I was first introduced to Thailand as an exchange student just after my 15th birthday. When I decided that I wanted to spend a year abroad, the exchange student organization had asked me to name the top three countries in which I would like to live. I chose Australia, Brazil and Costa Rica. It turns out that these are the countries most Americans choose. They got back to me and said that they could offer me a half scholarship if I went to a country called Thailand. At the time, like most Americans I knew nothing about Thailand and had only a vague idea where it could be found on a map. But more than anything, I wanted to have an overseas experience. The half scholarship sounded good and I signed on the dotted line.
After spending a year living with a Thai family and attending an all Thai school, I returned to the US where I quickly found that I desperately missed Thailand. Something was clearly missing in the US. After graduating from high school, I headed straight back, traveling around the entire country before settling in Bangkok. For one year I lived in the center of the city, working as the token white guy in TV commercials and movies. After attending university in Australia, I returned to Thailand and settled in the city of Chiang Mai in the North of the country. I have come to love the Thai people, culture and way of life. I have great Thai friends and expatriate friends alike. I am completely happy here and I could not imagine ever returning to live in the US. One day, I believe you will know exactly how I feel.
Read more:
http://www.successful-thai-living.com
07-28-2006, 08:21 PM
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