Hi everyone! My name is Leah and I am a fourth year studying Computer Science who has just returned from a full year exchange at Mahidol University International College (MUIC) in the Salaya district of Bangkok, Thailand. As the first student from Trinity to go to MUIC on exchange, I’m hoping I can convince you to pick it as your exchange destination!
Arrival, Settling In and Exploring with Friends:
Arriving in Bangkok, having never been to Asia before and not speaking a word of Thai other than “hello” and “thank you”, I made my way through immigration and out into the humid, organised chaos of the airport taxi rank., Somehow, I managed to make my way to Salaya (around a 45-miute drive from the centre of Bangkok) and my new home.
My first few days were spent uniform shopping with other exchange students, orientation at MUIC, and a field trip to a nearby theme park and water park organised by the university. Being able to enjoy a water park in September was definitely a novelty!
The university organised a ‘buddy’ for each exchange student, a full-time student at the college that would help us with any questions we had about settling in. Through my buddy I was introduced to his wider friend group, and I quickly integrated amongst the full-time Thai students at the college and explored the never-ending nightlife options in Bangkok.
Over my year in Thailand, my friends and I organised several trips out of Bangkok. This included weekends in the coastal town of Hua Hin, taking a night safari amongst the native animals, and hiking in a national park, which served as a great way to relax from our studies – although squeezing up to seven people into a single car could be as anxiety inducing as the walk was relaxing!
The exchange rate between Thai Baht and Euro really made a difference for being able to explore Thailand. A weekend in a villa with a swimming pool for 12 people in a touristy area would be less than €200 in total! It also made trying different Thai foods a breeze, as one meal would usually cost between €1-2, and taste far better than anything I could make myself!
Picking Modules in Thailand:
As a computer science student, I found that the methods of teaching in Thailand focused a lot more on projects and coursework (across disciplines). This really helped me as I adjusted to meeting new people around the college and finding new friends in my classes. Being an exchange student gave me first priority in picking modules (even over full-time students), which made it much easier to get onto any courses that I needed to take. This was definitely an advantage for me, and it’s something other exchange destinations may not take into account!
Optional Modules – Does a Weekend Snorkelling Count as Studying?
Being on exchange also gave me a lot more freedom with my optional modules than you get in Trinity. Aside from my Computer Science classes (all taught in English), I took an Elementary Thai course at the university. This taught me the basics of the Thai language, including key spoken topics and how to read and write. Even knowing basic Thai went a long way, especially when bargaining over prices at the local markets!
I also had the opportunity to take two practical ecology and conservation modules with the college. These supported field trips around Thailand to work on the ground in conservation, including island trips off the coast of Pattaya and camping on the top of a mountain in Thailand’s largest national park, KaengKrachan.
Another very cool field trip was to Kanchanaburi, where I got to work with zoologists and other environmental scientists on projects to improve human-elephant relations. I also got to help out with a snake rescue!
These experiences were a real standout, because if I had visited Thailand as a tourist without the connections of the university staff I never would have been to these places or known about the important work being done.
Magical festivals:
Although Thailand’s beautiful scenery and nature were amazing by themselves, the depth of Thai culture cannot be understated. Getting to partake in various Thai festivals was truly a highlight, in particular Loy Krathong, where people release (Loy) a small floating offering (a Krathong) into a body of water.
Songkran (Thai New Year, celebrated by huge water fights on the street and pouring water on others to wash away the old year and welcome the new) was also an incredible experience – I definitely wasn’t prepared to get soaked by a child in a truck!
The Land of Smiles:
Moving to somewhere so different from home can be daunting. But the welcome I received from both my fellow students at the college, the teaching staff, and the Thai people I met throughout my year made Thailand feel really like a whole new home. It isn’t known as the Land of Smiles for nothing!
Even just the old lady complimenting my Thai when ordering coffee at her street stand (my Thai was not very good) made me feel so welcome. If you even consider going to Thailand on exchange, I can promise you will not regret it!
To learn more about Trinity’s study abroad, international exchange, and Erasmus scheme options, check out the website.
