What a difference a change in venue can make.  This year, by holding their English Summer Camp at the Arrupe Centre in Huay Tong, in the Mae Wang District in Chiangmai Province, the Jesuits in Thailand were able to take their camp to a new level.

According to the program’s chaplain Fr Vinai Boonlue SJ, the change of venue was to provide a multidimensional setting for the students to learn, and to help them become more aware of nature and their immediate environment.  The camp is usually held in Seven Fountains, the Jesuit spirituality centre in Chiangmai. 

Suriya Dipour, on-site project manager, agreed that the change made a significant difference.  “The students have more concentration and participation here [Arrupe Centre] than they did at Seven Fountains. In the city, after finishing classes, they went on their way. But at Huay Tong, they talk together, share ideas and help each other by talking in English often, and this makes them develop their English faster.”

In addition, the Arrupe Centre was set up to promote learning and life skills for young people and adults, with the support of the surrounding village community, which helps the program towards its goal of creating new leaders among the Chiangmai Catholic Students Network, and forming men and women for others.

This year’s camp was held from April to July.  The 36 students began their day with Morning Prayer, surrounded by nature.  They had three class sessions in the morning and another two after lunch. 

Their teachers were young graduates from abroad who had volunteered for the program. This year, there were six volunteer teachers from Australia for the first two months and another six from France for the next two months.

After classes, there were group activities that included working with the village community surrounding the centre.  Villagers taught the students how to cook local food, how to plant vegetables, how to raise pigs and chickens.  In the evening, the students would have dinner and would practice writing and speaking in English together. The day would end with reflection and thanksgiving. 

This year, rice planting was a new activity and the students got the chance to grow the rice that would feed their camp.  For many of them, working in the rice fields was a new experience and an important step towards adulthood and self-sufficiency.

The time at the Arrupe Centre was a time to learn and grow, for both the teachers and students.

A volunteer from France reflected on her experience: “I do not only teach [the students] English, but I also learn a lot from them. We become brothers and sisters. I will never forget them.” 

And a student summed up his experience well when he said “I want to thank the foreign teachers who teach me, and Khun Suriya who guides me in my studies. I want to thank them very much. Also I thank Father Vinai with all of my heart, because he gives me everything. I hope God is always with him in his study and his life.”