ISU Students Gain Interdisciplinary Experience in Thailand’s Tourism Industry and Build Global Mobility
Facing the trends of higher education internationalization and Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, ISU once again fulfills its commitment to “integrating learning and practice” this summer by launching the “2025 New Southbound Internship Program.” An interdisciplinary team, comprising the Department of Tourism Intelligence Services and Technology, the Department of Hospitality Management, and the Department of Mass Communication, embarked on a 14-day overseas internship from June 29 to July 12 in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Through cross-domain learning focused on “language proficiency,” “cultural competence,” and “professional expertise,” the program cultivates students’ mobility and learning capability.
Led by Dr. Chung-Neng Lin from the Department of Mass Communication, the team visited Lion Travel’s Thailand branch, Shangri-La Chiang Mai, and the Taiwanese-owned “68 Guest House.” Students gained in-depth insights into local tour planning, hospitality operations, and cultural services through group projects, interviews, and hands-on practice. The program not only strengthened their language proficiency and industry awareness but also enhanced their cross-cultural understanding and professional application skills. Beyond corporate visits, the itinerary included culinary workshops, field observations, and city culture tours. Students further engaged in video documentation, social media content design, and feature reporting courses, cultivating global perspectives and practical competence through immersive learning.
Hsing-Ju Chen, a student from the Department of Hospitality Management, shared: “By taking part in the culinary workshops and observing local food and beverage operations, I gained a deeper understanding of the cultural logic and practices behind hospitality management in a different country. It also encouraged me to reflect on the intercultural knowledge and managerial mindset required in my field, significantly enhancing my practical skills and global perspective.” Wei-Wei Chin from the Department of Mass Communication added, “Working on assignments with students from other departments taught me how to communicate effectively and understand different viewpoints. This process taught me to integrate expertise across disciplines and developed stronger teamwork skills.” Dr. Chung-Neng Lin remarked: “Although many students initially felt uncertain about the language and cultural barriers, once immersed in the experience, they showed remarkable adaptability. They conducted interviews, shared their observations, and fully demonstrated the value of this field immersion program.”
ISU has long promoted the New Southbound education initiative, integrating teaching resources with international internship platforms to enable students to enter global industry settings while still in school. Looking ahead, ISU will continue to expand its educational collaborations with Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and beyond, establishing an Asia-Pacific learning ecosystem. ISU is committed to cultivating global talents equipped with language proficiency, cultural understanding, and professional practice skills, thereby realizing its educational vision of advancing social responsibility and international competitiveness.
