From 29 August – 12 September 2025, the Global Relations Division, in collaboration with the International Student Club, organised a series of activities for welcoming news international students for the first semester of academic year 2025.
The engaging and interactive activities were designed to help new full-time and exchange international students learn about the university and Chiang Rai from multiple perspectives, adapt more smoothly to their new environment, and ease homesickness and culture shock. With Thai and senior international students volunteering as buddies, the programme fostered mutual learning, cultural exchange, and collaboration—essential skills for future careers. The activities also expanded student networks and promoted an international atmosphere on campus.
The activities included:
• French Dessert Workshop: co-hosted by the French – Upper Mekong Sub-region Academic Cooperation Centre, students learned more about French culture through cooking.
• Drip Coffee Workshop: co-hosted by the Tea and Coffee Institute. Students learned how to brew drip coffee and sampled beans cultivated in Chiang Rai, a province renowned for its tea and coffee plantations.
• Canvas Bag Painting Workshop: co-hosted by the Institute for Mekong Basin Civilization, Art and Culture, where students designed and painted their own bags with traditional Lanna patterns.
• Chiang Rai Discovery Tour: a one-day trip to iconic landmarks in Chiang Rai, including Black House Museum, Blue Temple, White Temple, Singha Park, and Central Plaza Chiang Rai, offering students an immersive experience of the province’s natural beauty scenery and cultural heritage.
• Play for Rights and Sustainability Activity: co-hosted by the MFU Human Rights Club and Mae Fah Luang University Model United Nations (MFUMUN), this activity introduced students to the concept of Model United Nations (MUN) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an engaging and fun way.
These activities successfully introduced new international students to both the university and local culture, creating a warm and supportive environment. By encouraging cultural exchange and collaboration, the programme laid a strong foundation for students' academic journey and personal growth, ensuring a smooth transition into university life.
