Chapter I: From the Beginning. . .
First and foremost, I would like to give a big mahalo to Mr. Freeman and the Freeman Foundation for providing me the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream. It is truly an honor to be chosen as one of the few selected scholars for this prestige donation. . .
Another special thank you to you Rikki Mitsunaga, the academic advisor for international exchange at Shidler College of Business, Darrel Kicker and Sara Otis, the International Exchange Coordinator and International Exchange Specialist at the Mānoa International Exchange Program, for all of your time, support and efforts for helping me make my dream possible.
Since I was a little girl, I have yearned to understand and learn about my cultural heritage. I have been raised with American customs—never of my forefathers—all of my life. So in return, it has been a lifelong dream of mine to travel and explore my native country, Thailand. Now that I am of age, I have been given the chance to turn my dream into reality.
This fall semester I will be studying abroad at one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand, Chulalongkorn University. With this experience, I will take advantage to not only build personal-growth, but also professional development. It will enhance my international experience by learning to adapt in a different country’s environment and way of life. I will have a chance to see a different perception of business through another culture’s eyes.
The purpose of this blog is to document my travel experience and unravel the changes that lay ahead through my journey. So, stay tuned and discover that dreams can become reality while all it takes is for you to chase after them. . .