This course aims to introduce students to the practical aspects of life and work in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam by assigning them as an apprentice in a professional institution or organisation.  Students will be required to attend four weeks of regular briefing sessions before departure. These will cover the background of the organisations with which they will work, current in-country situation, and basic skills such as letter writing in the target language and business etiquette.
Before departure students will select an assignment topic in consultation with the coordinator. While participating in the organisation they will collect material for their topic and may begin writing it.

CourseSyllabus

The course which consist of a four week preparation, six weeks of practical in-country assignment, and a session of write-up, will be scheduled as follows:

Week 1: Introduction to current in-country situation and working conditions.

Week 2: Background of topics and organisations for in-country assignment.
Week 3: Basic skills of cross-cultural communications, correspondence and business etiquette.
Week 4: Basic skills on participant-observation and data collections 
Week 5-11: In-Country assignment

Week 12: Workshop on report write-up 

By the end of the program, students are expected to be able to

(a) gain a significant experience and make an academic observation on a professional organization in Indonesia as demonstrated in his/her correspondence and journal

(b) write in the target language a descriptive and reflective essay on the organization and its activities in which s/he participates during the program;

Portfolio of correspondence - 1000 words (20%) in target language

Daily Journal - 2000 words (30%) in target language

Essay - 2000 words (50%) in target language

Six weeks participation in an approved professional organisation in Indonesia or Thailand or Vietnam. Placements will be subject to availability and security assessment.

The preparation section of the course will be delivered in 4 two hour sessions (made up of lecture and workshop).  The in-country assignment will be monitored through regular correspondence

Permission of coordinator (based on Distinction (or above) in a second year Asian language course (or equivalent) or completion of any relevant third year language course.

May be taken at any time after completion of second year language courses (or equivalent) with prior approval of the coordinator.

Eldridge, P. J., Non-Government Organisations and Democratic Participation in Indonesia, OUP 1995, or
Visit Thai Website: http://www.nectec.or.th/directories/org.html#Non

Ability to finance travel to and from destination and pay for a visa and living expenses for the period of participation in the organisation. Students will not receive remuneration for their participation in the organisation.

CourseSyllabus

The course which consist of a four week preparation, six weeks of practical in-country assignment, and a session of write-up, will be scheduled as follows:

Week 1: Introduction to current in-country situation and working conditions.

Week 2: Background of topics and organisations for in-country assignment.
Week 3: Basic skills of cross-cultural communications, correspondence and business etiquette.
Week 4: Basic skills on participant-observation and data collections 
Week 5-11: In-Country assignment

Week 12: Workshop on report write-up