Miss Apaporn Puchpan

Faculty of Language and Communication
 National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA)
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM REPORT
During 25 March - 17 May 2002
 
Name: Apaporn Puchpan
Graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Language and Communication
Institution: The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Secretariat
Period of Internship: 25 March-17 May 2002
Mentor:  Dr Mardhatillah Mardjohan, Programme Officer (Evaluation)
Programme and Marketing Department
 
I. Purpose of the Internship
The purposes of the internship at SEAMEO Secretariat are as follows:
• To practice advanced reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through the use of English as a medium of communication in a workplace
• To apply knowledge of communication through an interaction with people who are from different cultures
• To develop career skills to meet an international standard
 
II. Description of Tasks
Following are four areas of tasks assigned and actions have been taken during an internship.
1. Documentation.  Tasks required to accomplish:
• Draft letters: Letters to SEAMEO Centres on Centre Directors Meeting 2002.
• Proofread speeches and statements delivered at 37th SEAMEO Council Conference.
• Prepare certificates for participants: Training on Management, Mathematics, and English.
2. SEAMEO Community Involvement Programme.  Support Programme Officer (Evaluation) who has been involved in the Programme as a Project Coordinator for the following activities:
• Plan an English camp for students and an English training session for teachers at Ban Subsanoon School, Muak Lek, Saraburi.  SEAMEO Secretariat has adopted this school under SEAMEO Community Involvement Programme.  The programme aims at assisting the school to achieve its sustainability in teaching and learning processes.
• Coordinate teaching activities with trainers including NIDA and Canadian interns.
• Coordinate with Project Supervisor for teaching advice.
• Coordinate with a contact person at Ban Subsanoon School for assistance regarding teaching facilities.
• Prepare handouts and questionnaires for students and teachers attending the English Camp and the Training.
• Prepare teaching syllabus and materials.
• Conduct two sessions of teaching at the English Camp: Treasure Hunt and One Stop Shopping.
• Arrange meetings to follow up the plan and finalize the programme and activities for the English Camp and the Training.
• Keep filing related documents.
 
3. Learning Activities.  To gain knowledge and experience through learning major events taking place at SEAMEO.
• Learn the core and yearly SEAMEO Meetings: Centre Directors Meeting, High Officials Meeting, and SEAMEO Council Conference.
• Learn responsibilities in other department at SEAMEO Secretariat upon intern’s interest.
• Learn system of correspondence from drafting, editing, and sending to SEAMEO Centres for their information and perusal through e-mail.
• Learn related correspondence as a guideline for drafting a letter: President of SEAMEC’s  Visit, Centre Director Meeting, Letter of Request for Approval for Canadian interns to participate in teaching activities at the English Camp.
 
4. Secretarial Work.  To gain secretarial skills efficiently and professionally by accomplishing the following areas of tasks:
• Prepare documentation as well as practice word processor skills.
• Communicate with associates and non-associates on telephone in English and Thai.
• Arrange meetings and necessary documents for participants.
• Receive guests visiting Programme and Marketing Department.
• Support the Director’s inquiry on Thailand statistical data.
 
III. Accomplishments
 
Task Action Made Given by Whom Remarks
Documentation 1.
2.

3.		 Drafting letter
Proofreading speeches/statements
Preparing certificates		 Dr Mardhatillah Mardjohan  
SEAMEO Community Involvement Programme 1.
2.
3.


4.		 Planning activities
Coordinating
Preparing syllabus and teaching materials
Preparing handouts		 Dr Mardhatillah Mardjohan  
Preparation of Handouts for Technical Writing Training Programme Search  for useful information from textbooks and on the Internet Dr Nora Quitulio, Programme Officer (Development)
 		  

IV.
Problems Met and How Solved
 
I never faced serious problems throughout the internship.  However, I was able to request useful advice from the mentor while I was working.  In addition, I could benefit from the knowledge and skills of other sources such as the library, the Internet, and the professional staff at SEAMEO Secretariat.  It is recommended that communication skills are important for the benefit of good cooperation from colleagues.
 
V. Insights/Knowledge Gained
 

Although the period of the internship is quite short (nine weeks), I was able to gain sufficient knowledge and experience to be able to apply in the future.  Following are details of the knowledge I have gained from the internship.

Language ability.  As a result of applying linguistic knowledge and skills in the assignments, I have developed language proficiency to meet satisfaction.  I have improved listening and speaking skills through an interaction with international associates and management.  My writing is also improved since I have been exposed to international related documentation such as letters, memoranda, and e-mail messages.  I have had an opportunity to learn various writing styles and useful expressions from them.

Communication skills.  Through the interaction with international associates and management, I have developed an understanding of cultural differences existing in an organization.  I also have learned to deal with situations in which I had to find ways to solve problems.

Documentation and correspondences.  I have learned a variety of formats, styles, and expressions used in international related letters, memoranda, and e-mail messages.  I wish to apply the knowledge I have gained to make correspondence in my future career.

Teaching experience.  I have learned new ways to teach beginners when I had an opportunity to participate in the English Camp.  It taught me how to prepare lessons and teaching materials and make them appropriate to the learners.  I am happy to be able to apply my knowledge background in teaching and contribute to the students at Ban Subsanoon School.
 
VI. Conclusions ( Did SEAMES meet you expectations?)
 
I have achieved valuable experience from the internship at SEAMEO Secretariat.  It taught me to be confident for working in the future and for my master’s programme studies as well.  I appreciate the advice from my mentor as well as his kindness. I believe I have been prepared to step ahead with confidence in my future career.  In terms of language, I have totally improved my listening and speaking skills.  I gain more confidence when I interact with foreigners and am able to give responses with no fear of making mistakes.
 
VII. Recommendations ( Focus on the things that would improve future internship of Thais Interns)
 
I would like to recommend the Thai interns to focus on the integration of competence and working experience during an internship to improve themselves and make the benefits useful for their studies and future careers as well as for SEAMES’s activities.
 
VIII. Future Plans
 
I wish to apply the experience from the internship to my teaching profession in the future.  I joined the activities existing in a workplace such as SEAMEO Secretariat to learn and understand intercultural and organizational communications.  I can now apply the knowledge and can pass it on to students when teaching in the future.


Personal Data

Miss Apaporn Puchpan has completed a BA in English at Kasetsart University, Bangkok.

Prior to her assignment to SEAMES, Apaporn has held a number of positions with Walailak University including Annual Report Committee member, Walailak University Delegation team member, Video Presentation Committee member, Committee member of the Exhibition for Jewish Hebrew Scripts and Ceremonial Objects, Website Committee member and Public Speaking Club member. Apaporn was also a member of the Committee of Language Development Project, she held the position of International Relations Officer and worked as English tutor at Walailak University. Futhermore, she held positions of part-time lecturer at Bangkok University, part-time English instructor at Princess Chulabhorn’s College, Foreign Officer for Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd. and news translation trainee at the Foreign News Division of the Department of Public Relations.

Apaporn has also attended numerous seminars on topics such as technology in education, English language instruction and higher education.

From her extensive work experience Miss Puchpan has acquired excellent skills in leadership, instruction, communication and public relations.

Last updated: 28 January, 2003   arrow.gif (1001 bytes)

 

 

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