Lauren Carpenter, Thailand
My time abroad has been unexpectedly beautiful and challenging so
far. Southeast Asia is many worlds unto its own, and it continues to
surprise me around every turn. It makes me laugh; the chaos, the
slowness, the smiles, the absurdities. I have learned an important
lesson in determination here in Thailand, which started with the
discovery that the university I came to study at does not offer, nor
has it ever offered, the Khmer classes it advertises online. The staff
really didn’t seem to think this was a big deal, which is just a taste
of the difference in perspectives between my western mind and this
sometimes ridiculous place. I was understandably upset by this, but as
I dug deeper into the network of linguistic teacher staff here at
Mahidol, I came across an old retired Thai man who has worked in
Cambodia for twenty years to study the language, assist NGOs, and
provide relief to the Khmer population. Under his tutelage, I have
learned more about Cambodian politics, culture, religion, and issues
than I could ever have learned in a traditional class, and I know this
is how it was meant to be.
He has emphasized to me from the stories of his days as a Buddhist
monk that there are lessons to be learned in each cat’s meow, each
bowl of soup, each and every “hello.” Sometimes when I grow impatient
to know it all he reminds me to slow down and breathe, and this may be
the hardest lesson of all. I was somewhat disillusioned at the amount
of time it takes to learn a new language, even to figure out the
alphabet! It doesn’t help that I chose the language offering the
world’s largest alphabet system, with 33 consonants, 33 consonant
partners, 21 vowels, and an additional dozen stand-alone vowels. As
overwhelming as it is, I have to admit I love it nevertheless.
Southeast Asia continues to intrigue me in the face of the many
cultures, languages, religions, and ethnic tics that clash and
harmonize, making the region exactly what it is; beautiful chaos.
Getting to know my local friends has humbled me in the very existence
of my privileged opportunities in life. Simply walking the streets of
Bangkok has shown me that there is much room for improvement in the
kindness of strangers. With more than half of the world’s young
people, and 70% of the population living on less than a dollar a day
(according to the United Nations Environment Program), there is a gap
that needs to be filled in Asia, a global social justice catastrophe
that calls for our attention. I came to Bangkok with the bright-eyed
hope to figure out how to ‘eradicate’ human trafficking and provide
education for ‘all.’ I don’t think that can happen without a change in
the priorities of the lives of individuals. It is true for America, as
it is for Southeast Asia. The essential difference is that Americans
like myself have a remarkable advantage in the resources already
provided, while on the other hand the very essentials are lacking for
many in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, East Timor, and the list
goes on. This discrepancy, among others, devours me and invites me to
solve its puzzle.
So in essence, I am in love with the place. (It’s made me change my
major!) It’s beautiful and the people are even more beautiful.
Although I am excited to return to Michigan and see my family and
continue my studies, I am even more excited for my hopefully
indefinite return to Southeast Asia. I am so grateful for this year
abroad that has shown me much more clearly what my possibilities are,
and what exactly I can do with my future.
