Being able to come to Chiang Mai for a second time has allowed me to fully understand the importance of interpersonal relationships. Though I still find the monuments and the luster of the city just as breathtaking, they don’t compare to the rush and excitement I get out of being able to reconnect with those I have not seen for a year. Regardless of the language barrier and time passed, I still feel a strong sense of belonging. It is just these relationships and emotional transactions that truly transform an experience. Not only do I have a deeper understanding of Thai culture but I believe I have found family thousands of miles away from what I consider home.
I am extremely thankful for having been greeted so warmly by not only MAP staff but also by the interns that we were able to teach last year. Though the language barrier still persists, it seems as if we have surpassed this and come to understand each other on another level. Needless to say, I am excited for what the next five weeks will look like!
- Wendy