NIDA Internship Report, Aree (Tik)

Introduction
I had an internship at SEAMEO Secretariat under the supervision of the Publications Officer, Mr.Willfredo O Pascual, Jr from 20 March to 4 May 2000. Initially, I was unsure what he assigned me to do and how the trust that he gave me in my hands to assist him. After working with him for a while, I found that he treated me as his real assistant not just a student intern. He assigned me to work in the real workplace. In addition, he is the great mentor who gave his intern with productive and stimulating learning environment. At the same time, I was able to contribute my ideas in his work.
Acknowledgements
The objective of the internship course is to provide the student with the practical work experience in the student’s area of interest under professional supervision of the instructor and the supervisor. I could not meet the aim of the internship without the significant contribution from Dr.Somsak Boonsathorn, my instructor The success of internship owes much to the support and the supervision of Mr.Wilfredo O Pascual Jr, my mentor. I would like to thank SEAMEO Secretariat and the staff for the helpful contribution. I am also very grateful to Dr.Suparak Racha-Intra, Director, SEAMEO Secretariat, Mr.Abdul Wahid bin Sulaiman, Deputy Director( Programme and Marketing) and Dr.Kantatip Sinhaneti, Information Officer. The support from my family and friends is gratefully acknowledged.
Abstract
The aim of the course LA 801 Internship is to provide the student with work practical experience in the student’s area of interest, working under professional supervision of the instructor and the supervisor on the job. To meet the objectives, Ms.Aree Wongkhaluang chose to have an internship at the Southeast Asian Minister of Education Secretariat (SEAMES). The internship duration started from 20 March to 4 May 2000. The internship course was successfully completed under the supervision of Dr.Somsak Boonsathorn, the instructor and Mr.Wilfredo O Pascual, Jr, the mentor. This report proposes the summary report of Ms.Aree Wongkhaluang ’s internship at SEAMES about the objectives, the job descriptions, the accomplishments, the gained experience, and recommendations.
My Objectives
My objectives and expectations in the internship at SEAMES are as follows:
To have the practical work experience under professional supervision To apply what I have learned in the classroom at NIDA to an actual work setting To improve my English language skill, both spoken and written To gain the experience in the workplace of the international organization especially the intergovernmental organization like SEAMEO. The international work experience will keep me a step ahead in the job market. To work with professional staff from different cultures and languages and to learn the cultural differences and its relative influence on their perception and behavior.
My Job descriptions
During my internship period, my mentor has been responsible to produce the inaugural issue of the official journal of SEAMEO, Journal of Southeast Asian Education. I was assigned to assist the publication officer to proceed and complete the production of the Journal of Southeast Asian Education. The aim of the publication of the Journal is to promote the interchange of ideas on educational issues, and comparative studies, both within the countries of the region and between these countries and other parts of the world. The content of the Journal not only consists of 10 articles from SEAMEO Member Countries but also some other parts i.e. the statistics, maps, the information about SEAMEO etc. The Journal of Southeast Asian Education is published twice a year in February and August. SEAMEO Secretariat is planning to launch the first issue of the Journal on July 2000.
I was also responsible for the preparation of marketing material for the upcoming World Education Market. The World Education Market is the Educational Fair which is held in Vancouver, Canada on the end of May. The event is dedicated to the International business of education. The World Education Market will provide a one-shopping forum, showcasing educational resources for all levels and ages of learners. In addition, I was assigned by Dr.Kantatip Sinhaneti, Information Officer to cooperate with my colleague, Ms.Chombongkoch in the preparation of SEAMEO for the World Education Market and in the secretariat tasks. Moreover, SEAMEO Secretariat gave me the opportunity to attend the valuable meeting and workshop.
My Accomplishments
The main assignment I accomplished is the production of the Journal of Southeast Asian Education and the preparation of SEAMEO for the World Education Market in Vancouver, Canada. The completed Journal will be launch on July 2000.
Following are the tasks that I completed:
Journal of Southeast Asian Education
coordinated with the Ministry of Education of Lao and Vietnam for requesting of the inputs needed of the Journal requested for inputs needed of the Journal from the Embassies of SEAMEO Member Countries in Thailand conducted a research on the inputs needed for the Journal in the library and on the Internet i.e. statistics, maps etc. proofread and formatted the articles and other inputs of the Journal on the disk coordinated with the printer on the publication of the Journal; the format and other printing specification of the Journal
Preparation of SEAMEO for World Education Market
proofread the text for marketing material ( brochure ) re-wrote the information of the services of SEAMEO Networks that is input in the website of the World Education Market ( www.wemex.com ) coordinated with other SEAMES departments for the preparation and packing other marketing material (i.e. banners, mousepads, polo shirts, flags, etc.)
My Experience Gained
Although I had the work experience from the airline company before studying at NIDA, I still want to gain the new professional experience in the intergovernmental organization. To meet my expectation, I choose to have an internship at SEAMEO Secretariat. The internship at SEAMEO Secretariat fulfilled my dream. Followings are the experience I gained from the internship:
1.	I had the practical work experience under professional supervision. I had been intern under the Publications Officer, Mr.Wilfredo O Pascual, Jr. He treated me as his real assistant. I was capable to contribute my ideas and insights in his work. At the same time, he provided me with productive and stimulating learning environment.
2.	I applied what I have learned in the classrooms at NIDA to an actual work setting. I used the knowledge that I acquired from the courses i.e. Methodology, Business Communication, English for Business and Technology etc. in my job.
3.	During the internship at SEAMES, my English language skills both spoken and written were developed. My writing and reading skills were improved and enhanced as a result of working on the production of the Journal. In addition, my English speaking was practiced through coordinating with the Ministries of Education outside Thailand and the Embassies of Southeast Asian Countries for requesting the remaining inputs needed of the Journal.
4.	I have known the real working process of the intergovernmental organization. Moreover, the internship at SEAMES appeared on my resume will keep me a step ahead of my competitors in the job market.
5.	Working with people from different cultures and languages allowed me to learn the cultural differences and its relative influence on their perception and behavior. The experience also taught me how to deal with the problem caused by the cultural differences.
6.	The experience I got from the internship was also patience and adaptability. Coordinating with the governmental organization does not always turn out exactly as you plan, you have to be patient and adaptable to handle the working problem and time management.
7.	My internship confirmed my setting career goal that I really want to work in the intergovernmental organization.
Summary
In conclusion, there are many things that I have learned during internship. My supervisor is the great mentor who gave me a good chance to practice in the real workplace. I have known the real working process of the production of the journal and I am proud to be even the small part of the production of the Journal of Southeast Asian Education. SEAMES and the staff provided me with an opportunity to use my knowledge and skills in working. The internship is the invaluable experience that I cannot find from the classroom. Furthermore, the internship is not only the knowledge outside the classroom but it also opens my worldview wider.
Recommendations
SEAMES suggested that the time frame of the internship course be reexamined. SEAMES and I felt that an eight-week would be more productive than the current six-week duration of the internship.