One day walking through the halls at UWB I saw an announcement for an opportunity to Study Abroad. It made me curious, and I thought about it for weeks. I ended up deciding to join Global Scholars which is a safe environment that provides discussions on challenging topics and explores students’ broader perspective. Eventually, I took the leap and signed up for a three-week adventure exploring sustainable businesses and Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia.
During my experience:
From the moment I landed in Bangkok and felt the humid air, I knew this was a journey beyond the ordinary. Our Cohort of approximately 15 students got to explore the concrete jungles of Khao Lak, temples in Cambodia, and vibrant markets, totaling six cities in Thailand and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
The real eye-opener was witnessing firsthand the initiatives tackling sustainability with elephants, turtles, and monkey tourism— We also got the opportunity to help a small community to build classrooms from recycled materials, donated a well to provide clean water to families in the community, planting mangroves to preserve local ecosystems, and enjoy a cooking class of the delicious Thai cuisine (The photo bellow was the result of my cooking). I take with me after all the simple yet profound principle of “Preservation and care for the community.”
Every encounter left a mark, shaping not just my academic understanding but my global perspective of how to do business.
Post Global Experience:
My journey through Thai and Cambodian cultures was truly transformative. Immersed in their rich traditions, values, and beliefs, I returned home with an overflowing backpack of cultural knowledge, self-reliance, global awareness, resilience, improved communication skills, and an expanded network. As a senior nearing graduation, these experiences have equipped me with skills highly sought after in my finance career. Beyond professional growth, these learnings will undoubtedly impact my personal life and community involvement, allowing me to contribute in diverse and meaningful ways.
