Asia Exchange

I chose to study abroad because I wanted to see the world. I wanted to LIVE in a completely different way, not just vacation for a few days. I wanted to feel what it was like to live in another culture, to see what other ways of life were out there. I wanted to make new friends and learn another language.

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I started getting really interested in foreign languages in high school, when I decided to take three foreign languages all at the same time. After considering a career as a foreign language teacher, my interests eventually shifted to European studies and international education. I knew I had to live in Europe, so I did an internship in Belgium and then enrolled in a master’s degree program at Stockholm University in Sweden. I really like the Nordic countries, and I was thrilled to get a chance to work at Asia Exchange in Tampere, Finland.

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I went on an Asia Exchange study exchange in Bangkok in the spring of 2009. At the time I was doing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, but I was interested in business studies and wanted to experience the exotic Asia. I found Asia Exchange online and saw that they offered a good business study program at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, so I decided to take the leap and apply for the program. The exchange has been one of the best experiences of my life and it worked as a spark for me to do a whole new bachelor’s degree in international business, which I’m currently finishing up. The whole experience with the exchange in Bangkok and studying more business led me to apply to work at Asia Exchange, and thus I’ve come around full circle.