Before studying abroad in Thailand and Cambodia, I had traveled back to Vietnam, something I hadn’t done in five years. A lot had changed, and seeing my family after so many years of living what felt like a completely separate life made me feel appreciative and bittersweet at the same time.
While one trip was to visit family, and another was through an academic lense, experiencing these countries in one summer actually ended up elevating my experience- and influenced my perspective when it comes to pursuing future international opportunities.
After living in Vietnam for a month, I kept track of my small observations. I found the humidity, heat, traffic, and the savory meals to be familiar to what I had expected. What I didn’t expect was the amount of things that I could physically and mentally push myself to do. Each day was jam packed with activities. By bus, train, car, plane- every 3 days our group would move to a new location.
My study abroad to Thailand and Cambodia centered around corporate social responsibility, and I found this very applicable as a business marketing student. A particular representative from a marketing firm had been candid and had described the ways that marketing firms use their messaging to influence large groups of people, and I was reminded of how organizations can wield this influence for positive impacts and in harmful ways as well. I found that the general umbrella of corporate social responsibility had me asking some questions that carried throughout the 21 days traveling between hotels and visiting organizations every few days:
– What does it look like for a business or corporation to be eco-friendly?
– Tourism in all its forms: Is it good? Is it bad? Is it something in between?
– What have non profits, non government organizations, and businesses done to leave a positive impact?
– How can small actions lead to big change?
These were just some of the bigger questions that carried throughout the program. And in between, pockets of small interactions and conversations that linger. We visited government orgs like the Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation, and other places such as the monkey training school, the Cambodian Circus, and volunteered with charities like HUSK Cambodia to build a classroom out of plastic water bottles. 🧱 (And Apopo, an org that trains rats to find land mines! 😯)
One of the most valuable experiences I had were conversations with our tour guides in Thailand and Cambodia, a few of which would stay with us days at a time. Getting to know about their work and efforts to support their communities reminded me of my own family in Vietnam.
Growing up as a Vietnamese American, Vietnamese was the primary language spoken in my home, though for various reasons and having gone to school all my life within the U.S and not being fluent, I am now relearning Vietnamese in my 20s. I was used to my clumsy interactions with other Vietnamese folks, where I would have to use all of my limited vocabulary to get my point across. Still, being able to share a meal, share a laugh, and relate to simple joys are what make challenges worth it.
Thailand was similar in this way, but to a much greater extent. I find there will always be a type of barrier without the intentional pursuit of connection- and learning a different language is a powerful way (and arguably necessary) to open up conversation.
I have a great privilege growing up in the U.S, and being a native english speaker. Especially when it comes to English speakers and non-english speakers. English dominates as a language on the global stage, and there is a double standard when it comes to non-english speakers having to learn english, and oftentimes, english speakers being praised for knowing just a bit of- vietnamese, or thai, for example.
There were a handful of times, whether it’s because people assumed I spoke Thai or was Thai, I could not ascertain. However, my only regret on this study abroad program was not learning more Thai prior to my departure-though that means there’s greater opportunity to improve and come back and have more conversations.
To any fellow First-Gen students out there, child of immigrants, those that come from marginalized backgrounds that may be nervous or not know what to expect on their study abroad:
- You are capable: Don’t limit yourself from opportunities, don’t take away chances to learn and grow simply because of your own self doubt- there are people and teams that are eager to help you in your application materials, to help talk through what you want, etc.! support is available
- Witness and observe: The act of being present is so powerful, sometimes it can be easy to avoid situations that feel uncomfortable- that may trigger you or make you rethink your worldview. Specific examples of this could be witnessing vulnerable people on the street, begging children, or confrontational strangers. *Unless it is dangerous or truly harmful, lean into these uncomfortable situations, as you’ll become a better person on the other side.
My view towards education will always be framed by my experience as a first-generation student, and being able to dive head first into new experiences is an immense privilege!-One that I hope to use to support not just my own communities, but underserved and marginalized groups as well.
Relating to my business marketing degree, I also enjoy content creation and capturing memories. I posted a few (very casual) vlogs on Youtube during my time in Thailand and Cambodia. Feel free to check out one of them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNGVUY7SWSs
