After I signed up for the 2024 Thailand Collins School Examine Overseas Program, I didn’t anticipate a life-changing expertise. I had no expectations past studying how you can cook dinner Thai meals in Thailand for course credit, and I had not researched a lot about finding out overseas earlier than the journey. Nonetheless, throughout my time at Rajamangala College of Know-how Thanyaburi (RMUTT), I immersed myself in Thai tradition, gained new insights into the hospitality business, and broadened my international perspective in a brand new surroundings. Collaborating on this research overseas program has considerably contributed to my educational journey, skilled growth, and private development.
Educational and Skilled Enrichment at RMUTT
The School of Liberal Arts at RMUTT and Dr. Kwok organized an intensive academic program that offered us with a complete overview of hospitality and tourism in Thailand, together with an introduction to Thai historical past, language, and tradition. On campus, we attended lectures that delved into Thailand’s wellness tourism section and explored their SMART MICE initiatives. Moreover, we participated in quite a lot of workshops, together with classes on the “Thai wai” (Thailand’s greeting customs), conventional Thai dance, Muay Thai, Thai delicacies, and Thai drinks. We very a lot admire these workshops and studying actions, which allowed us to get acquainted with Thai tradition and the locations we had been about to go to.
Off-campus, our studying continued as we explored G-farm, an agri-tourism enterprise, and spent a whole day on the five-star Banyan Tree Bangkok, the place RMUTT operates a student-run café. Throughout our go to to the Banyan Tree Bangkok, we toured their meals and beverage venues and visitor rooms, attended a mini-workshop on spa administration, and engaged with the Normal Supervisor – Ms. Nopparat Aumpa and different managers, concerning the Banyan Tree group’s historical past, its work tradition, her expertise rising right into a feminine chief inside the group, and employment alternatives for college students.
Our exploration of Thailand additionally included visits to numerous industrial and retail estates, resembling a wholesale agricultural market, massive flea markets, and luxurious malls. Eating experiences ranged from Banyan Tree’s up to date Thai restaurant to a river cruise alongside the Chao Phraya River, an enormous out of doors seafood grill buffet, meals at a few of RMUTT professors’ favourite native spots, and the nation’s iconic avenue meals stalls. We additionally visited well-known vacationer locations like Yaowarat Avenue in Chinatown, Pattaya and neighboring Koh Lan Island, and Suan Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Backyard. A few of the historic websites we toured included Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya and the Grand Palace positioned within the coronary heart of Bangkok.
Hospitality Classes from Actual-World Expertise
Though a few of our itineraries may initially appear to be a sequence of vacationer actions, every expertise was thoughtfully curated to supply invaluable insights into hospitality administration and the lessons we had been enrolled at Cal Poly Pomona. All through our journey, we had been guided by an knowledgeable whose deep data and interesting communication all the time added an academic layer to our excursions. Their function underscored how efficient communication, thorough product data, and viewers engagement improve visitor experiences.
Visiting historic landmarks and temples, whereas studying concerning the affect of faith on every day life in Thailand, deepened our understanding of native traditions and how you can higher work together with individuals from totally different backgrounds. Eating at varied eating places and observing the meticulous preparation and real heat prolonged by the workers offered sensible classes in upholding excessive service requirements and creating memorable eating experiences. Exploring the methods and cultural significance of Thai wellness providers highlighted the strategic benefit of incorporating cultural practices into distinctive hospitality choices. Moreover, visiting the assorted retail and industrial environments allowed us to look at the dynamics of retail inside the hospitality sector, the place procuring experiences typically complement journey and tourism.
The training actions on this research overseas program gave me the learn-by-doing experiences anticipated at a polytechnic college. One of many lessons we enrolled in was “The Arts of Thai Delicacies.” I can’t consider a greater technique to study in-depth data about Thai delicacies than attending the cooking and meals & beverage workshops from our Thai chef instructors or immersing myself within the Thai tradition day-after-day.
Private Insights
On a private be aware, this was my first time touring exterior of the U.S. I’ve learn numerous journey blogs and books and watched many journey exhibits, however truly experiencing it made me understand how a lot of a bubble I’ve been in. Studying concerning the Banyan Tree’s influence and scale of enterprise confirmed me how naive I used to be in pondering that solely main Western lodge chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt had been the massive names to look at. Now, I’m wanting to discover alternatives overseas to realize hospitality business expertise from totally different views.
Moreover, whereas there, I enriched my understanding of what constitutes wonderful service in several cultural contexts by evaluating the variations and similarities in buyer preferences and repair supply strategies. Though Thailand was fully new to me, it jogged my memory of how Hawaii, the place my household is from, was once earlier than the influence of over-tourism. This connection has sparked my ideas concerning the potential challenges Thailand may face because it continues to draw extra vacationers. The native sentiments I encountered throughout my interactions with residents deepened my understanding of the necessity for sustainable tourism options that defend native communities whereas supporting development.
The enriching cultural expertise in Thailand additionally allowed me to satisfy one other GE (common training) course in Space C3 or D4 requirement, entitled “Examine Overseas: Worldwide Fieldwork.” It was completely definitely worth the money and time I spent on this journey.
The Lasting Impression of Learning Overseas in Thailand
In conclusion, my research overseas journey to Thailand was a multifaceted studying expertise that prolonged far past what one can study by staying on campus. Every part we realized and each exercise we participated in throughout this journey offered sensible insights and classes in hospitality administration and life basically. These experiences have geared up me with a deeper understanding of cultural nuances, service excellence, and the intricacies of the hospitality business. This journey has undoubtedly enriched my data and ready me for a profitable profession in hospitality administration.
Questions for Ideas
- Have you ever participated in any research overseas program earlier than? In that case, how was your expertise?
- Should you work within the hospitality or tourism business, how a lot do you worth a job candidate’s or an affiliate’s research overseas or expat expertise?
- What sort of study-abroad or life expertise (past related job expertise) are most appreciated by our business professionals?
Linchi Kwok
Professor at The Collins School of Hospitality Administration, Cal Poly Pomona
CAL Poly Pomona
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