UDC was the only U.S university to participate in Bangkok Sister City Youth Program 2011 in Thailand.

From Marcy 23-31, 2011, four students and one faculty chaperone from the University of the District of Columbia participated in the Bangkok Sister City Youth Program.  Mankah Angwafo, Reggie Davis, Rashid Hughes, and Adanna Quashie joined students from around the globe to address sustainable living practices, research studies, and pioneering techniques initiated by the King of Thailand.  Together with Professor Taharee Jackson, each student explored the agricultural innovations, energy alternatives, and “sufficiency economy” methods of the Thai people. They also enjoyed lessons in Thai cooking, dance, language, dress, and even kickboxing!  The group visited several of the Royal Development Study Centers throughout the country, the King’s own royal palaces, and world-renowned landmarks and attractions. 

Most importantly, participants forged new and lasting relationships with students and city representatives from a multitude of cities and have plans to continue tackling global problems and cultural divides by planning and attending a 5-year reunion. The Thai government officials, staff, and student interns who served as hosts and hostesses treated each UDC representative like fellow dignitaries, and their extraordinary service and hospitality will never be forgotten.  The students and faculty look forward to participating in this life-changing academic and cultural exchange for years to come!

Mankah Angwafo, Reggie Davis, Professor Jackson, Adanna Quashie, and Rashid Hughes (L to R) post at Thailand’s Grand Palace.  The world-famous attraction contains the Emerald Buddha, the country’s most sacred image.

Rashid Hughes, Mankah Angwafo, Adanna Quashie, Reggie Davis (L to R) and friends pose in traditional Thai dress.

Reggie Davis receives a lesson on how to play Thai instruments.

Mankah Angwafo receives a little help learning to play a Thai musical instrument at the Bangkok Youth Center.

Rashid Hughes has a lesson in traditional Thai dance.  He later showcased his new skills to the song “Loy Kra Thong.” 

Mankah Angwafo prepares to showcase her skills after a lesson in muay Thai kickboxing at the Bangkok Youth Center. 

Adanna Quashie and friends from other sister cities with Bangkok such as Fukuoka, Japan; Hanoi, Vietnam; Seoul, Korea; and Shouzou, China hunt and find treasures at Hua Hin Beach, a popular destination for Thai families.

Adanna Quashie actively learns how to deconstruct and reconstruct a dam at the “Check Dam” royal initiative.  The system of living and movable dams are placed in mall creeks to slow down the flow of water during flooding and to trap the rich sediment as high-quality topsoil for planting.

Reggie Davis, Mankah Angwafo, Rashid Hughes, and Adanna Quashie (L to R) enjoy themselves in a courtyard of the Royal Chitralada Palace, the residence of the King of Thailand.  They had just experienced wonderful demonstrations of the making of paper, natural charcoal, beeswax candles for use in the royal palace, vetiver grass erosion barriers, and products made from mushrooms, spirulina, and other foods grown at the palace.

Reggie Davis, Adanna Quashie, Professor Jackson, and Rashid Hughes (L to R) enjoy their last laughs as they bid farewell to the Bangkok Sister City Youth Program.  Fortunately for them, both Thai students pictured plan to pursue degrees at UDC in the very near future!

Each student was placed into groups and was responsible for gathering data and planning a final presentation based on all they had learned for a large audience including Thai government officials. Reggie Davis, a natural leader, takes the floor to present with an international group of fellow students.  They discuss alternative energy sources, sustainable practices, and multiple innovations as part of the King of Thailand’s Royal Initiative Projects.

Adanna Quashie, Rashid Hughes, and Reggie Davis pose with the Deputy Governor of Bangkok at City Hall.  After her opening remarks and warm welcome, students again enjoyed her presence at “Bangkok for Japan:  Together we Care,” an international fundraiser at one of Bangkok’s largest outdoor venues.  Proceeds of the event, attended by the highest ranking officials in Bangkok and Japan, went to victims of the tsunami and flooding in affected Japanese prefectures.