I am writing this blog on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, one full day before my departure, and I am feeling both excited and slightly worried about my trip to Thailand. I have travelled to many places and have branched out in practically every direction, both within and away from Europe. I have also travelled east, but the farthest I’ve been was Iraq. Now, Thailand may not be the furthest I’ve travelled, but I certainly expect it to be the most different from anything I’ve ever seen, partially because it is the farthest east I will have ever gone. My travels in America, Europe, and Britain have always felt familiar due to my upbringing in Slovakia. Similarly, my travels across North Africa have also felt close to home due to my Iraqi roots. However, Thailand, at least culturally, feels like completely uncharted territory. Another interesting aspect that I’m excited about, but also have no idea what to expect from, is religion. Throughout my studies and travels, I have explored in depth the roots of the three major monotheistic religions. Polytheistic religions are even more unfamiliar to me. However, Buddhism, the predominant religion in Bangkok, which doesn’t fit either of these categories, is something I know very little about. The influence of religion on regions is undeniable, and I’m excited to see how Buddhism has shaped Bangkok. If I had to pick the things I am most excited about on this trip, it would be visiting the ancient city of Ayutthaya and exploring its temples and museums. I’ve always wanted to go to a Thai Buddhist temple, and I think it’ll be an experience like no other. The religious places I have visited, such as the shrine of Imam Hussein, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the Duomo in Milan, among others, hold a very special place in my life, and I expect any temples we visit to be the same. I expect to immerse myself deeply among the Thai people in Bangkok and really utilise my time at Kasetsart University to learn as much as I can about the students and their traditions. These people are similar in age to me, and I want to learn how their attitudes towards school, religion, and life itself have been shaped by the region. My anxiety about this trip does not stem from a fear of travel; I am fortunate enough to have visited more than 20 countries in my lifetime. It is more about the anxiousness from not using my time there to the fullest. I intend to see, eat, drink, and experience as much as I possibly can. Thailand is one of my dream destinations, but financial constraints have never really allowed me to visit. That is why I am very fortunate to be at Westminster University, taking the module ‘Democratic Engagement in an International Context,’ because it has once again opened up another gate, another world to explore, and another culture to be fascinated by. Overall, I’m feeling very excited to explore Thailand and get to know my peers better.
Ramzi Salim Hikmet