chiang rai immersion
By Leong Ying Yi (Class of 2016)
I always love experiencing overseas immersion programmes as it offers me an opportunity to not only look at another world but to live and breathe in it. So, I jumped at the opportunity to visit Chiang Rai when it was offered to me.
8 years on, I still recall the memories with my classmates figuring out what our lecturers were speaking on the first day with our limited vocabulary and subsequently honed our skills to a level where we got comfortable in speaking in Thai and even passing off as Thais in NUS. It provided me a great opportunity to interact with peers from different faculties and put up performances together for Christmas which we don't usually do at NUS home campus. And if you're lucky you might find a lifelong friend or even partner through the programme.
The highlights of the programme are the opportunities to make Thai friends, try Thai gastronomy, enjoy/be frightened by a Thai (horror) movie, experience riding a bike and visiting parks, museums, and temples. Yes, you may have tried Thai food, watched a Thai movie or even read about Thai culture but…
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When you visit your Thai friend and meet his/ her parents would you be comfortable addressing them as “Mum” or “Dad” in Thai?
Have you experienced sitting on the floor of your friend’s living room to have sticky rice in a bamboo tube with a bunch of friends?
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What do you do at a movie theatre in Thailand before the show starts? Sit comfortably and watch some commercials? How does it feel to stand at attention while the national anthem is played with footages of the Thai King's contribution to the nation? What does it mean to the Thais?
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How about experiencing sitting on the back of your friends’ motorcycle? (Not recommended) But how do you ensure your safety and be answerable to your loved ones?
As you visit museums, you may come to understand how and why King Rama IX was, and is still revered by the Thais. Perhaps you may also think about our own founding father Lee Kuan Yew and his contributions to Singapore.
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You may also come across a beautiful temple unlike any other and might one day become a UNESCO site. The White temple is cleverly constructed in an intricate manner with mirror pieces and depicts the concept of Buddhism.
Rather than providing you with answers, I leave you with questions to wonder as you marvel at the beauty and richness of Thai culture and perhaps you may gain some takeaways as an individual, a Singaporean/ (your nationality) and a global citizen.
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Wishing you a wonderful learning experience!
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Ying Yi
