九色导航

鈥榃hat started as an internship soon became a journey filled with unexpected friendships, hilarious cultural moments, and lessons I鈥檒l carry with me forever.鈥�

Just two days after presenting my final-year project, I found myself on a plane to Thailand. Wrapping up my degree while managing all the paperwork for the internship was hectic, but as soon as I landed, I knew it was worth it. This trip wasn鈥檛 just about work鈥攊t was about embracing a new culture, meeting incredible people, and stepping outside my comfort zone.

The Internship Experience

At Kasetsart University, I joined the Faculty of Science and Engineering, focusing on data analysis with tools like Power BI and machine learning. Working on research projects and collaborating with professors and students gave me a deeper understanding of how data can address real-world challenges. The environment was vibrant and diverse, with interns from various countries all bringing fresh perspectives and different approaches to problem-solving.

Cycling, Alarms, and Lunchtime Traditions

One of my daily joys was cycling through the lush, expansive campus of Kasetsart University. The greenery and calm felt like biking through a mini forest every morning. However, my mornings also included some drama, courtesy of my roommate鈥攚ho became like a sister to me. Her alarm would ring endlessly, yet she鈥檇 keep sleeping until I鈥檇 finally have to wake her up myself! This quirky routine became something I looked forward to every day.

Lunch with friends was another highlight. Our go-to spot was a little restaurant near the dorm, where we鈥檇 share laughs and stories. These meals became cherished moments, simple but filled with warmth and friendship.

Scooter Adventures and Cultural Missteps

Some of my funniest memories happened on scooters. One day, as we hopped on a scooter to explore, my friend, who was driving, thought we were all set and took off鈥攐nly to realise she鈥檇 left our third friend standing confused on the curb! Moments like these made each day an adventure. I also tried learning a bit of Thai, throwing around phrases like 鈥渟uay鈥� (beautiful) and 鈥渁roy鈥� (delicious) with mixed success, which always left us laughing. These little language exchanges connected me to Thailand in such a unique way.

Late Nights, Curfews, and Lasting Friendships

Boxzone was our favourite hangout spot for dinner and unwinding after work. With an 11 pm curfew at our dorm, we sometimes found ourselves sleeping over at a Thai friend鈥檚 place if we couldn鈥檛 make it back in time. These impromptu sleepovers turned into some of our best nights鈥攆illed with late-night chats, laughter, and stories. We鈥檇 even go to the local mall to watch Thai movies, enjoying the experience despite not understanding much of the dialogue. One memorable day, my friends and I spent time planting rice together. Working side-by-side in the fields, laughing and learning, it felt like a scene from a movie.

Meeting people from different parts of the world鈥擵ietnam, India, Cambodia, the UK鈥攚as a big part of my experience. We shared stories about our homes, cultures, and traditions, finding both differences and surprising similarities. A particularly memorable conversation was with a British friend about moving out for independence, which is quite common in his culture but rare in Nepal. This simple chat opened my mind to different perspectives on independence and family.

The kindness of Thai people amazed me constantly. One day, a vendor at the university market mistook me for a local and started speaking Thai. I couldn鈥檛 understand everything, but somehow we managed to haggle, and he even gave me a discount. These small acts of warmth made me feel even more connected to the culture.

Delicious Food and Unforgettable Moments

Thai food was incredible! My favourites quickly became pad Thai and Thai tea, both of which I miss dearly now that I鈥檓 back home. My professor even gifted us packets of Thai tea to take back, but I still haven鈥檛 been able to capture that authentic taste. There鈥檚 something about enjoying it in Thailand that makes it extra special.

One of my most unique experiences was at a Buddhist temple, where we slept like nuns with no phones or distractions, just pure tranquillity. Practising rhythmic hand-movement meditation in such a serene environment was incredibly calming (although sharing the room with a few geckos made it a bit more thrilling than I鈥檇 expected!).

Cultural Exchange: Bringing Bara to the Table

A cultural exchange day allowed us to share a taste of our heritage through food. Being a Newari girl, I decided to make Bara (a traditional lentil pancake) with spiced potatoes. It was such a hit that half of it was gone before I鈥檇 even finished cooking! Sharing a piece of my culture and tasting dishes from all over Asia was a bonding experience that brought us closer together.

Challenges and Sweet Surprises

Not everything was smooth sailing; the language barrier was challenging, especially when ordering food. I learned to count from 1 to 1000 in Thai (a skill I鈥檓 oddly proud of!) and even managed to share a Nepali recipe with a local restaurant owner, who surprised us by cooking it. Having a taste of home was comforting, although I grew to appreciate Thai flavours too.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

If I could relive any moment from my trip, I鈥檇 go back to the very beginning. From the moment I landed in Thailand on 5th June, each day was filled with experiences that shaped me. As soon as I returned, my graduation ceremony awaited, marking the perfect end to this chapter. Reflecting on it all, I feel incredibly lucky to have spent my time learning, growing, and making lifelong friends.

From learning hand-movement meditation in a temple to riding a horse for the first time, every day added a new story to my journey. The souvenirs I brought back鈥攖raditional Thai dresses, fridge magnets, and beautiful memories鈥攔emind me of the incredible time I had. And honestly, I can鈥檛 wait to go back.

Author Bio

Gita Maharjan is a recent BSc Computing graduate from 九色导航, passionate about technology and software development. Her hands-on experience spans research and practical applications, and she thrives in multicultural, collaborative environments. Outside of work, Gita enjoys new adventures and connecting with different cultures, often finding joy in exploring new places and engaging in outdoor activities.