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HEAD TO Thailand - Application essay for Student Exchange Program
Question: What are your benefits when participating in the Student
Exchange Program at Chulalongkorn University?
Over 46 years of establishing diplomatic relations (1976 - 2022), Vietnam
- Thailand cooperation in the field of education and training has obtained many
outstanding results. The Memorandum of Understanding on Education
Cooperation between two nations in 2004 was promoted to be re-signed in
2020. As a result, a number of cooperation agreements and programs have been
effectively implemented, such as Student Exchange Programs, teacher training
and establishing Language and Education Center. For instance, in October,
2022, Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University and the Diplomatic Academy of
Vietnam became partners, offering two slots in the Student Exchange Program
next year. As a student trying to grasp this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I shall
discuss the merits of exchange study I could have at Chulalongkorn University in what follows.
It is undeniable that the first and foremost benefit of studying abroad in
Chulalongkorn University (Chula) is the tremendous amount of knowledge
which I could acquire. Regarding academic knowledge, being a part of Chula is
a big chance for me to practice and broaden my understanding in
Communications, which is my major at Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
(DAV). Chula is the oldest institute of higher education in Thailand with
57-year experience in teaching communications. Obviously, I will have the
opportunity to learn a lot of things from proficient professors and lecturers. In
addition, the curriculum from Chula’s Faculty of Communications includes
more than 50 courses, providing a wide range of theoretical knowledge and
practical skills. Many of which are completely new knowledge for me such as campaign management=, 1 about:blank 1/5 20:25 29/7/24
HEAD TO Thailand - Application essay for Student Exchange Program
Besides, Chula's Communication major covers many interrelated subfields of
the communication industry, ranging from Advertising, Public Relations,
Marketing, Digital Media, Journalism, etc. As a result, students are so fortunate
that they can experience each field and thus choose the most suitable one to
pursue. In this way, I think students like me can immerse themselves in the
communication industry and finally find the way to their own success in their
career. I individually found my interest in the course 2800215: Public Relations and Advertising=. In recent years, Thailand has been
remarkably successful in the advertising industry. It not only creates a great
echo on the international scale, but also attracts millions of viewers on social
platforms like Tiktok, Youtube and Facebook. For example, one of the most
globally viral Television Commercials (TVC) from Thailand is with the aim of advertising Thai life insurance. This ad has had more than 1
million views from 232 countries within 4 weeks of launch. With 18 million
interactions, "Unsung Hero" is ranked in the top 10 most influential viral clips
in the world. Thus, the opportunity to study in Chula next year is definitely
important to me. I can achieve my goal of exploring the arts of advertising from
Thai people. What the Thai people are doing well is that they work sincerely;
with a profound view of the market, they make simple things become great ads.
That is the thing I follow in the communication industry.
An additional advantage of studying at Chulalongkorn University I would
gain is the practical knowledge and experience of Thailand’s culture, society
and history. This coincides with traveling to a new place for a long time.
Travelers can learn a lot of things from local people, especially the indegenous
customs and traditions. There is a valuable quote from Saint Augustine that is
have the opportunity to go abroad to study, I have somewhat stepped out of my
comfort zone with an open mind to explore. Therefore, besides studying, 2 about:blank 2/5 20:25 29/7/24
HEAD TO Thailand - Application essay for Student Exchange Program
spending time on experiencing Thailand is of paramount importance. And this is
what Chula would give me. I want to be steeped in Thai culture and witness
famous heritage sites appearing in Thai movies I have watched. Admittedly, I
have been in love with Thai TV series since I was a kid. The film that cultivates
my affection for Thailand and makes me feel eager to discover its culture is
attracted by historical places of the Ayutthaya Kingdom such as Wat
Chaiwatthanaram Temple; architectures such as Wat Yai Chaimongkhol, and
Wat Phra Si Sanphet. On top of this, it needs to be highlighted that what I can
learn from local people about their culture is absolutely special and meaningful.
It is not something I can easily get from film or newspapers.
Moreover, having a profound understanding of both Thai and Vietnamese
culture is useful for me in the era of globalization, especially in the field of
International Communications and Culture. I study abroad to absorb new and
comprehensive knowledge from the host country. It is important to know the
right way to apply this knowledge to develop my home country. I believe that
critical thinking is crucial in this case. Knowledge has to be properly
exchanged, not indiscriminately. For example, there is a controversial story
recently related to the pageants’ introductions in Miss Grand Vietnam. Their
ways of introducing themselves try to mimic the original version of Miss Grand
Thailand. However, it is not suitable to the Vietnamese culture and language,
consequently receiving a lot of audiences’ objection. In short, I want to
emphasize the importance of being knowledgeable in nations’ culture,
especially when it comes to International Communications. A course in the
Student Exchange Program shall help me to achieve this goal.
Other advantages of studying in Chula can be listed as international
networking and the opportunity to promote the image of Vietnam globally. 3 about:blank 3/5 20:25 29/7/24
HEAD TO Thailand - Application essay for Student Exchange Program
Regarding the former one, participating in the student exchange program helps
students like me build good relationships with indigenous people during the
time of living here. Moreover, every year, student exchange programs are still
regularly welcoming thousands of dynamic young people in the world. In
addition to experiencing the international learning environment, I will have the
opportunity to get acquainted and learn from many different cultures. Therefore,
my personal connection network will be widened across continents. Lastly, I
will feel so proud and responsible when I can share the Vietnamese cultural
identity with the world. This is a part of Exchange Programs=. We exchange not only knowledge but also culture. Each
student who studies abroad is responsible for promoting our nation’s image. I
believe this is the way we can express our patriotism and contribute to the development of Vietnam.
This essay has highlighted four major benefits of taking part in the
Student Exchange Program at Chulalongkorn University. These merits can be
listed as gaining profound knowledge in Communications, engaging in native
culture, widening global networks and promoting the national image in an
international environment. In order to optimize these potential benefits, students
who win the chance in the Student Exchange Program have to try their best to
improve themselves and be the pride of Vietnam. In the end of this paper, I want
to express my gratitude for both institutions: Chulalongkorn University and
Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. I am deeply indebted to the opportunities that I receive. 4 about:blank 4/5 20:25 29/7/24
HEAD TO Thailand - Application essay for Student Exchange Program REFERENCES:
1. Chulalongkorn’s Faculty of Communications and Arts course description
2. South China Morning Post. 2022. 5 of Thailand’s ads that went viral
because they touched our hearts. [online] Available at:
nds-ads-went-viral-because-they-made-us-laugh-or> [Accessed 2 October 2022].
3. Studyinvietnam.edu.vn. 2022. Học bổng Việt Nam. [online] Available at:
ved-thai-ambassador-to-vietnam-61.html> [Accessed 2 October 2022]. 5 about:blank 5/5