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Reflections from some SEAIGS alumni...
Emma Van Seters
Fall 2010
University of Redlands
Major: Creative Writing and Peace Studies
Coming to Thailand, for me, became a lot more than coming to Thailand. Although I spent my time within the borders of one country, my experience serves to remind me that there is an enormous world out there, vast beyond my knowledge. I learned that many of the limits we fathom to exist within our lives everyday are more flexible than had been previously imagined, penetrable with innovation. The SEAIGS program is designed to encourage its students to probe something beyond classroom education to the core of humanity, and provides the necessary skills for deep cultural engagement.
Tyler Stout
Fall 2010
St. Lawrence University
"The Thai studies program has taught me things that I will carry for the rest of my life, I know that for a fact. The program was unbelievable and I would do it over and over again"
Kim Thai
Summer 2009
University of California-Berkeley
“As for my time in Thailand, it was definitely one of the best experiences I have ever had! I loved that the course I took was not just inside a classroom, but that we learned through interaction with the Thai people in their ethnic villages. The program directors planned for us to experience the main attractions of Chiang Mai, Thailand, such as the night markets, teaching English to novice monks, visiting temples, and the amazing Thai food everywhere. Right now, I am even in contact with one of the Thai students I met at Payap University, who is studying abroad in Southern California!”
Laura Ellis
Spring 2009
Earlham College
“I knew next-to-nothing about Thailand, and even less about its neighboring countries. Therefore, I decided that Thailand was the place to come. I wanted an inside look on life in a country completely different from my home; I wanted to stay for several months and live and work with local people. Payap showed me how valuable it is to spend a portion of your life in another country: before I came, I had only a vague idea of the geography of Southeast Asia hadn't a clue about the politics here. Now, not only do I understand, I care. Payap offered me the chance to know real people in real situations in a way that traveling has never done for me before. Thailand, its people, and its neighbors have brought the other side of the world closer to home, and I have been irrevocably changed. I see the world through a new set of eyes, and I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Kanako Nakarai
Spring 2009
Boston College
“At Payap I gained a solid understanding of Thai culture and society. I learned to understand on a more personal level the complexity and struggles surrounding the issue with ethnic minority groups in Northern Thailand. Like all other social problems in Thailand, I now realize the interrelatedness and complexity of these issues - in order to understand a single problem, one must comprehend the various ways it is impacted and connected to other issues in society. I hope to come back to Chiang Mai in the near future and work more closely with local communities, being the help that is needed. My experience here at Payap and in Chiang Mai has reassured my passion to work with children and the happiness that comes with helping others.”
Shannon FitzMaurice
Spring 2009
Portland State University
“I appreciate very much all of the "Ajans" (instructors) and how patient they were with us. It is not easy to live in a foreign country, I came out there not knowing ANYONE and I know I was scared. So I'm sure most everyone else in the program was scared too. So the Ajans really helped with making me feel like I was supposed to be there. Especially since being a "farang" (foreigner) comes with its many challenges every day...”
“The fact that I went to Bangkok and Nan province makes me feel like I accomplished something big in my life. I don't know if that's how the other students feel but being able to get around in a crowded city like Bangkok and then stay and make friends in Nan is mind blowing to me. I have friends in Eastern Thailand now... that's so cool. I wanted to study in Thailand since I was in high school and now I have, and I love knowing that.”
David Rose
2007-2008 academic year
The University of New South Wales
“I think that all of the students are very lucky to be enrolled in the Thai & South East Asian Studies Program because it is a brilliant program, a fascinating learning experience and a wonderful introduction to Thai culture, history and people. And most importantly because all the teachers and staff in the program are such incredibly talented and nice people.”
Sarah Elliott
Fall 2006
Siena College
“During the first semester of my senior year, I participated in the Thai & South East Asian Studies Program. The village visits and excursions in Thailand taught me more than I could ever learn from any textbook. The program in Thailand allowed me to put myself in the shoes of everyone; from a hard-working rice farmer to an elephant trainer. I never expected to have the opportunity to study and live in such a welcoming, serene and beautiful country. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants a diverse experience that will impact their life even after returning home.”
Jessica Hill
Fall 2005
College of Wooster
Major: Religious Studies and History
“Choosing to study in Thailand was probably one of the best learning
experiences I have ever had. The Thai Studies Program offered by Payap
University was a great opportunity to immerse myself in Asian culture
and learn about a lifestyle foreign from my own. The professors and
staff at Payap are friendly and welcoming. The field trips offered are
amazing and are a great insight to Thai life. I would definitely
recommend this program to someone who is looking to learn about Thai
culture, have fun in Thai society, and is seeking a study abroad program
that is different and unique.”
