Blog Article: Crossing Borders, Building Bridges: A Day of Dialogue and Discovery at UiTMCK
Lavanya S
Highlight Summary: On Day 2 of the English Language Exchange Program at UiTMCK, PSU Pattani students explored workplace communication and intercultural understanding through hands-on learning, interviews, and creative presentations in an immersive international setting.
The second day of the English Language Exchange Program unfolded with a seamless blend of collaboration, conversation, and cultural connection at Universiti Teknologi MARA Kelantan (UiTMCK). As the sun rose over Kota Bharu, students from Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, dressed neatly in uniform and equipped with notebooks and curiosity, prepared to immerse themselves in a new day of learning alongside their Malaysian counterparts.
Key figures from both universities gathered to mark the start of the day, including Assistant Professor Dr. Warapark Maitreephun, Assistant President for Research and Social Mission at PSU Pattani, who led the PSU delegation. Their presence was warmly welcomed by UiTMCK administrators and faculty, creating a spirit of shared purpose. Staff from both sides ensured the day flowed smoothly, checking in participants, overseeing transitions, and guiding learning activities with quiet dedication.
The program officially opened with national and university anthems from both countries, setting a respectful and celebratory tone. Speeches from UiTMCK leaders and PSU representatives highlighted the shared goals of cross-cultural learning and meaningful academic exchange. A moment of camaraderie followed as souvenirs were exchanged and a group photo captured the partnership in action.
The morning sessions began with a lecture on intercultural communication. An essential skill in today’s globalized world. Students listened closely, taking in concepts that would soon be tested in practical application. Guided by lecturers, they then divided into twelve groups and dispersed across various UiTMCK departments from administration to research and technology, where they conducted short interviews with local staff.
The interviews were the heart of the day’s learning. Each student took on an active role: asking questions, listening attentively, and taking notes, all in English. These interactions, though brief, were deeply engaging. They offered a window into the real-life workings of Malaysian workplaces, while allowing students to practice authentic English communication in a supportive environment.
By midday, the energy shifted from fieldwork to reflection. Groups reassembled in classrooms, analyzing the information they had gathered. Laptops opened, sketches were made, and ideas flowed. Each team crafted a digital e-poster summarizing their findings on workplace issues from communication gaps to team dynamics and prepared to share them with their peers. These e-posters were later uploaded to YouTube, leaving a digital footprint of their learning journey.
Lunch offered a welcome pause before the group boarded the bus to Kota Bharu city, where they continued their mission-based learning with a cultural and social excursion to AEON Mall. While students explored, shopped for souvenirs, and completed light-hearted "missions," the atmosphere remained focused yet relaxed. The day wound down with hotel check-in and some well-earned free time by the riverside.
Though structured around language learning, the day’s activities quietly cultivated deeper competencies, observation, empathy, teamwork, and the confidence to step outside comfort zones. Thanks to the efforts of both UiTMCK and PSU staff, this second day became more than just an academic exchange; it was a lived experience of international collaboration, one meaningful conversation at a time.
