A Student-Centered Academic Review of Cross-Cultural Education and Talent Development: Learning Experiences in Thai International Degree Programs

International degree programs (IDPs) serve as fundamental mechanisms for advancing higher education internationalization and developing globally competent graduates. Thailand has strategically positioned itself as a regional hub for international higher education in Southeast Asia through expanded English-taught programs and cross-border degree collaborations. Although existing scholarship has thoroughly examined institutional cooperation models and policy frameworks, students' learning experiences within Thai international degree programs have received comparatively limited scholarly attention. This academic review synthesizes recent literature from 2020 to 2025, emphasizing curriculum design, pedagogical practices, cross-cultural learning experiences, and quality assurance mechanisms. Employing a student-centered analytical perspective, this review combines systematic literature analysis with reflective insights from learning experiences in Thai international degree programs. The review explicitly frames student learning as the primary analytical lens for evaluating cross-border education quality. Academic sources were obtained from Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and regional databases using predetermined inclusion criteria. Results reveal that Thai international degree programs offer culturally inclusive learning environments and flexible international pathways; however, students commonly face challenges concerning academic adaptation, English-medium instruction, assessment alignment, and institutional support consistency. This review contends that integrating student learning experiences into program evaluation proves essential for enhancing the quality and sustainability of international degree programs in Thailand. The study advances the literature by centering the student perspective and providing evidence-informed recommendations for improving cross-border higher education in Southeast Asia.