Aksel, Bachelor in Anthropology and letters
Internship Country: Myanmar
Canadian NGO: Forum of Federations
Local NGO: Forum of Federations, Myanmar (FoF)
Every morning, I wake up with the most wonderful views of a lush, tropical mountain, curtained by fog.
And I think to myself, the old adage that this is the "land of smiles" certainly rings true, for I truly can't help but smile myself.
Chiang Mai is an exciting and bustling city that I find neither too big nor too small, and for a nature-lover like myself, it is very well positioned as there are countless mountain parks and trails to uncover. For the culture warrior as well, there are hundreds of shrines, statues and wats that dot the city. Some are touristy and flashy, some quiet and calmer. On top of that though, this city is a gastronomic paradise. And man, do I love to eat. Food in all forms is plentiful (and affordable!) whether you want some great noodles or a plain and simple burger, you're covered. Not to mention the weekend night markets are filled with plenty of cool clothes and crafts. I have more than my fill of tourist goods!
Even at these busy sites, and one or two walks through dark areas at night, I've never felt unsafe or unwelcomed. Of course, though, be sure to use your common sense as in other places.
Professionally too, I find myself greeted with smiles at work. The people at my host organization are incredibly sweet and kind; and always excited to share tips and good food, whether Thai or from the many regions of Myanmar/Burma. My only wish is that I could speak either Thai or Burmese! They have some very intense conversations sometimes, but are always in a joking jovial mood outside work. The workplace itself is well situated; it's surrounded by an urban forest, a local dairy, and just a short walk away from a reservoir where you can find all sorts of birds and cool insects.
Of course, it isn't all rainbows and roses, there are a million small things that might deter someone. Thailand is really hot, the roads are impossible to cross, there's no running potable water, some people might try to grift you at tourist sites. There's an incredible amount of plastic used, it can be super rainy or polluted depending on the season you come, and despite the generally high level of English, it can sometimes be difficult to communicate with locals. (especially because Thai is not an easy language to learn!)
But you know what? During my time here I've found that all of these challenges have faded for me. For every small challenge, there is a small solution. Grab (local uber) is cheap and can take you straight to Doi Inthanon. Local machines dispense potable water for 1 baht per litre. Rain means you might not get that view you were hoping for, but it comes with fewer tourists and more privacy at key cultural sites, meaning you can have a special and unique time with your friends. You can learn to accept that prices will sometimes be higher for you, but still develop your negotiating skills. And if, somehow, in some impossible way, you find yourself disliking this city, then it's completely surrounded by nature, and is an excellent transport hub to all major centers across Thailand and beyond. Sometimes life forgets to give you lemons, it just means you need to make your own lemonade.
Academically speaking, it has been very stimulating to be around people and see how the theories that we have floating around high up in the sky can be tethered down to earth in ways that provide concrete help to both developed and developing countries. I think in the social sciences it can be hard to define or imagine what a career can look like, but having met some amazing people it seems like the paths and opportunities truly are endless; so long as you know where to look.
A huge thank you to the faculty for organizing this experience, and above all to the organization, which has given me the warmest of welcomes, and the opportunity to experience a billion little nothings every single day that have enriched my life to no end. So far at least, this experience has not only opened my eyes to a world of new possibilities, but it has also improved my relationship with Ottawa. I find myself missing the trees, the nature and the festivals of the capital. So I am excited to return later this year :)