Monthly Archives: January 2014

2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Chiangrai Rajabpat University

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On Thursday January 9, we visited Chiangrai Rajabpat University. While at the university, we were each paired up with one of the students to spend the day with. I was paired up with a girl named NoEy. She was in her third year at the university at the age of 22. 
Our university friends took us to a couple different places. First we went to a black temple on the campus. After that we had some free time, so we all hung out together at the campus. Our new Thai friends gave each one of us a Thai nickname. My Thai name was Ah-ngoon which mean “orchid”. After that, we headed to the white temple. The official name of the white temple is Wat Rong Khun Temple. The temple was absolutely beautiful! The design was so detailed. Some of the design seemed a bit scary (such as the hands reaching up or heads hanging from the trees). But yet somehow the artist still managed to make the temple look gorgeous. After exploring the temple, a few of us stopped at a local coffee shop. While in the coffee shop we found the artist who created the temple. It was such an honor to meet a Thai celebrity. After the white temple, we headed to the flower festival. The flower festival was beautiful and smelled amazing! There were so many gorgeous flowers such as tiger lilies and orchids.
After a fun-filled day with the Thai students, we headed back to the university. The students prepared a traditional dinner for us complete with delicious food and wonderful performances of dances and songs. We were able to witness traditional Thai dances such as the fingernail dance and the candlelight dance. After all the performances were completed, our new Thai friends offered to dance with us and show us how to circle dance. I had such an amazing time. Between meeting new friends, exploring Chiang Rai, and learning how to perform a Thai dance, it was one of the best days I’ve had while in Thailand. Then to top everything off, we lit lanterns and released them into the night’s sky.
It was very nice to be able to talk and bond with Thais who were my age. I was able to see how we (college students) all act the same no matter what country or culture. We all like to spend time with our friends, laugh, and have fun. I really enjoyed getting to know NoEy and the other university students. I am so glad I was able to have this opportunity to make some new friends and I look forward to meeting in touch with them even after I return home to the United States.

2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Hmong Encounters

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Coming to Thailand, I was both excited and anxious for the adventures that awaited me. I knew I would eventually meet my fellow community members, the Hmong people. When I did, it was amazing! I cannot express enough how exciting it was to meet people from the same community as me in a different country. I started a conversation right off the bat when I encountered my first interaction with two Hmong elders at the Sunday night market in Chiang Mai. Talking to them in Hmong, I noticed the unique sounds of their Hmong words with a slight Chinese accent. At this moment, everything became surreal. I continued to talk to these Hmong elders and learned of a Hmong New Year occurring there as well. Of course I could not miss out on this opportunity so a group of friends and I attended the event with Ajan Cathy. 


Since I have been to multiple Hmong New Years back at home already, I had an idea of what activities may occur such as ball tossing and performances. But what I was most excited was interacting with Hmong people. It was such a beautiful experience to be able to have conversations with the elders. They were excited to learn about the Hmong people in America just as I was to learn about the Hmong people here in Thailand. Who knew I would run into a Hmong family from Germany too? 


Although my rare encounters with Hmong people were unique, I did not expect to see that the Hmong culture was slowly losing its ways in Thailand like in America. To be able to see young Hmong adults and have no way of communication because they could not speak Hmong made me wonder how much of my culture has been lost here? Hopefully, all is not lost within the younger generation.


Hmong New Year in Chiang Mai
Hmong New Year in Chiang Mai
2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Animals in Thailand

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The elephant is by far my favorite animal that I have come across here in Thailand. They seem so calm and happy. Even when we were floating down the river we saw some at the elephant hospital and they were dancing to the music from the near by village. It didn’t seem real and it felt like I was watching a movie. The elephants are very intelligent. When we went to ride elephants there was a show where the elephants performed their talents. Some kicked soccer balls into a goal, played basketball, played music, danced, and one even painted a picture! I couldn’t believe how good it was! The baby elephants are adorable and I don’t know how you couldn’t love them! 

