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Hill tribe and international students learn from each other
Nopniwat Krailerg
To provide an opportunity for its students to exchange
and learn local cultures, Prem International School arranged the “Ban Tham
and Prem Center Cultural Exchange Program” on September 26, when local
students from Ban Tham school in Chiang Dao district joined Prem’s
students for activities.
Ready to
swim
The cultural exchange program was initiated by Canadian
teacher, Randall Haime, and Stuart Cavaliero, the proprietor of Chiang Dao
Nest Resort in Chiang Dao district, who also teaches English to students of
Ban Tham School. The two invited 19 Phrathom 6 (Grade 6) students from Ban
Tham School and two teachers to join the activities at Prem Center.
 Playing
dodge ball
In the morning session, six senior students, Kannan
Punedran, Jaime Peske, Jessie Ryan, Kylie Nealis, Yui Ratioran, and Kien
Tran joined Prem students in dodge-ball and football at Prem’s gymnasium
and football field. Students were divided into groups to take turns to play
each game, which they seemed to enjoy.
Learning
English and practising Thai
After a short rest, they moved on to practical English
lessons which taught them how to ask common questions such as “What is
your name?”, “How old are you?” and “What do you like?” Senior
Prem students escorted the students and helped with the lessons. The most
enjoyable time for all of them followed, with activities poolside before
lunch which was held at Prem’s cafeteria.
Yes we
are having fun.
In the afternoon, the cultural exchange program began
with Ban Tham School’s students and teachers demonstrating how to make
krathongs from banana leaves (very useful with Loy Krathong coming up).
Randall Haime said the main purpose of the program was to
promote a cultural exchange as most of the Ban Tham students were from hill
tribes, while those from Prem came from overseas such as Malaysia, Vietnam,
Australia, America and Canada. He hoped that all the students had enjoyed
the activities and learnt something useful.
“In future, we plan to arrange these kind of activities in Chiang Dao
district as well to further strengthen relationships between our students
and those of Ban Tham School,” said Randall Haime. “This was not the
first time we have carried out activities in collaboration with local Thai
students. We have done so with many local schools both in Mae Rim and Chiang
Mai city. These activities are part of the CAS (Creativity, Action and
Service) Program, which required students to serve the local community,”
he said. Stuart Cavaliero expressed his appreciation of the program to help
rural students learn and gather new life experiences.
DAAD scholarship-deadline October 15, 2004
Doctoral research offered under joint supervision
Staff reporters
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has informed Chiangmai
Mail that the deadline for applying for scholarships in Germany is
October 15, 2004.
In addition to its traditional programs, DAAD has
established a new scholarship program for doctoral research. Called the
Sandwich System, a joint supervision research model is a flexible
scholarship system, providing financial assistance for doctoral research in
Germany as well as mutual visits by the academic supervisors. The final
doctoral examination takes place in the candidate’s home country.
Although the DAAD does place a greater emphasis on the
applicant’s academic qualifications than on their German language skills,
applicants will nevertheless be expected to take every opportunity to gain
and improve their knowledge of German whilst still in the home country.
A monthly installment scholarship is paid. Its level is
based on the scholarship holder’s level of qualification (as a rule
approx. 35,000 – 47, 000 baht) plus tuition fees in accordance with the
applicant’s academic standing.
Applications for these scholarships are available at the
German Embassy and applicants are requested to submit all necessary
documents not later than October 15, 2004. More information and help can
also be obtained from Mrs. Almuth von Lukas, Faculty of Humanities at Chiang
Mai University. E-mail: almuth .von .lukas@daad.or.th
Mae Fah Luang University opens new Chinese study international dormitories
Staff
reporters
The two international houses have been built at Mae Fah
Luang University Chiang Rai, with Pol Gen Pao Sarasin, the president of the
university, presiding over the ceremony.
The buildings will be used for Sirindhorn Chinese
Language and Cultural Center activities in the campus, with assistant
professor Pritana Pratheepasen, deputy rector of the university saying that
these dormitories were supported by Chinese government which also donated
study materials and equipment for the courses.
Apart from this, the Chinese government also sent its
experts to help develop the course curriculum, as well as being lecturers
for Chinese language courses.
Other donations towards the international houses came
from Prasert and Tassanee Pungkumarn and Anant Assawaphokin.
These donations were presented through HRH Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn for use in the university construction projects when she
visited the university on February 3, this year.
Lanna’s Grade Four class hunts for treasure!
Miss
Candace
In September, my students, my assistant teacher, Julie,
and some parents took a morning trip to Krisda Doi, a beautiful Garden
Resort on the Samoeng Road.
We began our day with a scavenger hunt, and in teams, the
students spread out and found some beautiful treasures. They had to collect
various types of leaves, thorns, pine cones, different color petals and
other interesting items. The rain sprinkled on us but it didn’t dampen the
children’s spirits. They hunted with enthusiasm and were able to find many
treasures without disturbing the gardens.
