Written by Dahlia Soriano (STELA)
The University of Baguio has been committed to preparing globally competent educators by providing students opportunities to learn beyond national borders. Since 2015, the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) has sustained an international partnership with the College of Asian Scholars (CAS) in Khon Kaen, Thailand opening transformative opportunities for student-teachers through its Student Exchange Program and Cultural Immersion. This collaboration allows Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) students to undertake their international teaching internship, where they are immersed in Thailand’s classrooms, culture, and community, expanding their perspectives as future teachers. What began as a collaboration to strengthen teacher education has grown into a comprehensive exchange program and cultural immersion that has prepared dozens of UB student teachers to become globally competent and culturally responsive educators.
The primary objective of this partnership is to prepare future teachers for diverse and interconnected classrooms by equipping them with real-world teaching experiences abroad. Student teachers are deployed to CAS-affiliated institutions such as Krasae Pattana School and Phon Commercial and Technical College, where they teach English, conduct classroom-based action research, and engage in both school-based and community initiatives. These activities are anchored on the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST), which guide student teachers in demonstrating professional knowledge, practice, and values in diverse and multicultural learning environments.
This initiative directly contributes to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by showcasing the power of cross-border collaboration in advancing education. It also supports SDG 4: Quality Education by ensuring inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for Thai students, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by equipping Filipino pre-service teachers with global employability skills. The program shapes student teachers into globally aware educators by immersing them in real-world teaching experiences. It strengthens partnerships through the exchange of best practices in education and fosters collaboration across cultures. At the same time, it empowers learners in both Thailand and the Philippines by providing inclusive, engaging, and meaningful learning opportunities that bridge classrooms and communities.
The partnership is made possible through the collaboration of UB STELA, the College of Asian Scholars, and partner schools across Khon Kaen. Together, these institutions provide not only classroom exposure but also cultural immersion opportunities that deepen appreciation of traditions, values, and global citizenship.
Since the program began, it has benefited dozens of UB student-teachers, including the most recent batches of six student teachers in 2024 and five student teachers in 2025. Their contributions include the “English for Fun Fair”, which brought interactive storytelling, games, and music-based lessons to multiple schools; the English Academy, which developed students’ communication skills during school breaks; and specialized training programs for Thai teachers such as English for Business and English for Education. These initiatives enhanced both student learning and teacher development, leaving lasting impacts across communities.
Current and ongoing activities include cultural immersion, interactive language fairs, peer-teacher training, and community engagement programs. These initiatives not only strengthen Thai students’ English proficiency but also enrich UB student teachers with adaptability, cultural awareness, and professional growth—skills essential for their teaching careers and aligned with the PPST indicators for beginning teachers.
Looking ahead, UB and CAS are committed to expanding this international collaboration by reaching more schools in Thailand, increasing the number of student beneficiaries, and diversifying the scope of programs offered. This long-standing partnership demonstrates how education can transcend borders, empowering learners and educators alike, and stands as a living example of SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: a joint commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and transformative education.
