How a fortnight in Thailand turned a shy student into one who speaks up.
By Dang Nguyen Thu An University, Vietnam.
The SOC-ENVI International Summer School 2026 was hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Kasetsart University, Bangkok, in partnership with the Democratic Education Network at the University of Westminster, London. It ran for a fortnight in July 2026 and brought together undergraduate and postgraduate students from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China and the United Kingdom to work on sustainability, social innovation and community-based development, in the classroom and in the field.
I arrived in Bangkok as a reserved student who rarely spoke first. I came home with a voice I did not know I had, and with the certainty that, small as I am, I want to use it.
A trip that stayed with me
After I got home, the post-travel blues hit hard. That alone told me the fortnight had not been an ordinary trip. It had been an emotional journey.
Choosing to talk
I tend to be quite reserved when I step into a new environment full of strangers. In the first few days I barely spoke to anyone. I felt left out, lonely, homesick, and at times discouraged enough to want to go straight home.
But I knew I could not stay down for long. I had put so much effort into travelling all the way to a new country, and I refused to waste the opportunity. So I changed. I pushed myself to talk and connect with everyone I could, and before I knew it, the negative feelings had vanished.
Chatting with my new friends opened my eyes to their countries in ways no textbook could, and gave me the range of perspectives I had hoped for before I left home. I lost count of how many times I said ‘wow’ as I heard about the hijab, halal food and eating habits that were completely new to me.
A classroom that wanted my voice
Then, the classes that had at first seemed endlessly long began to fly by, simply because the knowledge and insight our professors shared were so alive. The lecturers at Kasetsart University did not just stand there and teach. They constantly encouraged us to share our own perspectives and opinions. Before this, I was used to classrooms where only a handful of students ever raised their hands, and everyone else assumed it was none of their business.
A lecture by Dr Farhang Morady helped me see the real importance of active learning. Education is not only about teachers talking and students listening. Students have a responsibility to speak their minds and contribute ideas, because we are the future changemakers.
Our final presentation
I will always remember our final presentation. That was the moment I knew I had applied what I had learned over the fortnight: how to speak up with confidence and stand behind what I truly wanted. I convinced my group to build our case study on my own country, on an issue I deeply care about, so that we could highlight the situation and search for solutions.
In the past, I would have gone along with whatever others wanted, always accommodating, never having a voice of my own. Now, I feel proud of myself and grateful to have studied in an environment that inspired me to change.
Teammates without borders
What stayed with me longer still was the bond that formed inside our team. My teammates came from different countries, but once we agreed on the case study, they put themselves in the shoes of Vietnamese citizens. They understood the issues, empathised with them, and threw their whole hearts into finding a solution.
“All the barriers vanish once you share a common goal, a heart that wants to make the world better, and pure kindness.”
I came to realise that even without a shared mother tongue or nationality, all the barriers vanish once you share a common goal, a mutual desire, a heart that wants to make the world better, and pure kindness. You simply become teammates, helping each other grow and working together to make the world a little better.
Learning to move on my own
Outside the classroom, I gradually adapted to the pace of Bangkok. Once our classes wrapped up, my friends and I explored the city and the country. I adjusted quickly, planning our days off efficiently and finding the easiest ways to get around.
Thanks to this trip, I feel ready for further and longer journeys, equipped with the skills to live independently in a new country. It turns out that leaving my parents’ protective arms is only difficult at first. Once you get used to it, independence becomes an exciting experience you carry with you.
Coming home with a voice
This journey taught me that even though I am just one small individual, I still want my voice to help change the pressing issues in our daily lives. And if I cannot do it alone, I still have my teachers and the passionate friends I met along the way. They are the ones who will offer advice, offer help, and encourage me to stay strong.
These fourteen days were a journey packed with lessons, experiences and emotions. I came home with a heart full of energy and a happy soul, and now, when everything has already become a memory, I still wish I could go back one more time.
Finally, my heartfelt thanks go to the Democratic Education Network and Hanoi University for granting me the opportunity to participate in this Summer School. My thanks also go to the teachers, staff and friends at Kasetsart University who made this fortnight a wonderful success. And last, I want to thank myself for having the courage to step out of my comfort zone.
About the author
An Thu is a student at Hanoi University, Vietnam. She joined the SOC-ENVI Kasetsart University International Summer School in July 2026 as part of the Hanoi University cohort.
