Tag: Thailand

2024 Summer

William Wallis

William WallisSummer Internship 2024Pattaya, Thailand Following a family trip to Thailand when I was six years old, I have always hoped to return to the ‘land of smiles.’ Through Hampden-Sydney and specifically the Compass program, the opportunity to gain summer work experience abroad arose. Since May 2024, I have been teaching English as a second language at Oxford Junior School in Pattaya, Thailand, about one hour’s drive from the capital city of Bangkok. My students range from ages four to fourteen, and working with them every day has enabled me to reflect on the similarities and differences between American and […]

Academic Year, May Term, Other experiences, Semester, Summer

An incredible experience

On September 6, many of the nearly 60 Hampden-Sydney students who had engaged in international study during the past year gathered to talk about their experiences. Most frequently used expressions: “I would go back in a heart beat,” “It was good for me,” “I made great friends,” “It made me appreciate Hampden-Sydney.” Consensus: the food was so, so; it rains a great deal in the British Isles, much beer and wine was consumed; we learned a lot, and it was an incredible experience. For Hampden-Sydney students who grew up in small towns, one of the greatest adjustments was to city […]