At Khon Kaen University just outside of Bangkok, Thailand, a 2003 scholar participated in a semester long exchange program through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). The student at Portland State University with an expected graduation date of August 2005 is majoring in Southeast Asian Studies. She used her experience in Thailand to improve her understanding of the Thai language and culture. Having improved her Thai language skills to the advanced-mid level, the scholar has decided that work for the government with an emphasis on Asia would be ideal. Her linguistic abilities can only help to strengthen her appeal to potential employers.

Having studied in Thailand previously, the scholar chose to expand her knowledge of Thai by focusing on the Lao dialect. She was able to take courses in the dialect at Khon Kaen, but she also spent time with local villagers in pre-arranged home stays. She credits this as having an even bigger impact on her language learning than her time at the university.

She sums up her study abroad experience as follows: “I have reinforced my personal, academic, and career goals by having the opportunity to study abroad and learn hands on about select issues of interest. Being abroad allowed me the chance to network and meet all kinds of people working in interesting lines of development work, which helps me understand more about what kind of work is the best match for me.”