A different KIND of paradise

By:

Yian Saechao

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After a month in Thailand and making friends who are stressed but always so happy, I fear the end when it is time to go home. It is amazing how in such stressful situations, Thai people seemed to be able to stay cheerful. The culture of Thailand includes characteristics of avoiding confrontations and letting things or misunderstandings go very easily and quickly, which makes for a very different but refreshing environment. In comparison to the United States, everyone in Thailand can easily become friends with one another and rarely have I witnessed much conflict between people. In the United States, I feel that it is easy to know when someone dislikes you or your company through body language or plainly saying it to your face. In Thailand, you would only know that someone disliked you if a friend of that someone came to you later to tell you or you may even never know if someone disliked you.

Because of the difference in culture, I find myself very happy and more appreciative about life and the people within my life. I don’t feel like leaving Thailand because I see in the United States, immediate judgments, strict inclusion and exclusion, and a place of unnecessary competition. Here, I can be me and be happy about being me.

This prompts me to think, what makes Americans or the American culture so judgmental when we are supposed to be a place of acceptance and the so-called “melting pot” of cultures? I understand that there is no way of truly combining all cultures or what not but c’mon! We can get along and at least lessen our judgments. For example, women, why are we in competition with each other?!?! I realize that media can often play a huge role in this but man, why not have more friends than enemies?? Negative vibes are what makes life more stressful and unhappy!

When I get home, my perceptions and point of views have totally changed and I really hope that I can keep it the way it is, because I am so much happier having friends rather than focusing so much on the negative.

Let’s try to bring out a different KIND of paradise in America! Food for thought..maybe. haha!

That’s it for now!

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Yian Saechao

Hey Hello Hey! My name is Yian Saechao coming from Seattle University in Seattle, WA, but my hometown is Portland, OR. I am originally the baby of seven siblings, but I was adopted into a one-child family. I am Iu-Mien. I realize that most people are not aware of who or where the Iu-Mien are from, but we do exist. The Iu-Mien is a small tribe that originated from China, dispersed into Southeast Asia, and after the Vietnam War, most resettled in United States. I am proud to be Iu-Mien; however like many Iu-Mien youth, I do not know a lot about my heritage. Which brings me to studying abroad in Thailand. In high school I struggled with the loss of my mother, caring for my unemployed father and ill grandmother, and later the loss of my grandmother. However, through many hardships comes a light at the end of the tunnel. Senior year, I earned my way into Seattle University through scholarships. I am a sophomore public affairs major, social welfare minor, with a specialization in global awareness. I will be studying community public health in Khon Kaen, Thailand in hopes of rediscovering my heritage and gaining experience for my future career. In this generation where beefy resumes seems to be priority, I want to inspire my fellow students of all education levels to pursue their opportunities and education abroad because in the end, what it truly comes down to is your passion and experience, not words on a piece of paper.