A first-year AB Philosophy student, Ms. Victory Kate A. Valenciano, participated in the two-week Global Skills 2026 Program hosted by Assumption University of Thailand from 18 to 29 May 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ms. Valenciano was the only Filipino student to join the program, which was organized by Assumption University in partnership with the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).
“I joined the program not because I had a background in business, but because I have always believed that genuine learning happens when you step outside what is familiar. Being the only Filipino in the room pushed me to represent not just myself, but our school and our culture,” Ms. Valenciano shared.
Cultural Immersion in the First Week
The first week of the program focused on cultural learning and direct engagement with Thai traditions. Participants were introduced to the Thai language and joined a guided tour of the campus. They also took part in hands-on activities, including a traditional cooking class where they prepared Pad Kra Pao, or basil stir-fry, and Tom Yum Goong, or spicy shrimp soup. They were also introduced to Muay Thai.
Excursions to Chinese and Buddhist temples gave participants a deeper understanding of how Buddhism is practiced in Thai daily life. The group also attended a classical performance at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater, where Thailand’s national epic, the Ramakien, was presented through elaborate costumes, masks, and live music.
Industry Visits and Global Commerce
The second week shifted to business and industry exposure. The group visited four major enterprises: Thai Tai Rubber, ThaiNamthip, Coca-Cola’s bottling partner in Thailand, i-Tail, and BKF Aerospace. These visits gave participants a firsthand look at full-scale production processes, supply chain management, and the growing use of Industry 4.0 technologies.
“I came in as a Philosophy major with very little knowledge of how industries operate. But seeing robots handle packaging and learning how these companies moved entirely to cloud-based systems made me realize that the questions Philosophy asks about efficiency, ethics, and human purpose are very much alive on the factory floor,” she said.
Ms. Valenciano noted that the experience helped her understand the urgency of digital adaptation in today’s global market. She also shared that the exposure was especially meaningful because her academic background is outside the business disciplines.
Environmental Advocacy and Community Engagement
One of the highlights of the program was the visit to the TerraCycle Thai Foundation, an organization that works to address plastic pollution in Thailand’s canals. Participants worked with local teams to collect garbage from polluted waterways and learned how to classify and segregate recyclable materials from non-recyclables.
“That afternoon at TerraCycle was humbling. We were not just observers. We worked alongside the community, sorted garbage, and learned how data can be used to educate and mobilize people. It reminded me that environmental responsibility is not an abstract ideal. It is something you do with your hands,” she reflected.
This engagement with Assumption University offers a promising foundation for future collaboration in areas such as student exchange, joint academic programs, and research. The Ateneo de Davao University takes pride in the initiative and representation shown by Ms. Valenciano, whose participation reflects the University’s continuing efforts to expand global learning opportunities and form graduates who are competent, socially responsible, and engaged with the world.