Posts

Intercultural Development Continuum

This week’s lesson on the Intercultural Development Continuum (IDC) helped me better understand how people develop intercultural awareness and learn to appreciate cultural differences. The IDC explains how people move from seeing the world mainly through their own cultural perspective to understanding and adapting to different cultures. The stages include Denial, Polarization, Minimization, Acceptance, and Adaptation. As a Thai student currently visiting Japan, I have experienced many cultural differences that helped me connect the theory to real life. One of the biggest differences is cleanliness. In Japan, there are very few public trash cans, yet the streets remain extremely clean because people are expected to take responsibility for their own waste. Public transportation is also much quieter than in Thailand, and trains are known for their punctuality. These differences surprised me when I first arrived. One experience that stood out to me was using public restrooms. In Thailand, ...
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Intercultural Perspectives on Dating and Relationship Norms Questionaire

Living in Japan as an exchange student made me notice many differences in dating and relationship culture compared to Thailand. In Thailand, people can stay in the “khon kui” (talking stage) for months without officially dating, while relationships in Japan often seem more private and reserved. Since I also regularly visit Korea, have Korean friends, and watch many Korean variety shows, I became interested in how relationship norms can differ across cultures in Asia. I have always been interested in learning about different cultures, which is why I chose this topic for my research. Because of these observations, I created a survey called “Intercultural Perspectives on Dating and Relationship Norms.” The survey explores topics such as relationship progression, exclusivity during the talking stage, and public affection among university students from different cultural backgrounds. Through this research, I hope to better understand how culture influences modern relationships and dating ex...
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An Intercultural Perspective of Inviting Guests

 This week’s lesson made me reflect on how inviting guests is closely connected to culture, privacy, and social values. Comparing Thailand and Japan, I realised that although both cultures value politeness and respect, the meaning of hospitality can be very different. In Thailand, inviting friends to your house is usually casual and common. Many Thai people are comfortable with guests entering their homes, opening the refrigerator, eating snacks freely, or staying for long periods of time. Growing up in Thailand, I often experienced a relaxed atmosphere when visiting friends or relatives. In some households, maids or house helpers help manage cleaning and groceries, so hosts may not feel stressed when guests suddenly visit. Thai culture emphasizes friendliness and flexibility, so visitors are often encouraged to “feel at home.” In contrast, Japan feels much more private and structured. Many Japanese rarely invite others into their rooms or homes unless they are extremely close. I...
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Ice cream survey

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Cultural “Other” Awareness (Concept)

This week’s lesson about Cultural “Other” Awareness made me think more deeply about how people from different cultures communicate and understand each other. As a Thai student currently studying in Japan, I noticed both similarities and differences between Thai and Japanese culture, especially when meeting people for the first time. In Japan, first meetings are usually formal and polite. People often introduce themselves carefully, bow, and use respectful language. In Thailand, people are also polite, but interactions usually become friendly more quickly. Thai people often smile, use nicknames, and speak in a more relaxed and informal way, even during first meetings. Another interesting difference I noticed between Bangkok and Japan is how people interact with strangers and neighbors in daily life. In Bangkok, especially in modern areas, many people live in private housing estates or condominiums surrounded by walls and security systems. Because life in Bangkok is already very social...
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Game review

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Papa’s Freezeria Papa’s Freezeria is a casual time-management game where players work in an ice cream shop on a tropical island. The main goal of the game is to serve customers by creating customized sundaes based on their orders. Players take on the role of an employee who must manage multiple tasks, including taking orders, mixing ingredients, adding toppings, and serving the final product. The game becomes more challenging as more customers arrive and orders become more complex.  Goal of the Game  The goal is to satisfy customers by accurately preparing their orders and serving them quickly.   Players must carefully follow each order ticket, from choosing the correct ice cream flavors to adding the right syrups and toppings. Timing and precision are important because customers will rate your performance. Higher ratings lead to better tips and progress in the game. As the days go on, new ingredients and customers are introduced, making the gameplay more engaging.  ...
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Sleep and Rest in Japan and the World

This week’s topic made me reflect on how differently people approach sleep depending on culture, especially when comparing Japan and my own background in Thailand. From the Sleep in Japan documentary, one thing that stood out was how common it is for people in Japan to sleep in public spaces, like on trains or even at work. This concept, often linked to “inemuri,” shows that being present is sometimes more important than being fully awake. It reflects a hardworking culture where rest is taken whenever possible rather than scheduled. What was really surprising for me is seeing how some places in Japan even have nap times or nap rooms. The last time I experienced anything like this in Bangkok was back in kindergarten. Now, the closest thing I see are just coffee areas or phone call rooms, not actual spaces meant for rest. It made me realize how differently rest is integrated into daily life. In contrast, in Thailand, sleep is more private and associated with proper rest at home. Sleep...
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