Lander University held a farewell dinner recently for a group of educators from Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon in Bangkok, Thailand, who left for home after completing a one-month American Language and Cultural Studies institute created by Lander's Office of International Programs. Rajamangala is one of Lander's 11 sister schools in Asia.
Dr. Sung-Jae Park, dean of international programs, said the 18 members of the visiting group are faculty members and deans of the schools of business administration and mass communication technology. He said this was one of the first groups from Thailand to visit South Carolina.
Ralph Patterson, Lander's vice president for university advancement, said Rajamangala University gave The Lander Foundation a donation of $68,400 to pay for the group's visit.
During their stay, they attended English classes and presentations focusing on American business, history, politics, health care and culture. They were also taken on tours of local schools, the State House in Columbia and sites in Charleston. They also shared information about their homeland and Thai culture with Lander students, faculty and staff.
When they weren't in classes or touring the area, the Thais lived with host families in the Greenwood area and McCormick.