Samantha Manning is a student at University of Northwestern – St. Paul and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. She studied abroad with ISA in Bangkok, Thailand.
It’s my last week in Bangkok, and I can’t help but reflect on the amazing experience that Thailand has given me. Here is my Thailand Top Ten.
- The Beauty
Thailand is breathtaking. In the past few months, I have seen and experienced how truly beautiful this country is.
- The Adventure
Thailand is for adventurers. Between the mountains of the North and the beaches of the South, the opportunities for exploring and discovering are endless. There’s something for everyone: rocking climbing, cliff jumping, deep sea diving, zip lining, rafting, and biking… Just to name a few.
- The Entertainment
Thai people are very talented, whether that is in music, art, athletics, or my personal favorite: throwing fire.
- The History
Thailand has a long and proud history. This photo was taken at the ruins of the previous dynasty: the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. The history of Thailand has shaped what the Kingdom has become today; the religion, the social system, and the economy have all come from years of both preserving tradition and implementing change.
- The Architecture
Thai architecture is like nothing I’ve seen before. Temples and royal buildings are covered in ornate detail, and each is a work of art.
- The Food
It’s the thing I’m going to miss most about Thailand. Thai food is simply AMAZING.
- The Traditions
Thai people are very proud of their culture and traditions. The Royal Family and local businesses have taken the initiative to preserve traditional handicrafts. These women from the Banthi Village work cooperatively to produce traditional hand-woven textiles.
- The Landscape
Mountains, fields, jungles, forests, islands, and beaches… Thailand has it all.
- The Culture
Studying abroad in Thailand has been a cultural experience beyond anything I expected, and I have loved it. I have gotten to see another way of life. Festivals, like Loy Kratong, are just one way of experiencing the rich culture of Thailand.
- The People
The absolute best part about my semester in Thailand has been the people. Getting to know and learn from my new friends about each of the points mentioned above has been more rewarding than each of those things on their own. It has been the hospitable and welcoming people of this country that have made this past semester the best one of my life! I am very thankful for the people of Thailand.
Beautiful!