The University of Baguio bid a heartfelt farewell to the seven exchange students from Khon Kaen University – College of Local Administration (KKU-COLA) who have officially completed the international exchange program.The students began their immersion in November 19, 2024, enrolling under the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BAPS) program to continue their training with the university. Under the mentorship of Ms. Beverly Laltoog, the BAPS Internship Coordinator, they also completed their internship at the local government outfits of the City of Baguio, earning valuable professional experience with members of the local government and gaining a profound understanding of the government and legal proceedings of the Philippines through their brief stay in the country.
The culminating activity began with the warm opening remarks of Linkages Office Director Ms. Melanie Rulla Saro, who conveyed her sincere appreciation for their decision to choose the University of Baguio for their international immersion and internship. She continued by congratulating them on a job well done, highlighting their achievements over the last three months and acknowledging their hard work and dedication.
The exchange students giving their concluding testimonies.
Afterwards, the program transitioned to the testimonial portion, where the students were given the stage to share the insights and reflections they had gleaned during their time in Baguio City. From learning parts of the language to forming a stronger sense of independence, the students conveyed the different experiences and learnings that they’ve gathered over the last few months. The buddies from the Political Science program – individuals tasked with showing the exchange students the ins and outs of not just the university, but also the City of Baguio as a whole – also gave their farewell messages following this portion, thanking the students for the good memories they shared and wishing them well on their future endeavors.
Rounding out the program was Ms. Beverly Laltoog’s inspirational message, which highlighted the importance of this experience to the futures of the students. More than just a chance to go abroad, the exchange program gave them the chance to experience the rich culture and practices of a different country, broadening their horizons and allowing them to shape their professional skills through lived experiences.
International Affairs Staff Ms. Angelica Tamayo, from the Linkages Office, also gave her message as one of the coordinators of the exchange program and as the accompanying staff member in charge of ensuring the safe passage of the students from the airport to the university and vice versa. She wished them well on their journey back to Thailand, stating that their time with UB will be cherished not only by the students, but by the supervising staff as well.
The dean of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts, Dr. Aida Dapiawen, bookended the program with her closing remarks. She conveyed the university’s pride in having had played such an important role in their educational journey. Likewise, she also wished the students luck and support as they continue to pursue their degree and become full-fledged professionals in thome country.
As the program came to a close, the students left with bright smiles on their faces, ready to face the next step in their lives. They will be sorely missed, but the University of Baguio was glad to have been a formative institution for their professional and personal development. Their experiences with the university will continue to help it shape its approach to education, ensuring that no matter where its students are from, it will be able to address their needs fully and equally.
Mr. Yordtong Duangsungnoen proudly displaying his certificates of completion
With the departure of the foreign exchange students, the university’s own students will also be returning to the university, completing the exchange initiative in full. This initiative, among many others, ensures that UB maintains the best practices as a world-class educational institution and that caters to students from all walks of life all over the world.
