Short-term international programs often compress learning into academically focused schedules, limiting opportunities for embodied cultural engagement. This challenge raises broader questions within cultural studies about how participants encounter and interpret cultural expression in mobility-based education. To address this gap, the present study explores how accessible forms of Thai traditional dance—simple rhythmic movements, foundational gestures, and introductory regional styles such as Fon and long-drum dance—offer culturally meaningful practices that foreground embodiment, participation, and relational interaction.
This study investigates how introductory Thai dance activities support cultural learning and contribute to Thailand’s soft power presence. Using a mixed-methods design, data are collected from 100 international students in a short-term program at a Thai university between February and April. Quantitative data, gathered through Likert-scale questionnaires, assess enjoyment, engagement, and cultural interest, while qualitative insights derive from voluntary open-ended reflections from 25–30 participants. Dance sessions, facilitated by the Thai Dance Institute, are integrated across thematic modules to extend cultural experience beyond classroom-based learning. Quantitative responses are analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative reflections undergo inductive thematic analysis following established coding procedures to identify emerging interpretive patterns.
Findings highlight three outcomes: (1) enhanced appreciation of Thai cultural traditions through embodied interaction; (2) increased comfort and group connection fostered by low-pressure participation; and (3) emerging intercultural openness as students reflected on cultural nuances embedded in movement practices. Overall, the study suggests that accessible Thai traditional dance activities can enrich short-term international programs by deepening cultural understanding and reinforcing Thailand’s soft power visibility.

Authors:
Worada Apirat, Mahidol University, Thailand
Phanita Pooteang-on, Mahidol University, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Phanita Pooteang-on is a Short-Term Program Organizer at IA, MUIC. Her interests include cultural immersion and experiential learning. Her current project focuses on integrating academic and cultural components in short-term programs.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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