My experience at Missouri State University
“Why Missouri?” By August I had lost count of how
many times I had been asked this question when I mentioned
my plans to spend a year abroad. Even my American friends
asked me the same question when I was actually there. To be
honest, I did not choose it. I just preferred going away for a
year than just a one semester and ISEP offered me that
opportunity. That was the actual reason I ended up here.
People told me that I was so brave going in a middle of
nowhere be myself.
It is the most unforgettable experiences in my life. I consider the exchange program to be a valuable
experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore
the world from a new perspective. I had a chance to meet
and be friends with people from many different parts
around the world. It was so amazing how many people
and how many different places one can get to know and
visit in 10 months. I learned a lot being far from home,
being in contact with people from other cultures, and
living in a completely different world. What at the
beginning was a cultural shock soon started to make sense
to me. The people I met there and the moments I had over there changed my life and made me grow up. Missouri
State University is a place I would never forget. It will be always in my mind.
Missouri State University is a large university with a tight
community. The moment I walked around MSU campus, I fell in
love with it. Every day when I go to class, I enjoy the beautiful
atmosphere, the nice buildings, the squirrels running here and
there, many flowers everywhere, and the pretty fountain with its
welcoming arms. People are so nice, friendly, welcoming, and
helpful. Exchange students from different countries tend to be
together, which in a way creates a society of international
students which in a way create a so called family that gives experiences and teachings that are hardly taught in any
university. It was comforting to have friends in the same boat as me, new to the country and not so perfect with
the language. We spent a lot of time together, sharing meals and traveling, which built long-lasting friendships.
The first day was an Orientation Day, which informed
every international student what will go on during the year. It
was the place I met most of the international students. It took us
only a few days to bond friendships that would last all year long.
The first week of class was though dealing with a different
educational system but most of the teachers are really available
and close to you, so everything works pretty well even if you are
not native English speaking.
But then as I looked back over the time that passed so unbelievably fast, I realized how easy it had been to
forget about all the differences that might have scared me at first. These things that differentiated our
backgrounds became points of interest and sometimes amusement between friends, and through all our shared
experiences what we saw the most was those things that made us all the same. I still feel like I just arrived in
Springfield. I can remember every single moment of the very first day as if it just happened yesterday. The people I
met in Springfield were without a doubt the best part of my whole experience. They became like my family, taking
care of me when I was sick, cheering me up when I was down, and always being there no matter what.
Additionally, I took advantages of the
opportunities to travel – I went to other cities
every holiday and school break with my friends
from Thailand, who went abroad in other
cities. We traveled to various cities in the
States including NYC, Boston, Washington DC,
Chicago, Maryland, Florida, Texas, California,
Michigan, the list goes on and on. It was the most incredibly amazing trip I could have had.
The year I spent in Missouri was wonderful. I cannot put it any other way. I learned so much about myself
and about the world, I experienced new things, and I fell head over heels in love with a place, a group of people,
and a lifestyle. If you are thinking about studying abroad, stop thinking. Just do it. I promise you will never regret it.
Sopicha Wattanasansanee (BBA16)