By Asst. Prof. Analiza Perez-Amurao, PhD, PGDip

Almost a decade ago, when HLD was in the early stage of developing the program and I was asked about what an ICIC course, then-ICCU, should focus on as far as Southeast Asia was concerned, a lot of things were racing in my mind. I thought about a million and one things that would be great to include.

One thing that stands out to me up until now is the idea that ICIC students need to know more about the region they are coming from and the issues and practices situated in Southeast Asia.

When my ICIC 251 Contemporary Southeast Asia: Cultural Studies class visited Museum Siam last November 11, I realized that the collegial decision we made back then was just about right. While ICIC students are exposed to the eastern and western culture courses that the program offers them through the relevant classes and activities, curricular—co-curricular and extra-curricular— it is imperative that a closer look at who they are and where they are located is done.

Our museum visit that Saturday morning wasn’t, of course, the first time that my ICIC 251 students got exposed to things Southeast Asia. Over the many terms I have taught the course, my students would have the chance to visit other cultural organizations, such as ASEAN Cultural Centre, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and several other virtual museums in the region during the pandemic.

And every single time my students would conclude our cultural visit, they would always be beaming with stories on how the trip has helped open their eyes, learning more about the regional cultural practices or items in ways not usually possible within the four corners of a classroom.

Several ICIC students commented:

            The visit to the museum is a great opportunity because someone like me might never attend it myself. (Lawitra)

            Personally, the museum has helped me to gain more knowledge about the ‘Thainess’ term to deepen critical analysis, opinions and thoughts. (Kanwara)

            It was a great opportunity to explore Thainess from different angles and elements. It [allows students to] gain more understanding and appreciate visual images in comprehensive ways. (Talay)

As a regular feature of ICIC 251, visiting museums and art centers and knowing about the mosaic-like cultural make-up of Southeast Asia is indeed worth one’s visit.