When: I will depart from the United States on January 5, 2015. I will return June 17, 2015.

How: 

1/05/15 Wellsboro, PA > Elmira, NY                      

1/05/15 Elmira, NY 5:45 am > Philadelphia, PA 7:00 am               (3:15 hr layover)

                                        

1/05/15 Philadelphia, PA 10:15 am > Doha, Qatar 6:50 am            (14:10 hr layover)        

1/06/15 Doha, Qatar 9:00 pm > Bangkok, Thailand 7:10 am                                         

1/07/15 Bangkok, Thailand > Pathum Thani, Thailand       

Total Distance: 8,580 Miles

Total Time: 39 hours  (2 hrs driving, 19.5 hrs flying, 17.5 hrs layover)

Why: I wanted to do an exchange through Columbia College because it would allow me to retain my      current scholarships and represent CC abroad. Because I study political science and there were two available options for me: Canterbury, England or Bangkok, Thailand. I would have studied American Studies in England while enjoying the company of two lovely CC study abroad ambassadors, Donnie Andrick and Jara Anderson. Thailand offered International Development Courses and a significantly lower cost of living. Canterbury is safe, not tropical, and expensive. Bangkok is exotic, cheap, and warm (it's the worlds hottest city). After a few months of pensive thought and one really long walk, I decided on Thailand. 

What: At Rangsit I will attend the International College so all of my courses will be taught in English. I will go to class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. My courses are:

Asian Leadership

Theories of Democracy

Thai Language for Beginners

Development and Human Rights

Who: I am the first student from Columbia College to go to Rangsit. I will be traveling alone. Based on the email lists I am on from the coordinators at Rangsit, a majority of the other students are from Finland. 

Other Pre departure FAQ's

I am staying in a single apartment 3 blocks from Rangsit. It is called Sita Villa Apartments. 

I do not speak any Thai. 

I have never been to Asia (I have traveled to England, Africa, Spain, and the Caribbean). 

A beer costs about $1 (USD).

Outlook as of December 28, 2014

I am terrified, yet excited. I guess one could say that I am anxious. I am confident that I will be able to manage for 6 months. Now it is just a matter of actually doing it. There is a German term called Zugunruhe that describes the restlessness of birds before they migrate--I think this describes me in anticipation of my adventure.