The Thai students were studying English in college while I was studying Thai, so this made it very interesting for us to talk to one other. My Thai friends helped me with learning Thai, and they also showed me their favorite places. We went to the mall, the movies and different markets together! I also got to tell them about my own home and culture. It was very nice to make new friends, but it made it even harder to leave and say goodbye to them at the end of my trip!
Another way I got to experience and learn about the Thai community was by exploring my surroundings. After school, I would often walk around the neighborhood nearby. While I got lost a few times, I got to know the area pretty well and even found a few cafes to do my homework in. When I first got to Chiang Mai, I was overwhelmed by how big and new everything seemed, but after being there for a few months, the city felt normal to me. I hadn't become an expert in everything, but I still felt proud about all the things I had learned.
