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Monash University Study Trips
Started in 2004, the
aim of the annual study trips is primarily two-fold. Firstly, student
travelers are exposed to some of the complex and changing social,
cultural and political realities within Malaysia and in the region
through dialogues with various institutions and civil society groups.
Secondly, these trips provide opportunities for students to hone their
interviewing, video documentary and writing skills.
Click the pictures below to visit the blogs stemming from these trips. Siem Reap, Cambodia 2008 Eighteen students from the School of Arts and Social Sciences were in for a surprise as they stepped onto Cambodian soil to experience culture from a whole new perspective.
CKS welcomed the group with an introductory session on Cambodian society and culture on their first day. After the session, the students explored the site of Wat Damnak monastery occupied by Buddhist monks and nuns. The talk by Centre of Housing Rights and Eviction (COHRE) on the second day of the trip highlighted housing rights as one of the most violated human rights in the country. COHRE is an international organization working to defend housing rights violated through forced evictions. The third day saw a visit to the National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival. This organization aims to revive traditional Khmer ways of making ceramic wares. This was followed by a trip to the War Museum where the students encountered an array of weapons used during the Pol Pot regime. Students were free to pursue their own stories in day four, which ranged from shadow puppetry at the House of Peace, the floating village at Tonle Sap, to the views of local citizens on the upcoming general election in the country. Day five took us back to Wat Damnak to learn more about the work of Life and Hope Association (LHA) through an interactive session with Monk Y Nol and Duong Than. LHA provides literacy education and skills training for children and teenagers. Several students continued the day with a visit to a local orphanage, Sunrise Children’s Village where they watched the orphans perform a traditional Khmer dance and presented them with gifts. The most anticipated day was on the sixth day which saw the travelers getting up at 4 am to catch sunrise at the Angkor Wat Temple. Within the Angkor City complex, the students explored various temples including Bayon, Ta Prohm, The Elephant Terrace, and Bat Chum. The day ended with a spectacular view of the landscape of Siem Reap at Bakheng Hill. Five history students from the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) acted as guides. They provided the students with informal background insights into Cambodian history as well as helped out with translations, interviews and everyday activities. During the trip, students braved themselves for a taste of fried grasshoppers, which oddly tasted similar to prawns. Students also enjoyed open air tuk-tuk (motorcycle taxis) rides along the outskirts of Siem Reap, something they would not have experienced in Kuala Lumpur. “This was an amazing trip, an eye-opening experience that may only come to me once in a lifetime” said Aron Raj, former Vice President of the Communication Student Alliance (COSTA). “I was able to further develop my video expertise and train students who are interested in videography beyond the classroom environment.” - by Mindy Wong and Kemi Harahap
Bangkok, Thailand 2005 The School of Arts of Monash University Malaysia together with Communication Student Alliance (COSTA) organized a study trip to Bangkok recently in early July. Entitled, "In Search of Bangkok", the tour comprised of 19 students from the Communication faculty. Equipped with a video camera, note pad and curious minds, they set foot in the capital of Thailand to don the role of novice journalists. Dr Yeoh Seng Guan, who is the Coordinator of the Communication programme, headed the six-day tour, along with the help of course manager Sasikalah Devi Balasingham. "One of the objectives of the study tour is to expose the students to some of the social, cultural and political realities of a neighboring Asean country. Another is to allow students the opportunity of practicing their journalistic and writing skills in an unfamiliar environment" he added. To overcome the language barrier, students from Chulalongkorn University based in Bangkok acted as tour guides and translators. The itinerary involved meeting representatives of various non-governmental organizations and scholars. For example, at the Foundation for Women, students were given insights into issues dealing with the trafficking of women and children within Thailand and around the region. At Duang Prateep Foundation based in Klong Toey, the largest slum in Bangkok, students were given a first-hand account of welfare work extended to slum-dwellers. Near to the famous traveller’s enclave of Khao Sarn, the villagers of Pommahakan related their plight of eviction due to plans of urban redevelopment. Finally, Professor Ubonrat Siriyuvasak, a communications lecturer at Chulalongkorn University provided an update of the challenges of media reform in Thailand. “I think the most significant thing about this trip is the fact that we experienced the non-commercial version of Bangkok. As media students, I think it’s important for us to know the realities behind the representations as portrayed by the mainstream media. I felt it was such an eye-opener to all of us there” said Kerry-Ann Augustin, president of COSTA. Tan Meng Yoe, also a final year student, explained that the planning for the trip started late last year. "I am glad that we were made involved at all stages of the planning as it enabled us to learn to work as a team" he said. “The issues that we explored in Thailand prompted us to think about similar issues in our home country, and to reflect on the work of Thai civil society groups like the Duang Prateep Foundation and their quest to help the less fortunate,” said another student, Sharifah Shazana. Visit to Kampung Chang Lama, Malaysia 2005 A group of 11 students from Monash University recently experienced the lifestyle of the Orang Asli in the state of Perak. Kampung Chang Lama, a Semai community located near to Bidor played hosts to the students. The trip was organised by Dr Yeoh Seng Guan, who is the Course Coordinator of the Communication Program from the School of Arts and Sciences with the assistance of Ms Puah Sze Ning, a final year Communications student. The trip was a follow-up to a Photo and Orang Asli Handicraft exhibition organised a couple of months earlier. Dr Yeoh said that the primary aim of the trip was to expose the students to the culture and concerns of the Orang Asli. “The students showed a high level of enthusiasm throughout, although most of them have not experienced the lifestyle in a rural environment prior to this trip,” he said. Students were given an insight into how, for the Orang Asli, their cultural and economic survival is closely linked to the natural environment. Ms Puah further mentioned that the trip enabled the participants to learn the importance of respecting the belief of others. “We had a very pleasant trip and were overwhelmed by our host’s friendship and hospitality. We were pampered with different types of food and mastered the art of using the sarong,” added Ms Puah. Ms Katrin Shmidt, 23, a second year Science student said that she had a wonderful experience discovering the culture of the indigenous people. “The Orang Asli strongly believe that people who abuse the forest and its wildlife will be subjected to retribution and punishment. Moreover, they are contented with what they have and do not take more than what they need,” said Ms Schmidt. Ms Farhah Isyqi, 24, a second year Communication student said that the trip was educational in terms of getting to know the problems of the Orang Asli community firsthand. “They are very hardworking, approachable and friendly people. I was amazed to find out that they wake up as early as 4am in the morning to carry out their chores. The younger generation is actively involved in spreading awareness on the importance of education among children,” said Ms Isyqi. |