A cross-border encounter and engagement with Asia-Pacific students:

Quidez brings home international friendship from UMAP Camp

Privileged to be among the 42 delegates in the 1st UMAP International Discovery Camp held on July 30 to August 7, Ms. Kemjie Quidez, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student of the Tarlac Agricultural University, has expanded her horizons on cross-cultural engagement in an immersion and cultural discovery program for students from UMAP member-universities.

The UMAP Discovery Camp 2016, proposed and approved by the UMAP Board in its meeting last May 2 to 6, 2016 which was attended by TAU’s Director for External Linkages and International Affairs at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, was organized and sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education in partnership with the De La Salle University, Ateneo De Manila University and Lyceum of the Philippines. 

“I am so grateful that the University has nominated me to join this program. This made me develop my global and cross-cultural communication skills and enhanced my multicultural competence. I became more aware on environmental issues, multicultural adaptability and climate resiliency. I hope to share my experiences to my fellow TAU students and encourage them to take chances in cross-cultural mobility programs such as this,” Quidez disclosed.

Anchored on the theme, “Building Environmental and Cultural Awareness in the Asia Pacific Region Through Philippine Indigenous Environment, Culture and Arts,” the nine-day interactive, educational camp is designed to enhance the participants’ knowledge, skills and attitude on climate realities and resiliency, as well as experience and appreciate cultural diversity in the arts, cuisine, music and dance.

The program provided the opportunity for university students to experience a meaningful and enjoyable exchange of significant information on relevant environmental issues in our society, to gain knowledge and understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines and the unique culture of its indigenous people, to build a strong community promoting the UMAP programs and activities and to promote friendship and cooperation among the youth in the Asia-Pacific Region. These were carried out through well-designed forums, workshops, field trips, study visits, heritage tours, and cultural presentations.