What Thailand Taught Me

For someone who enjoys her routine more than anything, I will never regret packing my bags and traveling to Thailand. Adjusting to a new environment and people was not easy and it’s something I didn’t feel comfortable doing because it required me to get out of my comfort zone. Studying and learning about not only Thailand’s healthcare systems, but also culture, way of life, and everything in between has made a huge impact on my life. Without this program, Bangkok, Thailand would have been an overwhelming experience. I am grateful for all the hard work our professor and program coordinators put into this trip in order to make it educational, fun, and inclusive. We had something new to learn every single day, and that’s what kept me away from missing home so much. Two weeks in Thailand is the perfect amount of time to adjust and to absorb every bit of this beautiful place. I’m very happy I made the choice to be a part of this specific public health program because I think we experienced and witnessed things we wouldn’t have done so anywhere else. This trip was truly a humbling experience as well because we saw and helped individuals who had nothing, but still kept a huge smile on their face. In the U.S., sometimes we forget how fortunate we are to have basic things such as a working toilet, clean water, and air conditioning!! If there is anything that I can take away from what I learned from Thai people and their culture its to be kind to one another, to appreciate the things you have, to be open-minded, and to keep stress out of your life.