My way in: Studying in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand

Last summer, Leyanis Diaz ’15 traveled to Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand as part of the Honors College’s study abroad program. Diaz – a journalism and mass communication grad with a minor in hospitality – shares her experience in the blog post below. The piece originally appeared in the college’s magazine, Summa Cum Laude.

By Leyanis Diaz

The first Friday of the fall semester, those of us interested in studying abroad reported to the Honors College office, deposit in hand.
The line curved outside and around the building. At 9:01 a.m. Luli Szeinblum, the program coordinator, walked out and gave us each a ticket.

Since the trips were first come, first served, a ticket reserved your spot. Ms. Szeinblum asked: “Who is here for Italy?” Fifteen students raised their hands and were handed a dark blue ticket. She then asked who wanted to go to France; 20 students received a forest green ticket. When she asked who was going to Cambodia and Vietnam, only two of us raised our hands for a red ticket.

This was the moment I knew I had made the right choice. St. Augustine once said that “the world is a book and those who do not travel read only
a page.”

The Honors College prides itself on providing an education that is Worlds Ahead, and in keeping with this idea, I felt that my education would not be complete without studying abroad. There were Honors trips to many places, but I thought to myself, “I could go to Europe and the Caribbean whenever I want.  When will I ever be able to study in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand again?”

Bangkok, Thailand

So, clenching my red ticket, I considered what was ahead. The trip gave promise of traveling first to Bangkok, then to Vietnam to learn about the importance of the U.S.-Vietnam War and key cultural and historic sites. Lastly and most importantly, we would head to Cambodia, where we’d work with local school students and teachers, learning from them as they learned from us, interchanging experiences, cultures, languages and friendship.

But the trip was so much more than that! This experience got me out of my comfort zone and expanded my horizons enormously. It also helped me understand the world we live in a little better. In short, it surpassed all of my expectations.

There were exotic animals; breathtaking temples; some of the nicest, most polite people you’ll ever encounter; delectable new foods; and memories to cherish for a lifetime. I went ziplining. I rode an elephant and a tuk-tuk. I got my hair washed in Vietnam – a must when visiting. I taught English as a second language at two schools. I was awed by a waterfall.
 I visited elaborate ancient palaces, temples and ruins. I volunteered with Build Your Future Today, assisting in providing health care and information to people in remote Cambodian villages. I learned new languages, bought some really cute pants, and made friends with locals and tourists alike.

I must admit that, at first, I encountered some trials. My dream trip at the beginning was more of a nightmare. Adjusting to the time zone, the climate, new foods, and the fears my mother instilled in me by repeating, “Always explore with a buddy!” made the rest few days difficult. Moreover, being away from home for over a month was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done – but one of the most rewarding.

And what have I learned? I learned that my perception of the world wasn’t reality. I learned that standing in line for the newest iPhone is not such a big deal when many people don’t even have reliable access to water. I learned that I have much to be thankful for and that in order to make a difference in the lives of others, you must understand the lives of others.

Growing up, my mother always told me that education was “my way out,” but it wasn’t until I spent time on the other side of the world that I realized it was really my way in.