A Thai Student Writes Home.

Our next assignment in English was to be a student from Thailand studying in Canberra, Australia, and to write a letter home. Writing this made me want to visit both places!

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Maae rak,

The University of Canberra is everything I imagined it to be. We just finished a week of orientation for international students, with subjects such as adjusting to living and studying in Australia, an introduction to the University’s policies and procedures, and even a workshop on International Student Visa requirements. I wish I had easier access to some of this information before I arrived here!

The main thing they wanted to stress upon us is that we need to pay attention to our surroundings. They did not go as far as to say that we are not safe while off campus, but they definitely wanted us to be aware of certain areas. There is a public housing district that does not have the best reputation, so they gave us alternate methods of transportation to avoid the area. Another Thai exchange student likened the area to Sukhumvit Road; there are many drug dealers and prostitutes, and people that will take advantage of you at every turn.

After the staff dimmed our minds with the mandatory administrative things (and almost scared us into spending the rest of the week in the housing facility), they took us on a bus tour of Canberra. It was about only two hours, but it took us to the most visited tourist spots. We were only able to leave the bus for a short time, but we were given a good base knowledge on what we should do when we finally have time on our own. There are so many things I want to see!

Since I am an accounting major, I’m sure you can appreciate my excitement when we made a brief snack stop outside the Royal Australian Mint. I was able to speak with a khaawng, who frequents the Mint, and he told me that tours are self-guided and free! You can get into the museum, and also view the factory floor where the coins are manufactured. I can see myself spending an entire day there. Or perhaps a few; you know how I am in museums.

There is another place that I found interesting; the Australian War Memorial. They currently have an exhibit, “of Love and War”, that looks at the relationship that love had in the lives of Australian servicemen and women during war. It is easy to think of dtaa ga yaai and how their love reached many distances. The exhibit runs until the beginning of May, which is just enough time for me to visit before my trip home.

While Australia is a world away from Thailand, there are subtle reminders of home. This morning, as I walked through the campus, I saw a black swan. It brought back a memory of that English pub “The Black Swan” in Bangkok where my friends and I celebrated graduation. Did you know that alcohol was originally prohibited in Canberra? Just like how Thailand restricts alcohol sales just prior to election days.

In preparation for our management class starting on Monday, we are taking a trip this weekend to Brisbane. There is a conference at the Australian Institute of Management. It’s just the girls for this particular trip, giving us a chance to connect with other women and a chance for us to learn from someone who has become successful in her chosen field. The lady who will be hosting the seminar this weekend is Christine Sullivan, one of Brisbane’s leading Naturopaths in natural fertility. I know that this particular subject doesn’t fit with my career plans, but there is a lot that I can learn regarding personal discipline, management styles, and how to interact with clients. I am really looking forward to hearing her speak.

Our trip to Brisbane is not just work, work, and more work – we have Sunday completely free before we catch our flight in the evening back to Canberra. Our maae laao (who makes these trips quite regularly) has arranged for us to go on a personal tour of Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. We will have a photographer provided by the Zoo with us to capture our encounters with Australia’s indigenous creatures. I’ll make sure to get some pictures with a koala for you; I know they are your favorite!

Other than classes, our trip to Brisbane, and the few museums that I want to visit, I plan to try and relax as much as I can. I tend to overwork myself, convincing myself that I have to be at my best for everything I do. It can get tiring to try and be at 200% all of the time. I found a perfect spot on campus where I can sit under a tree with a book or my iPod and just take in where I am, and how beautiful it is. I wish you were here to see it.

I will write again soon. I am keeping a photo journal of everything I do, so I’ll be sending some pictures home soon. Can you put them in a box for me, so I can organize them when I get back? I love you, and will call you soon.

With Love, Lawan-Kulap.