2026 Jnie’s Blog

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, ...

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...

 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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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...