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Updated November 28, 2016.
Where will you be staying?
While abroad I will be studying at Mahidol University, the number one university in Thailand. Mahidol is located in Sayala, Thailand. Sayala is about a 10-minute drive from the city center of Bangkok. During my time I will be living in student apartments with another individual from my program.
What was the process to plan your trip?
The process has been extremely long. I think I underestimated what I was getting myself into when I said "Oh I'm going to study abroad." Don't get me wrong, I have been planning to study abroad for almost four years now, but when I finally said "Okay. This is it, now or never!" It became a bit overwhelming.
I had to apply through WMU, CISabroad, and Mahidol. Following acceptance from all of the above came the constant meetings, course approvals, applications for housing, pre-departure trainings, and stalking airlines for a flight. Although this was a lengthy process it honestly all worked out perfectly. All of my challenges and struggles along the way pushed me and reminded me how much I want to chase my dreams of studying abroad and how worth all of the effort will be.
Now is when the fun aspect of planning comes into play. Currently I am working on my Visa application and planning what I will be doing post- semester when I will be backpacking Southeast Asia for an additional 25 days. I have found about six individuals from my program that live all across the country, and we are currently discussing where we want to spend New Year’s Eve. Bali or India? It doesn't get much better than that.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
My intended graduation date is December 2017. I actually just changed my major from Fine Arts to Communication, with minors in Fine Arts and Global and International Studies.
After graduation I am planning to apply, and hopefully serve in the Peace Corp. That has been the plan since I was in 10th grade and I have been working toward it ever since.
Ultimate career goals?
In the future I am hoping to work with an international non-profit as a volunteer coordinator. Ideally, I would love to work for a company that sends volunteer trips to countries in need, and be the coordinator and in country contact. Over the past three years I have been heavily involved with Alternative Bronco Breaks, a volunteer organization that sends trips throughout the United States to volunteer with different social issues. I would love to work with an organization like this one in the future, but one that sends trips internationally.
How are you involved on campus?
Over the past three years at WMU I have been a pretty heavily involved student. A lot of what I do ties back into what I have planned for my future or plans that I have.
- Orientation Student Leader 2014
- Fall Welcome Ambassador 2014 & 2015
- First Year Seminar Co- Instructor 2014 & 2015
- Alternative Bronco Breaks Participant 2013-2016
- Alternative Bronco Breaks President Fall 2015 - Summer 2016
- Bronco Bash and Homecoming Coordinator 2015
- College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office Assistant
You can follow Rebecca’s blog, Pad Thai and Elephant Rides, here, or stay tuned to MyWMU.com and MyWMU social media for periodic updates on her journey.
September 19, 2016: In her first blog post, Rebecca lists a few things she's learned since arriving in Thailand, and discusses the term "Learner Centered" - one of WMU's three pillars. Click here to read more.
October 11, 2016: Rebecca discusses WMU's second pillar, Discovery Driven, through the lens of her own personal discovery after taking a solo trip to the city of Chiang Mai and a Buddhist temple. Click here to read more.
November 1, 2016: Rebecca writes about WMU's third pillar, "Globally Engaged." She says, "Thailand has become a home to me, a best friend of sorts. The people I have met, no matter how long or short our encounter may have been, will stay with me. I can't imagine saying goodbye at this point. To myself being globally engaged isn't about seeing new sites or getting the best photograph, it's is being empathetic and understanding the culture you are emerged in." Read more here.
November 25, 2016: Rebecca discusses her surprise at being homesick, but why that's not a bad thing, and why we should all feel thankful to be a part of WMU and Kalamazoo. "No matter where I am, Kalamazoo or Thailand I will share and show love to my university that has shown so much to me. When coming to Thailand I heard all about the concept of homesickness but thought it would never happen to me. On this journey I have heard a saying, the title of this post. In Thai, this means "To see is to understand." I now understand what homesickness is, and I am happy I have it. I am happy to have something so amazing to look forward to got back to." Read more here.