Camille had already done this before. Exchange programmes in South Korea, internships in Cambodia. She knew what it felt like to land somewhere new, figure it out, and come home a bit different. So when she chose Thailand for her next chapter, she knew what she was signing up for.
Bangkok still surprised her.
Why Thailand, and why now?
For Camille, going abroad has always been about more than just the experience itself. It’s about what it does to you, professionally and personally, in ways that simply don’t happen when you stay close to home.
“Studying and doing internships abroad are the best way to improve your resume and give you more opportunities. Most importantly, it allows you to develop skills that you could never have by staying in your country or comfort zone.”- Camille
Thailand felt like the right fit: a country full of culture and energy, easy to travel around, and a great place to keep building her network in Asia. She found Asia Exchange, secured her place in Bangkok, and went.
Landing in Bangkok
Camille thought she had a good sense of what a big city felt like. She’d been to Seoul, spent time in New York. But Bangkok was on another level.
“When I arrived I felt like everything was so huge. I’ve been to Seoul, New York… but it wasn’t as impressive as Bangkok.”- Camille
The campus felt the same way at first: big, easy to get lost in, but full of outdoor spaces and good spots to sit with a coffee before class. The kind of place that starts to make sense once you spend time in it.
And the people helped with that too. Bangkok has a genuine warmth to it, and Camille felt it from day one.
“The people here, from the very beginning until now, are so nice and they always smile. They are always ready to help you.”- Camille
Student life in Bangkok: what it actually looks like
Camille’s days have a good rhythm to them. Mornings and afternoons are for exploring: temples, markets, cafes, museums, whatever she feels like that day. Classes run from 6 to 9 in the evening. After that, friends at a rooftop or a night market, then home, then the same again tomorrow.
On days off, she and her roommate would pick somewhere a couple of hours away and go. Kanchanaburi, smaller provinces, places that felt like a proper change of scenery without taking much time. And on longer breaks, further afield: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai.
“To be able to go anywhere in Thailand even when you don’t have much time is something incredible. If I feel a bit homesick or if I just want a change of view, I take a bus.”- Camille
Two things she didn’t see coming
Getting around Bangkok turned out to be one of the easiest parts of living there. A taxi or a moto, booked in under a minute, always affordable. The city that looks overwhelming from the outside is actually quite easy to navigate once you’re in it.
The other surprise was the healthcare. Camille needed hospital treatment twice during her stay, and both times she was seen and out in under three hours, at a cost well below what she’d paid elsewhere. It’s not something you think about before you go, but when you’re living somewhere for months on end, it’s genuinely reassuring to know.
Making friends in Bangkok
Between her condo community, the KIMBA programme, and the university’s buddy system, Camille found that Bangkok makes it easy to meet people as long as you’re willing to put yourself out there. She made friends from all over the world, and one person from her master’s classes who has since become one of her closest friends.
“It’s really easy to make friends as long as you register for different activities with the university.”- Camille
What’s next: she’s not leaving
Camille’s exchange is over. Her master’s is done. And she has no plans to go back to France.
She’s looking for work in Bangkok now, staying in a city and a country that she enjoyed far more than she expected to.
“I’m excited to start working here full time. I’m actually looking for some opportunities here since I fell in love with this country.”- Camille
Her favourite memory so far
Camille’s favourite photos are from a trip to Chiang Rai in February. A temple, a clear sky, and a view so beautiful she stood there and cried.
“It’s my favourite picture because I remember it was so stunning I cried while watching the landscape.”- Camille
That’s what studying abroad in Thailand can look like. Not just a semester, but a place you end up wanting to stay.
Want to write your own story in Thailand? Camille found her path through Asia Exchange.
Explore our programmes and start your application today!
