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

A few months after I had stepped down from my 6-year role as Chair of the Humanities and Language Division (HLD), Ms. Pichaya Neeranadpuree, a former Intercultural Studies and Languages (ICIC) student of mine, emailed me, bearing some good news. As things turned out, Pichaya managed to have her entry to the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) 25^th Anniversary Essay Competition included in its 2023 book publication.

She shared,

            “My initial goal was to improve my writing skills and take a chance to

            experience the real world of academic writing. I expected nothing but self

            growth, so I was beyond thrilled to hear that my writing will be included in the

            ASEF essay compilation book.”

ASEF’s official website describes the organization as “an intergovernmental not-for-profit organization which brings together the peoples of Asia and Europe to address common global challenges.”

My conversation with Pichaya first started in February of this year when I announced via ICIC students’ Line group about the ASEF Essay Competition for 2023. There were other students who responded to the call, but it was Pichaya who pursued it.

With the help of fellow HLD lecturer Aj. Kevin Hart, Pichaya, nicknamed Ling, took to task writing an essay on a theme determined by the organizers in celebration of ASEF’s 25^th  anniversary. Divided into two categories, the competition attracted people from diverse backgrounds as they articulated their insights on the topic “The Future of Asia-Europe Cooperation.”

Fast forward to eight months after the event and Ling excitedly shared with us the good news that her essay entitled, “The Importance of Asia-Europe Ties: Promoting Diverse Cultures” had already been published and that she just received a copy of the book.

When asked about Ling’s achievement, Aj. Kevin has this to say:

            “It was a pleasure working with Ling as she developed the essay.  What’s so

            wonderful about the finished piece is that it admirably incorporates so many of

            the skills we cultivate in the Intercultural Studies and Languages major: it

            considers the importance of cultural exchange, speaks effectively to multiple

            audiences, and thinks through its topics with a degree of reflection and rigor

            that demonstrates real presence and engagement.  The reader can sense the

            care and intelligence that Ling has learned to bring to the craft of critical

            thinking and communication.”

Ling looked back at how she prepared for the competition and what her inspirations were, saying:

            “I drew on what I have learned in class as an intercultural studies student as

            well as my prior visits to art and cultural centers in both Asia and Europe to

            write this essay on the importance of diverse culture promotion. Having

            dedicated my school years exploring cross-culturalism, I’m glad I could

            muster all my ideas and develop them into one potential approach to

            enhancing the future relationship between Asia and Europe.”

ASEF’s 2023 competition was participated in by a judging panel that involved the ASEF Governors of Australia, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland and Thailand, and the ASEF Executive Director.

Prior to Ling’s participation in the ASEF Essay Competition, Aj. Kevin and I had already looked into other opportunities for ICIC students, including the Asian English Olympics in Indonesia in January of this year. There had been preliminary conversations on how to fund participation in an international competition. However, because of the anticipated logistical challenges a week-long international competition would cause both the students and their mentee, it did not materialize.

As such, with the ASEF Essay Competition having been instrumental in Ling’s becoming a published author, it has further convinced me that we were heading in the right direction.

Asked about what she thinks about the support she received from HLD and the ICIC Program, Ling remarked:

“I would like to thank Aj. Analiza for the constant encouragement for ICIC students including myself to keep pursuing experience both inside and outside the classroom. Also, my utmost gratitude goes to my writing mentor Aj. Kevin who guided me to achieve proper academic writing, empowering use of original ideas.”

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Interested in acquiring a multicultural experience? Do you have a talent for languages? Or do you see yourself as a published author or an intrepid journalist someday? Then click this link now and learn more about MUIC’s Intercultural Studies and Languages (ICIC) major: https://muic.mahidol.ac.th/eng/programs/undergraduate-programs/humanities-and-language/major-in-intercultural-studies-and-languages/