First Week in The Land Of The Smiles

Swatdee-Krop (Hello) Family and Friends!

Here is a little blog about your above average Beaver living it up in the Land Of the Smiles! (Thailand). I first arrived out here about a week ago at 3 in the morning with three other students studying abroad also from Oregon State. When we got off the plane we could immediately feel the heat, while driving to our place, Bangkok looked just like any other huge city. However, when we got closer to our apartment, and having the driver ask the locals where it could be located we realized this city was going to be nothing we had ever experienced. The first day we went out to go shopping for a new phone plan and some groceries. I fell into my first scam for what I thought was a great phone plan for a great price. Found out the phone plan was going to be able to last me a week, but luckily I found the right carrier and got a great deal because of the university I study at.

The next day we meet our Chulalongkorn exchange buddies (the local students) and they were more than kind. They took us out to one of the nicest malls I have ever been in, we spent 8 hours doing miscellaneous shopping. To put in perspective of how nice the mall is, they had on the fourth floor a Maclaren car shop, Rolls Royce, Porch, Lamborghini, Ducati and Ferrari, I had never seen anything like it.

Here is a picture out side the shop where we buy our uniforms for class (YES, we wear uniforms, and yes, you are smarter while you wear them). The gentlemen on the far right is my roommate, Even, he is from Norway and I could not be more excited to be living with him for the next four months. The two other students are from Wisconsin University, Andrew and Tray.

This photo is all of us exchange guys starting our first day of class, I was pretty nervous of what to expect, but I am beyond thrilled to be studying at the most respected and prestigious university in all of SE Asia. Our uniforms and university is known by every person here. The ones who graduate are offered the highest jobs in the market! Pretty sweet! I only have class Tuesday and Wednesday which is very nice because I hope to study and travel on my days off!

I have yet to go out on the town, however, many students have been tearing it up and it sounds like a blast, I'm excited for my first night to go out! The Thai food is...well it's Thai food. I'm getting use to it and starting to know what I like and what I don't. In my apartment complex there is a little garage and kitchen that many of us exchange students will eat at, sharing our unique stories and making new memories. I love living with so many people that come from many different backgrounds. The number one question as an American I get asked about it "who are you voting for?" I never realized how large of a role America plays in all of these other countries and people are very, very scared of our election and what the outcome might become. It really has made me look into our politics more and ask myself who I want to lead this country, there are very many different views.

Today I went and saw some of the most famous Temples in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace and the Relaxing Buddha, talk about impressive!! The taxi rides are cheap and the food is cheaper, I still have spent more money than I was expecting, but I will soon start sticking to my budget once I have all the necessities! I have to say, I love Bangkok and I am beyond thrilled to get to live in such a city with so much wealth, and poverty. It really is going to change my perspective on the world. Oh, and the Land of The Smiles, I can see why it is called that, everyone is very friendly and are always smiling! Ohhh, last thing, the driving here is CRAZY, motorbikes everywhere, 3-wheel taxi cabs and normal taxis fill the streets! It is very wild! Look forward to sharing the next week adventures with you all!

GoBeavs
GoChula