lkui.umsida.ac.id – On Wednesday (02/09), the journey of an intern student from Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo, Zelfa, from Chiang Khan to Bueng Kan Province began. It was quite a long trip, taking around six to seven hours by car. After a long day of travelling, they rested at the hotel before continuing their journey to Bueng Kan the next morning. Before attending the exhibition, they had the opportunity to visit one of the most interesting places in Bueng Kan, Three Whale Rocks, also known as Hin Sam Wan. The place gets its name from the shape of the three huge rocks, which are said to resemble a family of whales: a father, a mother, and their baby.
After visiting Three Whale Rocks, they headed to the hotel where the exhibition was going to take place. The exhibition was held at a hotel in Bueng Kan, and before the event started, they prepared their English booth together. What made the experience even more exciting was that the participants were not only from Ban Chiang Khan Wichitwittaya School. Several students from other schools also joined the program, including around six Indonesian students who had been selected to participate.
The main exhibition took place on Friday morning (4/9). The event started at around 8 a.m. One of the first important guests to visit Zelfa’s booth was a senior education official. She was a young woman who was very friendly and enthusiastic. She asked about why English is important, especially in education. They also talked about how teachers can encourage students to learn English and make the learning process more enjoyable and fun.
Although the conversation only lasted around ten minutes, it was one of the most memorable parts of the exhibition for Zelfa. She was very welcoming and genuinely interested. She even encouraged Zelfa to explore other provinces in Thailand instead of only visiting Loei Province. After the interview and the official speech, they took some photos together. The exhibition continued with the assessment of the different booths by the officials.
However, their journey in Bueng Kan was not over yet. They visited one of the oldest temples in Bueng Kan and later went to another temple located very close to Laos. The temple offered a beautiful view of the Mekong River, which is one of the most important natural features in the region.
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Besides visiting the temples, Zelfa also had the opportunity to learn more about Thai culture and enjoy the beautiful scenery around Bueng Kan. She and her mentor teacher took pictures, explored the area, and spent time together. These moments gave them a different kind of learning experience one that could not be gained only inside a classroom.
After spending time in Bueng Kan, they returned and stayed for another two days before eventually going back to Chiang Khan. For Zelfa, this journey was more than just attending an exhibition. It was an opportunity to meet new people, practice communicating in English, learn about education, experience Thai culture, and explore places she had never visited before. From the exhibition booth to the beautiful Three Whale Rocks and the historical temples, every part of the journey gave her a new experience and a new story to remember.
She explained, “Sometimes, learning does not only happen in the classroom. It can happen while travelling, talking to new people, experiencing another culture, and simply being willing to explore something new. This journey to Bueng Kan reminded me that some of the most valuable lessons come from experiences we never expected.”
Source: Nur Khalifah
