Development of ASEAN Awareness among Thai Students through a Study Abroad Program in ASEAN Countries

Abstract

The development of a sense of ASEAN awareness through an ASEAN study abroad program has been a major focus of the higher education institutions of Thailand and ASEAN. This study investigates the development of ASEAN awareness among Thai students through the study abroad experience in ASEAN. This study used a web-based survey conducted with two groups of students: 1) ASEAN study-abroad Thai alumni, and 2) non-ASEAN study-abroad Thai students. The results indicate significantly higher scores of ASEAN awareness among ASEAN study-abroad alumni than they did for the non-ASEAN study-abroad group. However, no significant association was found between ASEAN study abroad experience and students' engagement with ASEAN. This study partly supports the intergroup contact theory. An ASEAN awareness-raising program towards the non-mobile Thai students, an ASEAN-student social networks-related program, other platforms of educational exchange (an internship, e.g.) should be promoted.