The Rajamangala University Delegation Workshop

The 18-member delegation from Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon arrived at Lander University safely on March 18 last week. It's been a week since we began their a-month-long workshop through the American Language and Cultural Studies program. The worshop will last until April 19.  They are professors teaching in Business College, Computer Information System and Mass Communication in Rajamangala. They came to Lander to enhance their conversational English language ability and learn American culture as a goal of the workshop.  Rajamangala University of Phra Nakhon is one of Lander's Sister Universities, located in Bangkok, Thailand.  The sisterhood relationship established in October, 2011 when the President delegation visited Lander to sign the MOU. 


Their daily workshop schedule keeps them busy with three ESL classes and one lecture each day, Monday through Friday. Once or twice a week, they visit local public schools and local businesses to learn more about the Greenwood community and the different educational system and business from Thailand. Their ESL class instructors are Dr. Sean Barnette, Dr. Amy England, Dr. Pedro Lopes, Professor Alan Professor Judy Bello, Professor Brittany Cuenin and Professor Alan Raines. Also, participating lecturers are Dr. Lee Vartanian, Dr. Stanley Vinson, Dr. Danny McKenzie, Dr. Alice Taylor-Colbert, Dr. Nancy Niles, Dr. David Mash, Dr. Lucas McMillan, Mr. Jeff May and Mr. Paul Crutcher.    

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ESL Classes

First Meeting with Host Families

More pictures for the worshop is available: Click HERE 

For accomodation, the Thai delegates are staying with their American host families in Greenwood to be immersed into the American culture and English speaking environment better. The participating host families are Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Constant, Mr. & Mrs. Martine Fezler, Mr. & Mrs. Stephan and Lisa Wiecki, Mr. & Mrs. John and Sue Mitchell, Mr. &Mrs. Gary and Margaret Gunderson, Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy and Michelle Powers, Ms. Joyce Moak, Ms. Christine Dorsey, Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy and Tracy McGovern, Mr. & Mrs. Jeromy and Elizabeth Crocker, Mr. & Mrs. Don and Macon Turner. They have been doing great to host Thai guests by going to shopping, visiting their grandchild, going out for ball games and more fmaily activities in the evening and over the weekend. Mrs. Fezler says "My adopted Thai sons are so nice and polite. They even cooked Thai food at home for dinner and helped me for the house chores. We've had a good time so far."

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As a part of weekly activities, the delegation visited Lakeview Elementary School on Friday, March 22. Upon arrival, the Thai professors were so suprised with the Welcome Sign in Thai language which on the wall. They felt so welcomed and warm by the Southern Hospitality.  Mrs. Christi Louden, Principal, welcomed the group at the welcome session and the delegation had opportunities to visit many classrooms with different grades. They had lunch at the school cafeteria as well. Furthermore, Dr. Darrell Johnshon, Superintendent of Greenwood District 50  came out to greet the Thai delegation. Throughout their workshop, they are scheduled to visit Westview Middle School this Wednesday and Greenwood High School on April 12.   
 

The Rajamangala delegation plans to travel ranging from Columbia to Charleston over the next weekend, April 5-6. They plan to visit the SC State House and meet the State Treasurer and then travel the historic city, Charleston. Also, please save the date for their presentation on Thailand and its culture on April 8. 


Culture Exchange: Thailand 
@4-5pm Monday April 8 
Learning Center, Lander University