New Experiences

I am Natalia, an Indonesian girl who has already lived in Thailand for almost five months. I am studying International Business Administration in Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi Thailand for one year. Before I live in Thailand, I lived with my family in Jember, East Java, Indonesia. I never go and live at other city, even go abroad alone. If I go to somewhere for long time, I always go with my family. Actually, I ever went to other city with my friends, but it was only four days. Then, when I was in third year of my study, there was an excellent opportunity from my university, STIE Mandala Jember, to study in Thailand for one year with scholarship. It was really attractive opportunity so that I decided to register and follow all kinds of tests. Finally, I passed all of the tests and got that great opportunity. There are only two reason why I was so excited to register it. The first and important reason is I want to make my parents become proud because of me and the second reason is I want to have new experiences by going abroad alone, studying abroad, and learning how to be an independent person who can control and manage all things that I have well. Here are my new experiences in Thailand.

On Sunday, July 31^st 2016, I went to Juanda Airport in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia with two teachers and three friends by car. Then, we went to Thailand by airplane. In fact, it was my first time to go with airplane and it was really nice. After arrived at Don Muang Airport of Thailand, I heard most of people talked in Thailand language, some people talked in English and China language. I also looked many foreigners there. It made me realize that I had already in Thailand. I, my teachers, and my friends were picked up by car by Mr. Wenson who is teacher in Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. He dropped us to Pasongkawna apartment which is our living place. After that, I and my friends went to our room to put all of our bags and took a rest.

 Photo in Juanda Airport, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

            On the next days, there was an International Orientation for international students. It was the first time that I went to the university. The university is so big and has many faculties and facilities. The international orientation was in green building. The green building has twelve floors and the orientation was held at nine floor. I was excited when I could meet with many new friends from Austria, Cambodia, and German there. At that time, I was happy and also nervous when I talked to them using English language. The orientation was fun because there were many buddies who taught the international students about manners of Thailand people and informed many things about the university.

 Photo with international students and buddies in international orientation

            After it, all students of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi started to study in class. I walked from my apartment to the gate 3 of university with my Indonesian friends. It took about six minutes. After arrived to my first class, I met with many Thailand friends. They were talking each other in Thailand language which I didn’t understand at all, but I tried to make friends with them. Some of them can speak in English language fluently and others are not really fluently, but overall they are very kind and friendly. When the teacher had come, all students sat at their chair and were silent. The teacher spoke and explained to students about what we will learn during one semester using English language. I listened and understood it well, but I was still worry when I had to speak or answer questions using English language. 

Day by day, I used to speak and write in English language because I could not use Indonesian language here that other people will not understand. I had to push myself to be brave to speak and write in English language well. I studied six subjects here. They are introduction to international business, English business report writing, quantitative analysis in business, society and economics, social skills, and personality development. I had many individual assignments, group assignments, project, and report papers to do. I also had to present some presentations in my subjects. Even though most of my days were busy day because I had to do my assignments, but my days were also fun because I got many knowledge and friends. 

Photo with my Thailand friends and teacher

Besides about study, I have experience in manage my daily needs by myself. When I wake up, I have to cook rice and food by myself. Then, I eat it, take a shower, and go to university. For lunch, I usually eat my food that I have cooked in morning, or sometimes I buy food in canteen. Every evening, I go to market that is near from my apartment to buy vegetables, meat, fruits, bread, or anything that I need. For dinner, I cook again or sometimes I buy food from outside and eat it in my room. Then, I also wash plates and my clothes by myself. Actually, when I was living with my family, I seldom do it all alone. Here, I learned how to cook and manage all things from my friends, include how to manage and use my money wisely. In fact, being independent is not easy as I ever thought. It needs spirit to do it well.

At last, I am happy since I get many new experiences during live in Thailand. Those experience are so valuable and important for my life. Although sometimes I feel tired because I have to do many assignments and manage my daily needs by myself, I am still happy and enjoy it. I am grateful because I can study abroad to get new knowledge and develop my English skills, I have many friends from other countries, and I can be independent person. Thanks to God.