Aggies Around the World: Thai student stays on track
The background of this journey starts a few years ago when I was at a middle of two ways where I was either stepping up to a higher position in my career or quitting the job and pursuing a Ph.D.
The second choice seems like the best option because I think an education is the best insurance to prepare myself for the complexity of the future. So, it made me work harder to prepare for all prerequisite tests, like TOEFL and GRE, which are the great barriers for many international students.
Fortunately, I passed those tests, but I also wanted to get a scholarship. I was also very lucky to meet with my current adviser, a good friend of my former adviser. I contacted him a few times before he gave me an opportunity to study and work with him as a research assistant at USU, and that was how this journey began.
After receiving the official letter from USU, I spent a month in preparation, including applying for a visa, returning my apartment to the landlord, buying winter clothes, as I have been told about winter in Logan, (they were not helpful and I had to buy new ones) and packing all personal stuff. You can imagine a luggage half full of spice, chili powder, fish sauce and instant noodle, given that I would miss Thai food.
I was wrong again: All oriental things – even items from various countries – can be found in Salt Lake City. Finally, I safely arrived in Logan. The trip took almost 30 hours. It took me almost three days to recover from jet lag and a few more days to settle down. In the first summer, I found that Logan is a nice place and people are also generous, as they say “hi” and smile almost everywhere. This reminds me about the lullaby novel that one kid falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world.
Moreover, the USU football and basketball games are few things that make me feel that I belong here. However, an academic life is not that easy. To see the “Dr.” in front of your name is not a simple task: you need to sit and work on many tasks, be independent, learn from your mistakes, get things done in an effective and timely manner. It may sum up to many years to achieve it.
If you want to get a Ph.D., I can give you three keywords: patience, patience and patience. Someone says that to get it, you need to badly want it. You may get stuck, tired and discouraged, but for me this is the way that I chose, and I really want it.
Sarawut Jansuwan is a Study Abroad student attending USU. For more information on how you can go abroad, visit the Study Abroad Office on the third floor of the TSC Room 311.