สวัสดี (sa-wad-dee)! That means “Hello!” in Thai! My name is Sam, and I’m from Albany, New York. Growing up, my family moved around the United States quite a bit, and by the time I was 18, I had lived in 10 different states! Moving so often made me curious about new places and the people who live in them. I love to travel, try new foods, visit museums, explore nature, and meet people from all over the world. I’ve visited 18 different countries so far, and I can’t wait to add even more to that list!
I’m also half Thai, so Thailand has always been a special part of my family and my identity. My mom moved to the United States when she was in her thirties! However, I only first visited Thailand when I was 17, and I fell in love with the bustling motorcycles in Bangkok, the spicy aroma from food vendors, and how poetic the language sounds. This year, I’ll be returning to Thailand as an English Teacher through the U.S. Fulbright program! I’ll be living in Kalasin Province in northeastern Thailand, a region known as Isan, and teaching English at a local school to students between the ages of 12-16.
One of my favorite things about traveling is trying new foods, and Thailand has one of my favorites! I love som tam, which is a very spicy dish made with shredded papaya. The process of making it involves using a mortar and pestle to grind all of the spices together, then mixing in the shredded papaya before finally serving it with sticky rice. It is a very refreshing meal, and is one of the most popular foods to eat in Isan! You'll often see students eating this during lunch! In this journey, I'm excited to share with you the delicious foods I try, Thai traditions, and what everyday life is like for students at my school!
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
