On March 11th, the 2023 Qujing Normal University Internship Program in Thailand Report Meeting was convened at the university. In attendance were Shen Qianfang, Deputy Dean of the School of Humanities, Shan Yalan and Yang Liquan, faculty members from the Chinese International Education Department, Deng Yan, Deputy Dean of Jinbu College, Wang Yongjing, Deputy Director, and teacher MS POTNPAWEENAKUL THAWORAMON, along with relevant personnel from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Tong Pinsheng, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange.

China and Thailand have historically enjoyed close economic, political, and cultural ties, with the phrase "China and Thailand are like one family" capturing the essence of their amicable relationship. As China's economy rapidly develops and its comprehensive national strength grows, so does its international influence. The Chinese language is playing an increasingly vital role globally. It has long been a mandatory subject in Thai schools, and the demand for Chinese language teachers in Thailand has been on the rise in recent years.

This program, a joint initiative between Qujing Normal University and Jinbu College, aims to provide students from Qujing Normal University with opportunities for teaching internships in Thailand, broadening their international perspectives and offering a platform to showcase their talents and effectively share Chinese stories in Thailand. The project received significant support from the Thai Ministry of Education's Non-Formal Education Commission, which assisted and participated throughout the entire process from project initiation to the end of the internship, achieving very positive results.

Through participation in this program, intern students not only immerse themselves in the deep experience of multicultural integration but also receive high-quality pre-service training and practical training from Thai counterparts, enhancing their professional qualities. Throughout the internship, professional team teachers from Jinbu College provided full professional guidance and tracking for intern students in teaching and life in Thailand. After the training, they can also obtain officially recognized professional qualification certifications from the Thai side, with the internship certificate personally issued by leaders from the Thai Ministry of Education.

It is reported that due to the professional teaching level and good comprehensive qualities of Qujing Normal University students, they have left a positive impression on the local internship schools. This internship was also commended by the Thai Ministry of Education, with the Secretary-General of the Non-Formal Education Commission personally awarding certificates to the intern students. At the same time, they became the first batch of foreign Chinese language teachers to be accepted by the Thai Professional Qualifications Audit Institute.

The participants of the 2023 Qujing Normal University Internship Program in Thailand all come from the Chinese International Education major of the School of Humanities at Qujing Normal University. Through this project, the students have gained a lot, not only improving their professional qualities but also gaining social practice outside their major. Wang Yu, a student, believes that through the internship, she deeply realized that the work of Chinese international education is not a matter for one person alone; it requires everyone to work together, and reasonable division of labor can carry out teaching work more efficiently. Secondly, in the workplace, etiquette in dealing with people is also an indispensable ability for international education. Yu Wenjuan, another student, believes that her online internship at Jinbu College in February was a special experience, allowing her to try this special teaching method, enriching and accumulating experience for future teaching, and realizing the difficulty of lesson preparation. Zhao Xue believes that through the internship, she experienced the challenges and joys of cross-cultural teaching, gained a lot of growth and insights, and made many outstanding peers and students. This internship experience will be a valuable asset in her future career, and at the same time, it has strengthened her determination to engage in the cause of Chinese international education. In the days to come, she will devote herself to this work with more enthusiasm and professional quality, contributing to the promotion of the Chinese language and the dissemination of Chinese culture.

The implementation of the 2023 Qujing Normal University Internship Program in Thailand has broadened the international horizons of Qujing Normal University students, improved their practical abilities and global competence, and laid a solid foundation for future job seeking and further studies. The Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at Qujing Normal University participated fully from pre-departure education, pre-service training, on-the-job management, to post-project return visits and summaries, helping students better understand the policies and requirements for going abroad, orderly advancing the project, and ensuring the successful completion of tasks.

It is understood that the 2024 Qujing Normal University Internship Program in Thailand is currently being launched. Next, the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at Qujing Normal University will conduct a more in-depth cooperation with Jinbu College, conduct market research on the demand for Chinese language teachers in Thailand, and select students from different majors such as Chinese, Thai, physical education, art, and preschool education from the entire university to join the project according to the needs of schools at all levels in Thailand. This will explore new paths suitable for Qujing Normal University students to go abroad for employment and further studies, and improve the high-quality opening level of Qujing Normal University's education. (Author: Zhang Yan)