STS Welcomes Exchange Students from Muntinlupa Science High School
It is with great pride that Sunflower Trilingual School welcomed a delegation of 19 Filipino exchange students from Muntinlupa Science High School on July 23rd. Our visitors came from miles away to introduce our students to the fundamentals of journalism, while sharing their culture with us. They were received at the airport by an enthusiastic welcoming committee consisting of STS students who were partnered with MSHS students as “buddies.” Each student was greeted with a Buddhist floral arrangement and a personalized name tag. Opening festivities including a joint school lunch between buddies, as well as an orientation session that brought all of them closer together. The chemistry was evident from the start, and both participating schools look forward to an extended friendship as they participate in the exchange program.
Initiating Our Exchange Students to Thai Culture!
While our Filipino visitors may be here to share their knowledge and culture with us, STS was also eager to return the favor by initiating them to some Thai traditions! After participating in Amazing Thailand festivities as the school prepared for our first culminating activity of the year, MunSci also discovered the ancient art of the Thai massage alongside our Grade 7 students. This included a visit to the Wat Pho school of Thai massage for some personal guidance from experts. Later that evening, MunSci students were treated to a private Muay Thai session offered to them by Big Boss Muay Thai, a local Mahachai gym. We extend our gratefulness to Big Boss Muay Thai for their generous offer and their dedication in giving our visitors an experience they will never forget! This opportunity definitely brought out their fighting spirit and helped them achieve health of mind and body during their stay.
Students Shine During the Borderless Journalism Program
The Borderless Journalism program taught by our visiting students from Muntinlupa Science High School came to a close on July 27th! Both schools got to go down memory lane and revisit the memories they made during the week they shared together. Prizes were awarded for a variety accomplishments. The award for best photography was notable given to our Grade 12 student Porjai, who was praised by Muntinlupa photojournalism staff for her unwavering attention to detail during the Amazing Thailand Culminating Activity. The award for best news piece went to Grade 10 students Jason and Mobile, while the award for best feature went to Grade 12 student Jessica. The main output of the program was a Borderless Journalism newsletter made by our visiting students, who incorporated work written by STS students during the week. The ceremony was also an opportunity for our school director, Dr. Kwantip Chinsettawong, to exchange plaques with Muntinlupa Science High School to officially mark our new partnership as sister schools. Congratulations to all!
A Farewell Journey through Bangkok
All good things must come to an end! To close off a wonderful week spent in the company of our MSHS visitors, exchange students were treated to a field trip through the Bangkok and Samut Songkhram areas. They first visited the world-famous railway market, arriving just in time to watch shop-owners collecting their items to let the train pass by. Students then had the opportunity to taste the best old-style Pad Thai in Thailand in a local, traditional restaurant. The itinerary finally took our visitors to the busy malls of Bangkok, notably Siam Paragon, CentralWorld and IconSiam. Many of us shed tears as we watched them cross the International Departure gate at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. We look forward to reuniting one day with our esteemed new friends from the Philippines.