TAIST-Tokyo Tech Student Exchange Program 2016

2016 marked the second year of the Thailand Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (TAIST)*-Tokyo Tech Student Exchange Program, which took Tokyo Tech students to Thailand for short-term research and internship activities at TAIST, and TAIST students to Tokyo Tech to participate in a 10-week research program. While engaging in research, participants also enjoyed opportunities to experience the culture of the host country.

Tokyo Tech students' visit to TAIST

Between August 2016 and March 2017, 18 Tokyo Tech students traveled individually to Thailand and spent periods of two weeks to two months in the country. In total, 15 Tokyo Tech students participated in lectures offered through TAIST's Automotive Engineering (AE) program, while another 3 attended lectures offered through the Advanced and Sustainable Environmental Engineering (EnvE) program. In preparation for their stays in Thailand, each student corresponded by email with National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) researchers to discuss plans for their individual research internships at the agency. Once in the country, they attended TAIST lectures and participated in internships.

Warmly received by their NSTDA host laboratories, the Tokyo Tech participants conducted research and communicated with lab members in English. In addition, they engaged in sports and cultural exchange activities with TAIST classmates. They were housed at Sirindhorn Science Home in Thailand Science Park. Outside the NSTDA campus, the Tokyo Tech students enjoyed the challenge of communicating with local people for whom English was also a second language. Thanks to the friendliness of the Thai people and a combination of persistence and non-verbal communication methods, all participants experienced success in conversations despite the language barrier. After returning home, participants reported a sense of personal growth, having challenged themselves in an unfamiliar environment.

• Before departure, I was worried about going abroad by myself, but now I see it was a valuable experience to spend time there alone. Since returning to Tokyo Tech, I have been trying harder to communicate with students from Thailand.
• It was a big step to communicate with people in English in an environment where no one spoke Japanese.
• Considering the challenges faced by Asian countries, the firsthand knowledge we gained in Thailand will definitely be a valuable asset.
• Seeing the motivation of the students I met overseas, and realizing that companies are looking at applicants' global competitiveness, I realized I should do more to enhance my language skills, expertise, and enthusiasm to better compete with students from abroad.
• I learned many things including assertiveness, confidence, and kindness from the Thai people and international students with whom I spent time.

Academic affiliations are as of the date of the event

TAIST students at Tokyo Tech

• During the program period, I experienced Japanese culture, customs, and culinary habits. I was also able to come into contact with Japanese high-tech goods not only in my laboratory, but almost everywhere I went.
• The Japanese people were very kind. I appreciated their efforts in trying to answer my many questions.
• In my lab at Tokyo Tech, I was impressed to see students working even harder than I had imagined they would. It provided me with greater motivation toward my own research.
• The weather was very cold, but it was wonderful to see snow for the first time in my life.

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Final presentations

Program with deepening implications on cultural understanding

Thanks to the TAIST students' hospitality, Tokyo Tech participants in the program were able to enjoy their stays in Thailand, and this kindness was reciprocated for the TAIST students at Tokyo Tech. Lab members served as tutors, and Tokyo Tech students who had previously participated in short-term exchanges at TAIST also welcomed the visitors.

The incoming and outgoing student exchanges between TAIST and Tokyo Tech are undoubtedly deepening mutual understanding between Japan and Thailand. As a result of the TAIST-Tokyo Tech Student Exchange Program, increased cooperation in other areas is anticipated.

• TAIST-Tokyo Tech | Tokyo Tech Global Stories | Global
• TAIST | Global Exchange Initiatives | Global
• Symposium for industry-academia collaboration held in Thailand | Tokyo Tech News
• Tokyo Tech welcomes TAIST students for three-week research program | Tokyo Tech News
• TAIST-Tokyo Tech Student Exchange Program 2015 launched | Tokyo Tech News