Learning Democracy Beyond the Classroom: From Shy Observer to Global Delegate

When reflecting on the most significant aspects of the Thailand field trip, it is challenging to narrow them down to just one or two experiences. This field trip felt like a true leap into the unknown, as it was my first time ever leaving Europe and my first time experiencing Thai culture. Despite the leap, I adapted surprisingly well to the change in food, temperature, time zone, and language.

One particularly memorable moment was having dinner at a table with Thai lecturers and students. During the meal, they taught me how to eat Thai food in the traditional way, using a fork and spoon, and explained the meaning of each of the dishes we ate. They told me about life in Thailand, and I shared details about the UK, mostly focusing on the food. During the meal, they very kindly switched between Thai and English to include me in the conversation. While I made an effort to use one or two simple phrases I had learned during the trip to avoid coming across as the stereotypical ignorant English tourist, I also appreciated their consideration.

Another significant aspect of the trip was the KUMUN. Initially, I was quite anxious about it; however, I ultimately found it to be a very rewarding experience. Delivering the opening speech as a delegate for Pakistan gave me the opportunity to strengthen my public speaking skills and build confidence in presenting to an international audience. Additionally, the KUMUN also presented itself to be an excellent opportunity to meet numerous Thai students and exchange social media details with them, allowing me to establish and strengthen international connections. KUMUN also provided an excellent real-world example of what we had been learning in class, as concepts of global governance, diplomacy, and civic engagement were put into practice in the simulation.

Learning about Buddhism was another highlight for me, as I have always wanted to deepen my understanding of other religions to become more culturally aware and broaden my perspective on the world. Our guides, Scotty and Cartoon, answered our numerous questions as we explored temples and museums, enabling us to gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist beliefs, practices, and their impact on Thai culture and daily life. One thing I learned that I found particularly interesting is that Buddhism encourages individuals to discover the path to enlightenment for themselves, rather than simply accepting teachings at face value, a principle that differs from other religions I am familiar with.

On the final day, Ramzi and I had an unexpectedly memorable trip to Chatuchak Park, where we quickly realised that parks in Thailand are quite different from those in the UK. Only about ten minutes into our visit, we decided it would be a good idea to head off the path into thick tropical overgrowth. Not long after this decision, we realised that we had accidentally wandered into what seemed to be the home of several huge, well-camouflaged lizards. Realising that we had made a mistake, we ran back to the path, laughing with a mixture of fear and shock, and later coined the creatures’ dragons. After that, we spent hours wandering the park, mesmerised by the diverse plants and animals we had never seen before. The park was lively, with people participating in a variety of activities, including outdoor gyms, group dance classes, and what looked to be a traditional sport neither of us had ever encountered before.

The trip was a culturally rich and unforgettable experience. Immersion in Thai life allowed me to learn in ways that a classroom never could, while also building meaningful relationships with my classmates. Our shared experiences brought us closer together, making the journey both rewarding and memorable.

Joshua Morton