Loei Province, Thailand – In a day filled with excitement, two internship students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo (UMSIDA), Rishma and Radit, participated in the “Soft Power Camp” event held in Loei province (29/09/2024). Rishma, who teaches at Ban Loei Wangsai, and Radit at Anuban Chumchon Phukradeung, represented the schools where they are currently interning. Alongside them, eight other internship students also took part in the event.
This event was part of the internship program they are participating in while in Thailand. The event’s primary goal was to enhance students’ English language skills through active learning methods, aiming to improve their language proficiency through interactive activities.
During the “Soft Power Camp,” students were introduced to cooking a traditional dish from Loei, called “Joom Thai Loei.” The cooking session was conducted in English, guided by the internship students and their mentor teachers. The students had the chance to learn how to cook while receiving instructions in English, combining both language learning and practical skills.
The event was attended by students from eight different schools in Loei province, where the internship students are placed. Each school sent ten students, making a total of 80 participants. The event began at 8:00 AM and concluded at 3:00 PM. At the start of the activity, the students were divided into several groups, with each group accompanied by a mentor teacher and an intern student. They were first introduced to the ingredients and cooking tools in English. Following the explanation, the students began cooking “Joom Thai Loei” under the guidance of their mentors.
Once the cooking session was over, the participants enjoyed lunch together, sharing the dishes they had prepared. This moment fostered a relaxed atmosphere and strengthened the bonds between students, intern students, and teachers.
To close the event, a video was played documenting the cooking process from each group. The video highlighted the fun and creativity the students experienced during the activity, creating a sense of pride for all involved. The Soft Power Camp 2024 was a significant moment in the UMSIDA internship program in Thailand, providing students with an opportunity to enhance their English language skills in a fun and practical way.
Writer: Rishma Anggraini