We followed with a sketching session where the students
had to find the four types of leaves we learned about, and some various
types of plants. Once they found them they had to sketch them which was not
too difficult with a partner and an umbrella to help.
The rain stopped for our picnic lunch, which we thought
was very considerate of Mother Nature. After finishing our lunch we cleaned
up and just had time for a little play before the rain started again and we
ran for the buses. We headed back to Lanna with bags full of nature’s
treasures and some beautiful memories.
USA College Day at Prem draws students from all over Chiang Mai
David
Michaels
Admissions officers from colleges and universities all
over the United States have visited Prem to give students information about
their institutions and the US college selection process. The event was
attended by grade eleven and twelve Prem students as well as those from
other schools in the Chiang Mai area.
 Admissions
officer Lisa Bolick describes the opportunities available at Lynn University
to Latoyah Trindade and Sarah Inta.
The admissions officers were impressed with not only the
facilities at Prem, but also the students themselves. Lisa Bolick, of Lynn
University based in Boca Raton, Florida (which also has a campus in Dublin,
Ireland) commented, “The students asked rich, in-depth questions about the
University, as opposed to the general questions most students ask.”
Following an open forum held in the auditorium, several smaller
information sessions were held on topics such as financial aid and the
college admissions process. One such session, entitled, “How to choose a
school that is right for you,” was led by Brian Wahl of Hawaii Pacific
University. In an open discussion format, he asked students about which
factors were important as they narrowed their choices of universities. Wahl,
ensured his audience that those attending Prem would be highly sought after
by colleges in the United States, remarking, “Students (at American
universities) are enriched by students from an international school.”
Young TV team makes “Kids Only” a success
Sanaepong
Chaichoompoo
Everyone loves a great success story, especially if that
story is unfolding in your own backyard. The residents of Chiang Mai can now
make such a claim.
Throughout its rich history, Chiang Mai has become a city
recognized for many achievements. However, a misconception in Thailand is
that quality television programs can only be produced in Bangkok. One
television show in particular is now working to change that. A new media
production is making waves and carving out a good reputation for itself, and
Chiang Mai for that matter.
Sarah,
Pun Pun, Tan, Champ and Nan, the stars of ‘Kids Only’ - our locally made
TV show that impacts on Thailand in a great way.
To find out more, tune in - with your kids - to TV
Channel 11 every Wednesday, when the new hit television show, “Kids
Only”, airs at 5.30 p.m.
Since its launch on January 7, “Kids Only” has
attracted Thai audiences topping at 1.6 million. These are impressive
numbers for a program that is produced, start to finish, right here in
Chiang Mai by CBN Siam. This energetic program is making a positive impact
on children. Each week “Kids Only” tackles topics that range from music
appreciation and culture, to more serious issues such as how to deal with
loss. The program is hosted by five talented young stars who present these
issues in a way that is both fun and accessible for children.
All the hosts are residents of Chiang Mai and were
selected from over 200 applicants, based on their talent and positive
character qualities. Somporn Moolsan, the senior producer for “Kids
Only”, says, “We chose these hosts to be positive examples both on and
off TV, and especially for the children of Chiang Mai.”
The cast, ranging in age from 10-18, is quickly gaining
popularity and national recognition. In fact, they are currently featured on
the front cover of the popular national magazine, Teen Life.
Although Thailand is quickly taking notice of this
exciting new program and its stars, everyone involved at “Kids Only”
desires to maintain a focus to enrich the community of Chiang Mai and
produce quality programs, to reach out to the local community. Since early
August, the young presenters have been touring schools in the Chiang Mai
area, meeting children face to face, and sharing positive values in a series
of live performances.
This month, they will invite fans from Chiang Mai to
participate in the fun of learning about the media and getting to know the
hosts in a “Kids Only” mini-workshop. School students may apply for
various classes, from acting, dancing, creative thinking to developing
communication skills.
When many parents complain about the lack of role models
in the media, it is refreshing to learn that viewers of “Kids Only” now
have five.
Whether engaging viewers across the nation or reaching out to the
children right here in Chiang Mai, “Kids only”, is a proven asset to its
community.
Table tennis doubles
tournament held at CMIS
Successful inter-school tourney for home school
Vincent
Leutwiler and Tobias Trebing (CMIS student writers)
CMIS was the venue for the inter-school table tennis
tournament last Saturday. 40 students from Chiang Mai International School
(CMIS), Lanna International School (LIST), Prem and Nakhorn Payap
International School (NIS) competed in the CMIS auditorium hoping to claim
the title of the best ping-pong team.
Ping-pong,
pong-ping
The competition was divided into the categories of girls
open, boys 12-14 years and boys 15-18.
The auditorium was filled with students wanting to play
plus their parents who took many photographs of their rising ‘stars’.
51 matches were played with following winning duos
emerging from each category:
Girls open: Mook and Nong (CMIS)
Boys 12-14: Richard and Dow (NIS)
Boys 15-18: Tana and Peter (CMIS)
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