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LUMEN
Josephians and teachers at the Thai Air Force Museum
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP : A CULTURE AND SERVICE EXPEDITION IN BANGKOK
By
Bhaskar Krishh ( FN403 ) and Gareth Chng ( MN403 )
Global Citizenship : A Culture and Service Expedition in Bangkok
After a slightly turbulent two-anda-half-hour flight , our group of almost 40 Josephians and five accompanying teachers landed safely at Bangkok ’ s Suvarnabhumi Airport in the late afternoon . Experiencing Thai hospitality the very instant we stepped off the aircraft , we were greeted by two amiable tour guides who helped us surmount the language barrier during our stay .
Following a brief shopping spree in a mall nearby , we were treated to a buffet with over a dozen options by our host – the Asia Airport Hotel . With our fill of delicious Thai cuisine , we grew in appreciation of Thai culinary culture and palate .
Over the next two days , we were based at a school in the Pathum Thani province , bearing the hope of making a positive difference to the local community .
At Si Yaek Bang Toei school , we split up into four smaller groups to engage Thai students ranging from three to 15 years old in recreational and educational ventures . Whether it be playing sports and games such as duck-duck-goose , gardening in the school ’ s backyard , revamping the school ’ s library , hosting art and drawing activities , giving English lessons to the younger students , sharing about Singapore ’ s iconic landmarks ; Josephians and the Thai students enjoyed the days together . As one of the Thai students put it , “ I wish our normal school curriculum could be taught this way !”