RMUTT hosts Filipino Cultural Exchange Program
by Erika Uy
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) hosted a cultural exchange program. Three students under the College of Liberal Arts and Communications (CLAC) from De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D), namely Sionna Avellaneda, Michelle Tiongson, and Erika Uy,travelled to Thailand to experience the country’s unique culture and share what makes Philippines the way it isto the Thais.
During their stay, they noticed some similarities and differences between RMUTT and DLSU-D. These include the following:
• RMUTT has a vast campus, which is about four or five times bigger than DLSU-D.
• RMUTT has four gates, while DLSU-D has three. There are security guards located at every DLSU-D’s gate.
• RMUTT has trams to transport students, guests, and faculty around the university which is free of charge. On the other hand, DLSU-D has jeepneys called Ikot La Salle (which literally means “Around La Salle”). A ride on Ikot La Salle costs six Philippine pesos.
• While RMUTT has a different faculty per major/course, DLSU-D has seven colleges: College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCS), College of Liberal Arts and Communications (CLAC), College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM), College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT), College of Education (COEd), and College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA).
• RMUTT’s standard uniforms are white blouse and black skirt for girls, and white polo and black slacks for boys. The skirts’ lengths vary and depend on what faculty the female students come from. DLSU-D requires their students to wear white blouse and emerald green pants for girls, and beige santana polo barong and chocolate brown slacks for boys. They also need to wear closed black leather shoes.
• In RMUTT, there is a 7-eleven inside the campus. DLSU-D also has one, but it is located outside the campus, near Gate 1.
• Smoking is allowed in RMUTT, given that the students/faculty/guests are outside the buildings. On the other hand, DLSU-D neither promotes nor allows anyone to smoke inside the campus.
• In training the students, RMUTT focuses more on hands-on learning, while DLSU-D relies on the technical aspect of learning.
This cultural exchange program was an enriching experience for the Filipino exchange students. This rare opportunity was more than just seeing Thailand’s tourist spots, learning the basic Thai phrases, and tasting Thailand’s famous dishes. Moreover, this program helped them to meet new friends, experience the warmth and generosity of the Thais, and impart their knowledge about the Filipino culture to them.
