Because I knew you, I have been changed for good...

Our last few days in Thailand were jam-packed with things to do, see, and experience! We had a free day on Wednesday, and many of us spent it in Bangkok, trying to see as many things as possible. Thursday, we had a Thai cuisine and dining class, outlining many of the techniques used to prepare a traditional Thai meal. This was followed by a trip to the market, where we purchased the items needed to cook our own farewell dinner! Going to Thai market is always an interesting excursion. This particular trip involved live fish jumping out of bins, the chefs purchasing random desserts for us to try, and the students trying to decipher what they were eating. After the market, we came back to MUIC, where we assisted the chefs in making an AMAZING farewell dinner. Some of us chopped vegetables, fried egg rolls, prepared mango sticky rice, and mashed garlic. Somehow, with way too many cooks in the kitchen, we ended up with a fabulous meal to close our time together. However, the food was quickly overshadowed by our various efforts to say goodbye, through the Paper Plate Awards, a wai beauty pageant, and group pictures. Watching View and Obb do a catwalk is definitely one of the highlights of the trip. We had an absolutely fabulous time, just sitting, laughing, and talking together.




Wow. Our epic journey through Southeast Asia has come to an end. It’s hard to believe that just two months ago, we were all meeting in Hong Kong for our first group adventure! We have all grown and learned so much, both academically and otherwise. I believe that each of us has discovered something about ourselves, and we have been heavily influenced by this amazing opportunity. And though the program is over, for some of us, our travels continue. I’m heading off to China for ten days, Peter is off to Cambodia and Laos, and several people are spending the weekend in Hong Kong. For the rest of us, home is just a plane ride away. Even though we all are somewhat homesick and ready to return home, the last two months has impacted our lives in so many ways, many of which we do not yet recognize the significance. This program is extraordinary, and we have been forever changed by it. Thank you to all who helped put this trip together, for we will never forget SEAS 2009!

-Meghan