WE have all been there— dreaming of crossing the seas to reach far and distant lands, meeting people that have stories to tell, and experiencing a culture that is vastly different from our own. 

Back then, studying abroad felt like an unattainable dream, reserved for the elite, the “ilustrados,” the brilliant few groomed to become the nation’s pride. 

While education remains a privilege for many, the circle of those able to experience it has expanded over the years.  

With the rise of globalization came numerous opportunities, including the chance to study abroad. Students from middle to lower income families can now vie for scholarships that will enable them to afford an international education. 

Studying abroad can be a move toward a fresh start, as it offers the chance to step outside the familiar, leaving behind the constraints of home to learn about new environments, cultures, and ideas. 

This allows students to be exposed to perspectives different from their own and transform themselves based on their newly acquired knowledge that would simply not be available at home. 

In this article, republicasia got the chance to interview a Gen Z who shared his experiences about starting fresh abroad. His is a story of courage to face the unknown and a celebration of the success that awaits in new beginnings. 

Start of the Journey

Rayns Keneth Ampon, now 26, was only 23 years old when he decided that he wanted to pursue his masters at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. 

“So, in the Philippines, I’m a college lecturer, and I really wanted to pursue a Master’s Degree and to be a Lecturer-Researcher in the future. However, my salary is really low, and I have a lot of commitments. The pandemic came, and I had a chance to reflect on what I wanted to do in life, so I started searching for jobs that could pay me well to pursue a Master’s degree,” shared Keneth. 

Unfortunately, no suitable jobs were available to Keneth. Either the jobs don’t pay well or they don’t allow enough time to let him pursue his Master’s. 

But an idea ingrained itself in Keneth’s mind. He got it when he was binge-watching several Thai Series about Boy’s Love. 

“Since I don’t have anything to do when I don’t have online classes, I watch Thai Boys Love series. I fell in love with their culture. SOTUS, a BL series, showed me university life in Thailand, the pink drink, the food, the people, and everything I ever wanted to experience. After this, my algorithm was filled with content about Thailand, specifically about Filipinos living in Thailand,” he said. 

“Then, one day, while browsing on YouTube, I saw a recorded open house recruitment for Chulalongkorn University; there, I started planning how to go to Thailand and be chosen for the scholarship. “

Keneth saw Thailand as the “easy answer” to his Master’s dilemma. Located nearby in Southeast Asia, it offered a similar climate, though a bit hotter than the Philippines. The low cost of living, coupled with strong educational and research prospects, made it an appealing choice.

But the decision of pursuing his Master’s abroad is not an easy one. It also means Keneth has to leave everything behind to risk for a future he’s uncertain about. 

“First, I asked myself if I was willing to leave everything behind. It was a difficult decision; when I left the Philippines, I also went through all the opportunities that might come. I really need to commit myself to the process,” said Keneth. 

Keneth is a highly organized person, always planning and strategizing his endeavors. His move to Thailand was no exception. Once he made the decision, he meticulously outlined his goals for his first year, gathered all the necessary documents, and reached out to Filipino students already studying there for advice.

“Even if things do not go according to my plan, I’m at peace if I ever have a plan. It helps my anxious mind to calm down and have a safety net instead of just ‘bahala na.’”

His family was also in full support of his decision. 

“My family has been very supportive of this decision, knowing that they will wait for your return but always wishing you good luck with whatever you do. It is just a warm hug that always encapsulates me wherever I am.“

Adjustment Period

The move to Thailand may not have been easy, but Keneth also had to deal with the difficulties of adjusting to his new environment. 

Although the Philippines and Thailand share some similarities, it didn’t stop Keneth from experiencing cultural shocks upon getting there. 

“Language is a major culture shock for me. I learned the basics during the pandemic, but it’s different when you need to have a conversation. The English language is not widely used, so you need to find a way to communicate with them. They look like us, but they speak a language I couldn’t comprehend,” he shared. 

He also shared some insights about the traffic system and cultural Thai food. 

“While traffic is nothing new to me, their transportation system is convenient, something I wish we could experience in the Philippines. Oh, and I will never forget that when you say ‘not spicy,’ it is still ‘spicy,’ and if you say ‘spicy,’ you will experience the spiciest food ever!”

Keneth also dealt with homesickness, but with the help of modern technology and his supportive family, he was able to overcome it. 

“I send them pictures and videos daily to share my experiences here in Thailand. I would video call them whenever I had an opportunity to do so, especially my mom. I share stories about the prices, the food, my friends, and even my challenges here.” 

Finding a community that acted as a safe place also helped Keneth deal with his homesickness. 

“The community is very important; you need to find people who can listen to you and you can talk to about a lot of things. We help each other cope with homesickness and try to experience Thailand more so we can see it as our second home.”

He became friends with the Filipinos he reached out to before moving to Thailand. All of them were studying in Chulalongkorn University.

“We created this small ‘Filipino in Chula’ group where we will study together, eat in the canteen, explore cafés in Bangkok, and party on weekends. Then, one time, we joined a volunteer activity, and we met international students there. Our small four gays community way back in 2022 is now a growing family of people from Myanmar, Indonesia, India, Australia, and Thailand.”

With the support of his new friends and community, Keneth not only found a quality education in Thailand, but also a community that accepts and welcomes him for who he truly is. 

“After several months of going around, writing my thesis, and meeting new people, I see myself living my dream life in Bangkok. In the Philippines, society is not very welcoming to LGBTQ members; here in Thailand, they allowed me to show my true identity without compromising my profession.”

“The pride parade was empowering, and I felt at home knowing I didn’t need to be afraid to be me. I have longed for this kind of society in the Philippines, and Thailand successfully celebrates all the colors of the rainbow.”

Realizations

A fresh start truly requires courage, as there’s just as much to lose as there is to gain. For Keneth, this is also true. 

“My circle in the Philippines is now tiny. I am communicating with my closest friends and updating them about my Thailand journey. Unfortunately, this is really part of the process of moving to a new country. Living abroad is like creating a different version of yourself back home,” he said.

“In a way, I think I have gained the idea of Thai people about ‘you do you,’ so I couldn’t care less about everything happening in the Philippines and trying to thrive here in Bangkok. This is also evident in my group chats because we are not gossiping as we used to, but we are likely to share our achievements, struggles, and how we see ourselves in the future.”

But although he lost some friends back home, Keneth is still appreciative of what he accomplished in his fresh start. It allowed him to grow and dream beyond what is visible in the horizon. 

Keneth now aspires to push what he can do and aim for a Doctor’s degree in Communication Science. His fresh start in Thailand allowed him to better gauge his potential and possible achievements for the future. 

“Though I must say that my teaching opportunity here in Thailand has been limited to English language teaching, my current faculty, the School of Liberal Arts, has been very supportive of my research area, and they are pushing me to write and publish more so I can grow as a researcher.”

Yet the most rewarding part of Keneth’s fresh start was probably not his academic achievement, but the freedom that came with a culture that accepts the LGBTQIA+ community. 

“The most rewarding aspect is living in a very liberating society. I can free myself from worries that people will judge me because of my gender identity and the way I act. Now, I need to focus on things that will help me achieve my dreams. I lost the baggage that the Philippines told me to carry all throughout my life.”

“As I grow older, I realize that there are things that I need to unlearn as well. I have had toxic beliefs before about how people should present themselves, their outfits, and the way they speak. I free myself from the restrictions of our society and enjoy the process of learning new things.”