Some of the other animals here are cats and dogs. I love dogs but not the ones in Thailand. I’m actually scared of them! All of cats and dogs run around freely. They are friendly but I think most don’t get shots or are neutered. Some of the cats and dogs here have rabies. There have been dogs that we came across that have red eyes and were running in a circle. You just need to be careful. 
At our home stay we went on a hike through the jungle. Although I didn’t see any animals our tour guide explained what kinds of animals lived there. He said there was lots of gibbons. I was just worried I was going to come across a snake! He told us that the snakes were down by the water and wouldn’t come by us. I was glad to here that! I did get to see real snakes when I went to visit the black temple. I was caught really off guard and thought they were kidding when they told us we were going to see the snakes. There were two snakes just roaming around. I thought they would at least be in a cage or something! There were also dead ones displayed inside, yuck!

In Chang Mai some of us went on a night safari. Since it was at night it was hard to see some of the animals. Some of the animals that we saw were: tigers, elephants, bears, a lot of different species of deer, giraffe, and a lot of other animals!

Holly

2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

My Home Stay

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The home stay was the most memorable activity in this trip for me personally. It helped me put the world into perspective and prioritize what is important in life. The family we stayed with were very simple and happy they didn’t have electronics and a lot of the material things we have back home but yet they were happier than a lot of the people back home. It helped me understand that happiness is not gotten from materials but from relationships and that community was truly one community that was unified in all aspects, they employed one another, they circulated the wealth within the community and most importantly they looked out for one another. One of the things that stood out to me was that the daughter of the leader left for college but she came back to help her father in the village, it reemphasized the unity of the community.

2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Connection/ Blog #3

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My trip to Thailand has been insightful as I learn about the lovely culture of the Thai people. The beauty of the architecture and the kindness of the Thai people is something I will remember. As a cool breeze alleviates the warm temperature of Chiang Mai, I reflect on my trip and my personal quest of finding a connection to the Hmong people of Thailand.
I visited the Hmong New Year celebration outside the city of Chiang Mai hoping to find some sort of connection to my Hmong ancestry. My experience at the Hmong New Year shocked me because what I found was something more than I can ever imagine. I remember how nervous I felt reminding me of my first day in Kindergarten.  The vast open space, crowded parking lot, various vendors and their booths, and the wide array of people in traditional and modern clothing painted the mosaic of the Hmong New Year in Thailand.
After getting a feel to this foreign but familiar scenery, I talked to some of Hmong people at the New Year. To my surprise and the elderly Hmong woman I was talking to, our Hmong identity remains strong and intact. The only notable difference was the power and privilege that came from different our countries. The elderly lady I talked to noted how lucky I was to be able to see Thailand and celebrate the New Year there and how she would never be able to do the same. I never saw the privilege of being an American because of my family history but here in Thailand I knew it existed.  Feeling grateful and down-hearted from our conversation, I know that I am truly lucky.

For the first time, I felt home in a foreign country. Although I did not know the elderly Hmong woman, I felt a connection that could not be described. As I slowly piece the puzzle to finding my cultural identity, I know that home is where the heart is and Thailand is part of that home.  
2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Post #3 by Katelyn

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Yesterday we got to have a very unique experience staying at the Mae Kam Pong Home stay. The village is located in the beautiful mountains between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Thailand. I thought this visit really allowed us to gain a scene of what the Thai lifestyle is like for the people living in a mountain village. What really struck me was the vast difference between their lifestyle and my own. As I was laying in bed last night I was thinking how it was almost hard to believe we live on the same planet. My life at home is so fast pasted and planned out. I also thought of how I waste so much yet am always wanting more. The simplicity of their homes, day to day lives and use if natural resources really fascinated me. After getting settled in we all went on a hike to a waterfall. As we were walking through the forest our guide would point to a plant and show how it could be used as a bug repellant or he picked up a fallen branch and said we could use this to make broom. The people of this village really use what they have around them. 
 
Later in the evening we got meet with the village leader to learn more about where we were staying. One thing that I like about how this village ran was the community focus and how they all took care of each other. When I think of home, it seems when I do something it is typically for the benefit of myself. Where as when the people of this village do something everyone benefits and it’s for the good of the community. 
 
I think this experience really helped me to gain new perspective and forced me to think of my own lifestyle. When I was walking the hills of this village and looked at the people in their homes, I kept thinking to myself that the less material things you have allows you to have a bigger heart. 


