From the East to the West, From Bangkok to Munich

My name is Sooksodsai Sooksomchitra, which I find quite hard for foreigners to pronounce naturally. Therefore, I go by JamJam, which is the nickname given to me by my parents. When translated into Thai, JamJam and Sooksodsai have the same meaning, Happy; unlike Westerners, we were given our nickname at birth in Thailand.

Being in a new place, surrounded by new people, and experiencing new things is a great opportunity to learn and grow. I am interested not only in the academic aspect of my exchange program but also in the cultural exchange and experience that comes with it. 

As an international exchange student from Bangkok, Thailand, Munich has been my dream destination for a while now, primarily because of the stark differences between the two places.

My main diet was rice and noodles, and now I found myself grabbing pretzels on my way to school and nibbling on mini salami as my daily snack. We have a strict 40-degree year-round weather, while I was greeted by snow and minus weather as soon as I landed in Munich despite the so-called “summer semester” I signed up for. But the real shocking realization is the fascination of how I find myself as an authentic Asian who truly enjoys my time here.

Expectation-wise, I did not have any specific expectations as I intentionally chose to be here to explore my academic journey and, moreover, to explore my identity as an individual. I am looking forward to making new friends, embracing new cultures, exploring new places, and discovering more about myself and my passion in the process.

All in all, my exchange program in Munich is more than just an academic experience for me. It is a chance to immerse myself in a new culture, learn new things, and grow as an individual. I am excited to see what the future holds and to make the most of my time in this beautiful city.