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Studying abroad in Thailand was so exciting.
We learned so much on our own,
in class, and on excursions.
One such excursion brought us
to a little alternative Buddhist village,
the Santi Asoke Community, up north in Thailand.
The community grows their own crops,
and educates a number of children.
During our entire time there,
we would be barefoot,
eat only what the community grew,
and learned their daily routine.
We met one of the three monks,
and he gave us a tour.
That night, we gathered with the elders
for a Q & A session.
The majority of the people living there were women.
They came from various backgrounds.
They wanted to escape from the materialistic world
and devote their time to what they believed in.
The routine of the community is to wake up at 4 a.m.
The students entered the atrium in a single file line,
while music played.
We payed our respects by bowing before the three monks,
and our next activity was to go out in the field
and learn how to plant rice.
It was hard work, but a lot of fun.
Then we went to the harvesting station,
where we learned how to husk and seperate the rice.
I felt invigorated to be learning something
that connected me to my parents and ancestors.
It made my appreciate my heritage and history.
My experience in Thailand was very inspiring to me
as an Art student as well.
To be surrounded by an environment
of natural beauty was overwhelming in the greatest sense.
I wanted to memorize the faces, colors, and expressions
of the environment and people.
I think studying abroad and exposing myself
to different and new cultures
allows me to broaden my perspectives.
Our last night was celebrated
with dinner and performances by the students.