Jessica is in her senior year of college and finishing up her senior thesis project about Buddhism in Thailand. She spent the summer of 2006 on a Luce Fellowship conducting research for her project in Chiang Mai with the Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture at Payap University.
Mike Paller
Spring 2003
Brandeis University
Major: Politics and Sociology
“I came to participate in the Thai Studies Program at PayapUniversity purely by chance. I had originally signed up for a different study abroad program, but it happened to coordinate with Payap. I was lucky it did. I had a great experience living in Chiang Mai and studying at Payap.
The language teachers were especially phenomenal and provided me with a very strong foundation in Thai conversation. I couldn't speak a lick of Thai before coming to Payap, but by the time I left I was able to communicate with vendors in the markets, strangers on the streets, and most importantly my friends all over town.”
After graduating from college, Mike worked on John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. However, Mike couldn't stop thinking about his experience in Chiang Mai, so, shortly after the election he decided to move back to Thailand. He later obtained a master's degree in International Development Studies and is currently working as the Deputy Director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma.
Christel Perkins
Fall 2005
Wheaton College
Major: Anthropology
I think the most important thing I gained from the Thai Studies Program is hands-on experience and knowledge about Thailand's people and culture that I can use to dispel myths and misunderstandings and assumptions. Studying in Thailand helped me realize my desire to work with refugees and displaced people, such as the Akha and other hill tribe groups that we visited.
Christel is currently working as a social worker in Philadelphia.
Kimi Sato
Fall 2005
Wilamette University
Major: Art History and Psychology
“The Thai Studies Program was amazing because the activities we did forced me to step outside my comfort zone on many occasions. I realized soon after I returned home that I had a very unique experience that I would appreciate for a very long time. The teachers were so great to all of us and the program in general was a perfect amount of academic work and first hand experience.”
Kimi is currently applying for the Peace Corps which she hopes to do after graduating. She is a native of Hawaii is teaching Hula classes for an upcoming Lu'au at her school. In addition, Kimi plays Taiko Drums, tutors at Chemawa Indian Boarding School, and has served as a leader for the Ohana Multicultural Orientation Program as well as for Planned Parenthood of Hawaii working as a sex education intern.
Brad Teeters
Academic Year 2005- 2006
Oregon State University
Majors: Anthropology and International Studies
Payap was the best college experience I, or anyone, could have. The immersion concept allows the student to experience Thailand in a way that regular university study never could.
Brad is currently a 5th year senior and will soon be returning to Thailand to start an internship in Rayong province as a TEFL instructor in a rural Thai school.
Jancy Thalappillil
Fall 2005
Manhattanville College
Major: Sociology
What can I say about my time in Chiang Mai...it was the time of my life! The Thai Studies program catered to all my needs, as I was an international student for the first time in my life. An intensive language course and a variety of cultural programs with the Thai community taught me beautiful and valuable lessons not only about myself, Thai culture, but the world at large. I can't wait to go back!
Jancy currently resides in Washington DC where she works for the Children's Law Center investigating cases of child abuse and neglect.
Megan Vaught
Spring 2006
Berea College
Major: Psychology
“My time in Thailand proved to be a wonderous, challenging and strengthening experience. I was opened in mind, conscience and soul. It pays to step outside of your world across borders into new land. I made the journey and came out, I feel, a better, stronger Megan.”
Megan is currently finishing her senior year and plans to go abroad after graduation and then hopes to study occupational therapy in graduate school.
Alysha Wood
Spring 2004
Hollins University
Major: Interdisciplinary degree in Asian Studies, Creative Writing, and Dance
As a woman of mixed Thai and Anglo-American heritage, studying abroad through
Thai Studies at Payap allowed me to travel to Thailand and visit members of my
family for the first time. I learned basic reading, writing, _and_ speaking
Thai, (thank you Ajarn Ping, Ajarn Ray, and Ajarn Mee!), while learning more
about my own cultural background.
Alysha is currently an MFA candidate in Writing and Poetics at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, continuing to write between and among languages, mistranslating English and transcribing Thai.
Nobuko Yoshida
Fall 2006
International Christian University (Tokyo, Japan)
Major: Social Sciences
“I learned so many things from the Thai studies program, which were not only
from classes and textbooks, but from the village stays, from friends and
from all the people I met through the program. My experienece in Thailand broadened my view of looking at the world where there are people in different circumstances facing different problems. I hope many students will experience and learn as many things as I did from this program and become a fan of Thailand like me!”
Nobuko is currently finishing up her degree at International Christian University and hopes to return to Thailand upon graduation to teach Japanese to Thai students.
