From the Other Side of the World

Amber (on the right) & her roommate in front of Rama V/Chulalongkorn statue

Back at Dartmouth it is common to take the winters off and study abroad. Unfortunately there are not many options for Engineers to study abroad and get credit towards their major. Luckily Dartmouth recently established a semester abroad exchange program with Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. And that's where I've been for the last month and a half.

My first impression of Chula came on orientation, we arrived at school and were told that due to inter and intra university sporting games, we would not have school for the next two weeks. So I went to Vietnam for 10 days and had an amazing time. Then I came back and started school a bit later than expected.

Now that I've gotten into the swing of things my weeks consist of five 3 hour classes spanning Monday through Wednesday. Thai class on Monday and Thursday and the occasional volleyball pick up game Tuesday and Thursday nights. Classes are very different than Dartmouth. The pace is much slower and the students have a bit less enthusiasm for the subjects. However, the Thai students have been more than welcoming. In almost every class people have approached me to see how I am doing or if I need anything.

Wat Po Temple in Bangkok

I was also set up with the university women's volleyball team and now have become good friends with many of the players. Last week I was invited to one of their birthday dinners at an amazing restaurant right on the river that runs through the city. The atmosphere was great as we were serenaded by a wonderfully singing Ladyboy.

So far I am in love with Thailand. Not only am I getting a different perspective on a subject I love, I have been able to play volleyball with locals, eat full meals for less than $2 everyday (and the food is amazing), live in a tropical climate (sorry for everyone who is buried under the 10 ft of snow back home), meet some amazing people from all over the world, and finally, travel! (We are heading to Ko Tao, Turtle Island, this week).

This experience has been once in a life time and so far I can't get enough of it, but it has also made me realize that I am very lucky to have amazing friends and family back home waiting for me. Being away really makes you appreciate the people and things you love at home.

--Amber Bryant '12, Libertyville, IL