SAMAR ISLAND, Philippines—Samar State University (SSU), together with the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), has recently co-hosted the 1st International Summer Camp 2024 by bringing together seven (7) delegates from the Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Indonesia and Tra Vinh University (TVU), Vietnam on a week-long summer camp activities slated from August 12 to 16, 2024 at the Samar Island, Philippines.
With support from the provincial and city government tourism offices of Samar province, the 1st International Summer Camp marked a milestone along SSU’s international academic and cultural exchange initiatives program. The opening day of the summer camp on August 12 (24) featured an engaging Talk Show and Open Forum, where students from the three participating institutions—SSU, UB, and TVU—shared their insights and expectations about the cultural exchange program. In the afternoon, the delegates went on a Campus Tour, learned the basics of the Waray-Waray language from the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) English students of SSU, visited the laboratories of the College of Arts and Sciences, and became acquainted with various local youth organizations during the 18th Catbalogan Young People’s Day Advocacy Fair held at the SSU Maceda Gymnasium.
Day 2 and 3 took the international visitors on a scenic trip through the natural and cultural treasures of Samar. The participants visited the Saob Cave where they were taught of the rich history of Basey women’s tikog weaving, and a mini-workshop on how to execute it. This was followed by a 1-hour tour inside the Sohoton cave, and a kayaking trip to the Sohoton Natural Bridge. The visitors also engaged on a Torpedo ride on the rapids of Ulot River in Paranas, and a visit to the Lulugayan Falls of Calbiga.
Day 4 highlighted cultural immersion and community engagement activities with the international students visit to SSU Paranas Campus where they witnessed and danced to the Banugan Festival of Paranas, and learned how to cook popular Filipino dishes. The visitors also embraced the rhythm and cultural expressions of the Philippines through a Kuratsa Dance Workshop taught by SSU BPED students
The final day of the camp featured a City Tour, sponsored by the Catbalogan City LGU. The event reached its crescendo with a Culminating Activity on August 16 (24) in celebration of the successful completion of the program. The international guests also had the chance to showcase their Kuratsa dance. Finally, they expressed gratitude with the warmth and hospitality shown to them and looks forward for future collaborations.
The week-long 1st International Summer Camp at SSU was a celebration of diversity, educational enrichment, and international cooperation. Under the leadership of Director Elmer A. Irene of the Office of International Affairs and Director Jhonil C. Bajado of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Office, the camp achieved its objectives of expanding students’ perspectives, facilitating knowledge-sharing, and strengthening partnerships between Samar State University, Tra Vinh University, and Universitas Brawijaya.
