Student exchanges break down barriers

A Thai teacher with limited understanding of the Chinese language, Jariya Unthong reversed roles to enroll in Guangxi University in 2017 to study Chinese international education.

Married to a Chinese man, the 34-year-old had worked at the Guangxi University of Foreign Language for nine years teaching Thai. "Curiosity about the history and culture of China has grown on me," Jariya said.

When she began teaching Thai at the university, Jariya said she knew almost no Chinese language. She started to pick up some Chinese from her students. When teaching them Thai words or phrases, Jariya asked her students to tell her the corresponding Chinese for them so that she could learn. Her family and friends also helped with her learning and practice.