When the winds of change blow your way

When the winds of change blow your way

A Thai friend said goodbye to me as he was going to study abroad for two years. I asked him why he was leaving. He had a good job. Going abroad meant he had to give up his job and it wouldn't guarantee that his future would be better. In the end, he said: "Same to you. You chose to come to Thailand to spend one year of your life."

Suddenly I understood him. This decision can possibly make his life richer and more colourful. He can experience a different lifestyle and know a different culture. Me too.

I am not a courageous girl. Before this chance came along I was afraid to change my life. But after I made this decision I realised that while we are still young, change is not a problem. It can mean more excitement, even though it also means more challenges.

If I hadn't chosen to come to Thailand, I could never be friends with people from different countries and I would never know the culture and lifestyle of this country. Before I came to Thailand, I only knew that people are religious and friendly here. When I arrived, I found that people here enjoy their lives. This lifestyle attracts many people from different countries.

For young people, if they choose to work in Beijing or another major city in China after graduation, they also have to face high prices. Housing is especially expensive. For example, you'll have to pay US$5,000-7,000 per square metre to buy an apartment in Beijing. The closer to the city centre, the more expensive. It is too hard for young people to afford an apartment without others' help. Sometimes the rent eats up all of the salary.

So when my friend asked me about the differences between living in Bangkok and Beijing, I always say that living in Bangkok is more comfortable and that I have less pressure to consider how to buy or rent an apartment. If I did not come to Thailand, I wouldn't have had the chance to take a "hot train" from Bangkok to Hua Hin, which became one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I'd never have seen such a beautiful subtropical view. In China, there are many high-speed trains (and Thailand wants to build one, too) because people always want to reach a place quickly and ignore the scenery along the way. But I prefer slow trains, without caring about the speed, because the journey is more important than the destination.

If I hadn't come to Thailand, I would not have had several unexpected experiences. Once, my friends and I missed the bus from a tourism attraction in Kanchanaburi to Bangkok. One of my friends requested a small truck to take us to the bus station. Because the truck didn't have enough seats, we could only sit in the pick-up's bed. While we took the ride between the mountains, we shouted "hello" to the mountains and we sang songs loudly. It was just like in a movie.

After this, I further believe that my choice to come to Thailand was right. I told myself that when you make a decision, after seriously considering it, you should work hard at it. So if I have anything to say to young people, it's this: Don't be afraid of change. Change can make your life richer and more colourful.


Cui Yuchen is a Chinese journalist based in Bangkok on the FK exchange programme.

Cui Yuchen

Life Reporter

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