CIEE Khon Kaen DG Program

The program strives to give students tools so that they may learn in their own time the many valuable lessons that come with studying abroad. The staff and communities we studied under provided the dots, but it was up to us to connect them. This sort of empowerment in education is important for young people to experience. Our most valuable lessons are learned outside of the comfort zone, often with tears, interpersonal communication, and striving towards a common goal. I believe CIEE gave us all the opportunity to take as much as we needed/wanted from the experience.
My experience with the CIEE Khon Kaen program was shaped by many factors, least of which was the peers with whom I worked and learned along side. Our student group was made up of some very passionate people, but there was an undercurrent of tension and stubbornness that resulted in our group being unable to achieve harmony by the end of the program. I vividly remember the optional “wrap-up” retreat to mark the end of the program, and only a fraction of the student group chose to attend and reflect on our experience. At the time, I thought that was a problem but in reality, it was a reflection of the priorities of the group. They were prioritizing having fun and exploring Thailand which was indicative of the natural curiosity and eagerness we all had entering and leaving the program. Often that youthful energy created some magical moments; our group danced and played with village children in the pouring rain, went on trips together, and laughed. I believe that the student group grew a lot together and loved our experience in the villages and in creating projects together.
Some valuable lessons I gleaned from the program revolved around human relations. I saw my patience and ability to connect with others grow through village stays, roommate relations, and interviews. By stretching my boundaries and comfort zone, I was able to be a more mindful and present person. Being in a different culture engaged my mind at a deeper level and forced me to observe more and speak less. This changing of my ego allowed me to learn more from others without bias. I learned how to be an ally and a part of the group, as opposed to an individual with self-serving goals. At the end of the program, I had an epiphany: that our inability to come together, inevitably was our downfall. I realized then that I had not contributed to the group as much as I should have. I saw the senselessness in the very “American” pattern of behavior that compels the individual to only act on their own behalf and prioritizes the individual over the group. There must be a balance, of course, but this epiphany shifted my focus so that I viewed myself more as a global citizen than as an American citizen. We are all united, and I saw that more in Thailand than I had before.