My Experience under Short-term Exchange Campus Asia Program in Lao PDR (In Leavsovath)

Going to Laos was one of the best decisions I have made to strengthen my fieldwork skills and prepare myself for a career in the development field. From 17th August to 14th September 2025, I participated in a short-term study program under Campus Asia at the National University of Laos (NUOL) and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos, together with seven fellow students from Kobe University.

During the first week, we attended an intensive course offered by the Faculty of Economics and Business at NUOL. Professors, many of whom had extensive international experience and academic training in Japan, provided us with valuable insights into topics such as the Lao economy, household economics, green finance, etc. One of my favorite courses during this period is related to Small-Medium Enterprise development in Laos as relevant to my previous work as a policy researcher and it is very important to human capital in technology and entrepreneurship field.

Moreover, the highlight of that week was the Campus Asia Symposium held at NUOL, which brought together leading experts and researchers from partner universities to share their work and perspectives. The sessions offered valuable insights into regional educational challenges and research trends. I had the chance to exchange contactsand expand my network with scholars from the Campus Asia university network, as well as with professionals from international development agencies, opening possibilities for futur collaboration. I also connected with exchange students from the Ogawa Seminar, helping to strengthen our bond before their arrival at Kobe University.

Over the following three weeks, I completed internships with the Education Coordination Unit (ECU) under the Ministry of Education and Sports. We were warmly welcomed by the ministry and had the opportunity to engage with several departments, including General Education, ICT, and Early Childhood Education. I also visited a number of international development organizations such as the World Bank, JICA, ADB, and UNICEF, where I gained valuable first-hand insights into their work in Laos. It was a great honor to serve as student leader, delivering a speech and presenting a Kobe University souvenir to the Senior Education Specialist at the ADB office.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was visiting both public and private schools, which allowed us to gain deeper insights into the Lao education system. I was able to observe both similarities and differences compared to schools in Cambodia, particularly regarding school rules, standardized curricula, and other practices. In addition, we visited the Nam Ngum Reservoir Hydropower Dam to learn how Laos generates and manages its electricity. The ECU also organized cultural and educational field trips in Vientiane Capital and Vang Vieng, which further enriched our overall experience.

Another exciting activity, supported by the ECU at the request of Ogawa-sensei, was the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in several elementary schools. There, I interviewed and surveyed teachers and parents about their engagement in their children’s learning. This experience allowed me to observe differences between public and private elementary schools, particularly in terms of facilities, parental involvement, and school activities that support child development from nursery to kindergarten 3. Overall, this program was an exceptional experience. I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this journey, especially to Professor Keiichi Ogawa for his support for me to apply in this program, Campus Asia faculty members and as well as the people in Lao PDR for their dedicated efforts in assisting me and my fellow students. Their support made this program a truly memorable and inspiring chapter in both my academic and professional development.