Study Abroad in Bangkok: “I Wanted to Go as Far Away as Possible”

Fréya Ondima wanted her compulsory semester abroad to take her as far from Germany as possible. Since March, the 22-year-old International Media Management student from Wiesbaden has been living and studying in Bangkok.

Her classes at the National Institute of Development Administration differ sharply from those at her German university. The English-language courses have only 10 to 15 students and often rely on group work rather than lectures. Because the institution mainly serves working professionals, Ondima attends classes only on weekends. That arrangement also gives her time to work on a project for her home university examining how artificial intelligence affects Thai startups.

The schedule does not eliminate the challenges of getting around Bangkok. Her university lies in the east of the city, while she lives in Thonburi, in the south. Public transport requires a bus, train and boat, so she often shares a taxi with others for about €3. She pays €380 a month for a 26-square-meter apartment with a bedroom, living room and kitchenette, but rarely cooks because eating out is inexpensive.

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I wanted to go as far away as possible.

Ondima’s favorite destination is Talat Phlu market, where she buys Korean gimbap and mango sticky rice for about €3. She often watches the sunset at Lumphini Park, home to hundreds of monitor lizards. Her highlight so far has been Ko Samet, a four-hour journey by bus and boat, where she saw orange light falling across turquoise water and coral.

Even though many things cost less in Thailand, she is spending more than planned. Without a scholarship, she finances the stay through two part-time jobs, tutoring online at her home university and working for the German Academic Exchange Service. She will return in September and immediately begin an internship abroad. France is one possibility. Born in Paris, she can imagine working there later.

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I still don't speak Italian.