Just as a warning - I will probably NOT be updating this blog that often, at least not until June-August when I'll actually be on my adventure in THAILAND!
That's right! My wishes of finally going to THE country where I've always wanted to go to are coming true~!
So, how/why am I heading off to Thailand in the first place? With my senior year of college coming up, I knew it was best to find a research internship for the summer, to get more experience in the chemical sciences, build up my resume, improve my lab skills, and.. in general, just get a better idea of what I really want to pursue. I know that I want to pursue chemistry, but... really, that is SUCH a broad statement right there. What type of chemistry? How far of an education do I want to pursue? Do I want to just do research, teach chemistry, work for a leading pharmaceutical company, start off my own company related to chem...? And, where do I want to do this- back in my hometown, homestate, anywhere in the U.S., or even.. go abroad for a few years, or even, to settle? And what about my dreams of someday participating with an international nonprofit medical association like 'Doctors Without Borders?'
Anyhow. I applied to a few programs over the summer, but in particular, I was REALLY interested in applying to this one that my good friend introduced to me: a biochem/o-chem summer research internship in Thailand! This was just... a PERFECT coincidence to even find out about this internship, since I'm pretty much in love with organic chemistry, and have always wanted to visit Thailand! The only problem was that, when I first found about this opportunity - last year- I had already decided to study abroad in Brazil for the summer (meuverao.blogspot.com). Which... was a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to brush up on my Portuguese and go back to Brazil for the World Cup or even... the Olympics!
Anyways. I was determined to apply for this Thai-Research program for THIS summer, along with some backups of AMGEN-sponsored internship programs for UC Berkeley and Columbia University. With the generous support of the two professors and graduate students that I've worked for the past 2 years at Berkeley, I submitted my application+recommendations in January, and... waited.
I already didn't have THAT high of hopes up of actually getting into the Thai program. In fact, I was actually looking forward to perhaps staying in Berkeley over the summer. I had it all planned out - my LAST summer, officially, as a college student - I would be able to enjoy Berkeley even more, as I would not be taking classes, but instead, continuing my research of this year during the summer, while being able to hang out with friends at night/during the weekends. Berkeley has definitely become more of a home to me, and the prospect of being able to spend time with my friends for the final summer was definitely something I wanted.
But, just about a week ago, I received a phone call from the Thai-Research program, saying that I got into the program! At the time, I was walking along the street in downtown Berkeley, and.. just was ECSTATIC about getting into the program, I must have really fit into the downtown Berkeley scene, looking kind of loony like all the homeless people there, haha! Of course, I tried to keep my composure, trying to ask inciteful questions to the professor on the phone while controlling the pitch of my voice, holding down my laughter, and just thanking god that the professor couldn't see the embarassingly huge smile (exploding banana?) on my face. Afterwards, I texted all of my closest friends, parents... and was SO set on going to Thailand.
The next day, however, after sleeping on the fact that I was able to go to Thailand:
1. For free, basically, since my flight and living would be paid for
2. To work in a chem lab during the week
3. Attend cultural workshops and trips on the weekends
4. Get paid a stipend for my work
5. To EAT one of my FAVORITE types of food!
I started getting a bit.. nervous/cold footed, though... mainly because of the fact that:
1. I wouldn't be able to spend that much time in Berkeley with my closest friends, since the program is 10 weeks long.
2. I wouldn't be able to go to Japan to my mother's hometown/my second(or third?) home, even though I always go back during the summer
Anyways. I was pretty torn. But, after emailing some people who participated in the program last year, asking for some advice.... and after thinking about how only about 8 U.S. students are accepted into the program, how this is kind of a one-time-experience not only science-wise, but culture-wise...
I decided to accept the offer to go to Thailand. I'll miss my friends like crazy, but, I can't help my passion for the sciences, nor can I ignore my love of travelling. All my life, I have been taught that you have to balance your life out, sometimes choosing to make certain things more of your priorities than others, even if it may be a very difficult decision.
There are people that I love back at home, but I hope that they understand that sometimes, people need to take flight, just so they can return with a better view of the skies.
