Teacher In-Country Fellowships to Asia (TICFA) Program Thailand Study Tour A student monk from the Sukhothai Monk School, Thailand, January 2001 | Leader/s | Dates | Outline | Past Participant Comments | The Asia Education Foundation's (AEF) TICFA Program is a professional development program that aims to provide Australian educators the opportunity to experience first hand the peoples, cultures and issues of the countries of Asia and to enhance skills and discipline knowledge of the studies of Asia. The Asia Education Foundation's (AEF) TICFA Program is a professional development program that aims to provide Australian educators the opportunity to experience first hand the peoples, cultures and issues of the countries of Asia and to enhance skills and discipline knowledge of the studies of Asia. The Thailand study tour exposes participants to the contrast between the capital city of Bangkok to the rural and historical sites of Kanchanaburi, Surin and Sukhothai provinces. Participants will prepare a series of simple English lessons to teach in Thai schools throughout these provinces. The tour begins in the metropolis of Bangkok and will include visits to key cultural and important sites such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and a briefing from Australia's Ambassador to Thailand. A visit to Thailand's provincial capital, Surin, will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about rural, development and consumer issues as well as participating in traditional weaving workshops. It is here that participants will partake in a 2-night homestay in a rural village. The final destination, Sukhothai, Thailand's first capital, boasts many of Thailand's impressive historical ruins and the opportunity to take part in a series of workshops including cooking and rice planting. The tour will end in the historical Kanchanburi province, known for the Allied prisoners of war and the building of the Death Railway during World War 2. It is a time for participants to consolidate and reflect upon their experiences. Go to the top of the page Tour Leader/s Ms Maureen Welch, Asia Education Foundation Ms Supreya Blyth, Asia Education Foundation Tour Dates The dates of the 2002-2003 TICFA tour to Thailand are: Date of departure from Australia is Saturday 28th February 2002 Date of return to Australia is Friday 15th January 2002 Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these dates are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Tour Outline Day 1 Bangkok Depart Australia to Bangkok Day 2 Bangkok Group briefing before visiting the Chatachuk Weekend Market Day 3 Bangkok Tour of Grand Palace followed by a briefing on Thai Education at the Rajabat Institute Day 4 Bangkok Visit the Australian Embassy with a briefing from Australia's Ambassador to Thailand followed by teaching workshops at St Joseph's Convent. Overnight train to Surin Day 5 Surin Visit Dek Rak Pa (Children Love the Forest) Environmental Project Day 6 Surin Homestay briefing. Met homestay family and travel to village with homestay host Day 7 Surin In village with homestay family Day 8 Surin Homestay de-briefing followed by a visit to the Tatum district (Mun River Wetlands) and home to traditional elephant raisers Day 9 Surin School visit and teaching workshops Day 10 Khon Kaen Depart Surin by mini bus, arrive Khon Kaen and hotel check-in Day 11 Sukhothai Depart Khon Kaen for Sukhothai. Lunch at Pitsanulok and visit Wat Prasirattanamahathat (big bronze Buddha) Day 12 Sukhothai School visit and teaching workshops. Visit dramatical arts school and si-satchanalai historical park Day 13 Sukhothai Cooking and weaving workshops and working on the farm including the Padi fields and picking of local fruit produce Day 14 Kanchanaburi Free time/ curriculum development. Fly Sukhothai to Bangkok. Travel by bus to Kanchanburi Day 15 Bangkok Visit and briefing at the Australian Government Prisoners of War museum Day 16 Kanchanaburi Tour of Erawan Falls before returning to Bangkok Day 17 Bangkok Free Time/ curriculum development Day 18 Traveling Group de-briefing and evaluation before flying Bangkok to Australia Day 19 Australia Arrive Australia Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these details are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Past Participant Comments Thank you for organising such a wonderful experience. I am sure that there will be no other like it in my lifetime and the highlights have been many and varied. There was always something to be extracted from every experience, opportunity and site visit that gave me a boost and a clearer understanding of the people, the country, the system or myself!! Kay Katsivas, Klemzig Primary School, SA The itinerary enabled us to visit different parts of the country - from the city experiences of Bangkok, to the rural homestay in Surin and the historic parts of Kanchanaburi and Sukhothai. This exposed us to the various cultures, people and issues that make up Thailand. Pauline Tuckerman, St. Anthony's Parish Primary School, ACT Getting out of ones comfort zone is an enriching experience. The tour offered me a first hand opportunity to gather knowledge of culture, geography, history, environment and the way of life in Thailand. Some of my stereotypes were challenged and personal growth experienced. Susan Wise, Launceston Church of Grammar School, TAS This program has affected me more that I could have imagined. It was truly an overwhelming experience with the homestay being the highlight. Rachel Walsh, Haileybury College, VIC This tour has certainly opened my mind in a global sense in that my teaching will now contain a far greater diversity of experiences for my students to relate to. My own traveling and teaching are now craving 'Asian' input and I am in the process of negotiating a return visit to the village of my homestay. Being a music specialist I found the tour to be of exceptional benefit as such a large part of traditional Thai culture revolves around Music and The Arts. Adrian Beard, Acton School, TAS This tour gave me an opportunity to see the 'real' Thailand away from the tourist trail. It gave me a good insight into Thai life, the people, way of life, language and food so that I can use it during my lessons. Jennifer Kilby, St. Joseph's School, NSW Go to the top of the page Contacts Further information on the TICFA program is available from: Ms Kristi Sheldon, Manager, In-Country Programs k.sheldon@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Mr Aaron O'Shannessy, Project Officer, In-County Programs a.oshannessy@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Asia Education Foundation Sidney Myer Asia Centre The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia Telephone: 03 8344 4800 Facsimile: 03 9347 1768