676761.html
Awesome Job!
'Doc' May be Gone, but he will never be forgotten
congratulations to our Senior Capstone Students!
While they are not ALL shown below our seniors have all worked really hard. Well done!