2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Blog #4- Tom Lonergan

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With just over a week remaining in Thailand, I am still enjoying every minute here. Below zero temperatures across much of the northern U.S. has made me truely appreciate the beautiful weather Thailand has to offer.
Riding elephants in Chiang Mai was a great time. Learning the history and importance of the elephant in the Thai culture was very interesting to me. Elephants have always been one of my favorite animals and now I see them in an even more positive light.
Leaving Chiang Mai was sad, as I have grown very fond of the city in my short time there. I have always enjoyed the mid sized city environment and Chiang Mai fit the build perfectly, especially compared to the bustle and political turmoil in Bangkok.
The home stay in the mountains outside of Chiang Mai gave me a good idea of what life was like in rural Thailand. The beauty of the area and the simplicity of the village made me rethink what material things you need to lead a happy life. With my time here winding down I continue to take every opportunity I have to try something new and very much look forward to our remaining activities and visits.

2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

post #4- Chiang Mai

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Leaving Chiang Mai yesterday was bittersweet.  Before coming on this trip I didn’t know very much about the city, so I didn’t know what to expect. But after spending a week there,  I fell in love.  I love how nice and helpful everyone I met was. The traffic might make Chiang Mai seem busy and rushed,  but everyone is so laid back.  I appreciated their patience with me, when I would try and speak thai with them.

On all the visits we went on while in Chiang Mai, we were given some sort of gift.  Back home you’d maybe get a cheap pen, but we were given homemade key chains and notebooks. Every time I was given a gift I felt like I needed to do something more for them. Their collectivist culture really makes them more caring and willing to go for that extra step of kindness.

I’ve had the time of my life so far on this trip and I can say Chiang Mai will always have a special place in my heart.

2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Julie Ann Blog #3

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January 8, 2014
Yesterday, we spent the day and night at Mae Kam Pong Homestay. This was an incredible experience and one of my favorite parts of the trip so far. The village is up in the mountains and is home to a community of “forest people” who are northern Thai people. The houses we stayed in reminded me of cabins in the woods. Most of them had open porches and old cabin smells. The host families were all so hospitable and kind. I attached a picture of the woman who hosted me and a picture of me standing on my host family’s porch.
The entire village was so beautiful and is placed along a stream. All of the village houses run up a long hill split by the street. Then on both sides of the street there are paths to go down to the stream where there are gazebos and temples. I felt like the whole village was an open zoo because there were many different kinds of animals openly walking around. There were roosters, chickens, peacocks, turkeys, dogs, and cats all roaming throughout the village and along the paths. At one point, a few of us were chased by some of the turkeys, which was a little scary but also pretty funny!
On the night of this homestay, we had a conversation with the leader of the village. As I was listening to him speak, I found many connections between the Mae Kam Pong village and kibbutzim. The leader was explaining how all of the families stay in the village to work. They are their own community who budget together, farm together, and are in the process of becoming more eco-friendly. They grow all of their own food and have committees that monitor the systems and structures within the village. This communal living is very similar to the lifestyle on a kibbutz. In most kibbutzim, people also grow their own food, pool their money together to budget costs, and work within the kibbutz. I have visited kibbutzim on my trips to Israel, and the feelings around family and the values around relationships and simplicity is also similar among both lifestyles.  
It is interesting that you can be half way around the world but still find aspects of the cultures and lifestyles that are so familiar. Another example of this is the tradition that Thai people do on New Years Eve. The tradition is to light a lantern and let it go in the sky. This symbolizes letting go of bad things from the old year into the universe. It is also tradition to buy a bag of live fish and then release them in the water for good luck. In Judaism, we celebrate the Jewish New Year called Rosh Hashanah. One of the traditions of this holiday is to throw bread into flowing water. This tradition is called Tashlikh, which means “casting off.” Throwing the bread in the flowing water symbolizes casting off the previous year’s sins before the New Year begins. While letting go of my lantern into the night sky on New Years Eve, I thought of this similarity and how cool it was to be partaking in a tradition of a new culture but still feel connections to my own.
2014 Thailand Learning Abroad Blog

Post by Danny Klucas

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Last day in Chiang Mai 

Today was our last day in Chiang Mai. We have been here for a week now and it seems like we just got here. Chiang Mai was nothing like what I expected. When I first came to Thailand I thought Chiang Mai would be small and reserved but it’s turned out to offer so many feels and sights that I’ve never experienced before. I think the people of Chiang Mai have surprised me the most, everyone is constantly offering respect and graciousness which is not even second nature to them. This is one of the coolest things I’ve experienced here. Excited to see what the rest of Thailand has to offer our group in the next few days as we travel to our home stay and Chiang Rai