JTH students on exchange in Bangkok: "Incredibly enriching"

About ten students from the School of Engineering (JTH) at Jönköping University (JU) are doing their exchange semester at JTH's partner universities in Bangkok this spring. Many of them have combined their studies with an internship or by doing their thesis at one of JTH’s many partner companies in Bangkok.

“My time in Thailand has been an incredibly enriching experience, both personally and professionally,” says Johan Pettersson, who study Industrial Engineering and Management: Logistics and Management at JTH.

The student exchange is taking place through the JTH International Campus (IC), which offers all JTH students an exchange at one of the school's partner universities in countries such as the USA, Mexico, Brazil and Thailand. Many students combine their studies with an internship or degree project at a partner company. Johan Pettersson has been representing the European Chamber of Commerce (EABC) in Bangkok during his internship. The EABC offer advice and other resources that can help European companies navigate the Thai business environment.

“I have been able to meet Thailand's Board of Investment to discuss business opportunities, investments and collaborations between Europe and Thailand. It has given me a unique insight into the Thai market and its potential growth opportunities,” says Johan Pettersson.

Swimming with sharks

Last winter he participated with several JTH students at a business and networking meeting in Bangkok with the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce, JU and a number of companies. Aside from business meetings, Johan Pettersson has also taken part in adventures during his free time, such as swimming with sharks. Should he get a little homesick, he knows several stores that sell Swedish sweets and snacks or he can take a trip to IKEA to eat mashed potatoes with meatballs.

Oscar Kullberg who also study Industrial Engineering and Management: Logistics and Management at JTH has been working to contribute ideas and solutions to logistics-related projects at the company MuvMi in Bangkok.

“I was involved in developing systems that were then implemented in their operations,” he says.

He work there three, four days a week and study at Rangsit University once a week.

Lunch for SEK 15

He has been taking courses such as "Integrated Marketing Communication", "Cross Cultural Management" and "Export-Import Management", which he feels are relevant to his education at JTH. The courses are given in a building that houses the international studies programmes at Rangsit University, where the exchange students also have their dining room and eat lunch for SEK 15.

In his spare time, Oscar Kullberg and his classmates like to do some sightseeing in Bangkok and try out the local Thai cuisine. They have access to both a rooftop pool and a gym in the house where they live.

“If we have time on the weekends, we usually take the opportunity to discover other parts of Thailand, such as some of the country's islands, he says.

"Will give them an advantage"

Roy Andersson, who also is Associate Dean of Internationalisation at JTH, points out that students gain international experience from both studies and work through the JTH International Campus (IC), which will give them an advantage in a future labor market. In addition, they get to experience another country and gain life-long memories.

"Companies also have a lot to gain from receiving our students. They get help in developing their business and can find new employees. They also get access to our research and our networks at JTH," he says.

Read more about JTH International Campus here