2011
marked a year of new adventures, new faces, and new beginnings.
In
August 2011, I packed up my little apartment in Manhattan, handed in my
resignation letter to the United Nations, and took a giant leap of faith…on an airplane
Bangkok-bound. Several layovers,
continents and time zones later, I found myself (extremely jetlagged) in Asia
for the first time in my life.
I
was awarded the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic
year to travel to my first choice institution, Chulalongkorn University in
Bangkok, Thailand to pursue my Master’s in International Development.
My
class is the most diverse and unique group of people I have ever encountered in
my life. There are 25 of us who represent 19 countries from around the
world: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Colombia, Indonesia,
Japan, Bhutan, Taiwan…and so many more! The group is an overwhelmingly
accomplished bunch with backgrounds in non-profit, business marketing, city
planning, military, medicine, government affairs, and more. I have
learned a ton from my classmates already and greatly look forward to our year
together.
In
my three short months here – I have done more than I ever imagined. I have zip lined through rain forests in the
North, bathed elephants, cheered for Thailand in a World Cup qualifier match,
spent a night sleeping out with a Hill Tribe, and attended an ASEAN Post-Summit
meeting. I have awakened my senses by
sampling every curry, papaya salad and Pad See Ew dish in town and have lost my
sense of direction in massive street bazaars, decadent festivals and
aesthetically striking flower markets. I
have broadened my horizons and enjoyed all that Buddhism has to offer – with
beautiful temples, traditions and teachings.
Just a few days ago, I even got to see His Majesty the King and the
entire Royal Family process through the streets of Bangkok on the way to H.M.’s
84th birthday celebration.
I am learning so much culturally and academically each and every day I often wonder if my brain will explode! I am surrounded by extraordinarily intelligent and interesting individuals that challenge my learning in new ways each and every day. This year, I am thankful for my friends and family at home – who have supported me on this amazing adventure from the beginning. I am also grateful for my new friends and family here in Thailand and cannot wait for the next year of adventures together. And I am most thankful to Rotary International and Foster City – who, without their help, love and support, I never would find myself celebrating the New Year at a traditional Karen wedding…in MYANMAR!
I am wishing you and your families a
wonderful holiday season and Happy 2012!!!
Lots of love from Thailand (and Myanmar!)
Ashley
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