This trip was anything except a normal study abroad trip… this was my first time out of the United States and even my first time on a plane! It definitely was a little bit of a headache getting to our final destination; between delayed flights and late night hotel bookings. I was totally out of my element and nervous that something terrible would happen, but lone behold we had an amazing time !

Just alone, the travel formed new friendships. The plane ride was smooth and the food wasn’t too terrible. I now am a professional in sleeping upright. My plan for my 13 hour flight was to watch four 2-hour movies and then sleep for the rest, this plan laid out perfectly – well I wish I was laying down.

When we arrived in Dubai I realized that we weren’t in Kansas anymore Dorothy. The ground was just dirt and totally different than what I have ever seen before. Then I really felt that we were on the other side of the world ! Never being out of the United States going through the airports was easy plus fascinating, you see couples and families waiting for their loved ones or even trying catch their flight looking more nervous and excited than you were. What I found most amazing was just how small we are in the world and our problems are so little. I hate to say that I became more ‘cultured’ because to be honest I didn’t, I learned how to say few words in Thai and respected them with the laws I had read online, but overall you need to research constantly and be familiar with what is going on in the outside world than just what the latest trends or updates for Facebook is.

I definitely realized why people will quit their jobs and leave randomly to go and travel someplace new, I would do it if I could.

Click here to read other stories from the SPC Thailand Study Abroad program.