Ms. Wiphawan Songsang, a second-year international student at Walailak University International College (WUIC) from Thailand.
I have dreamed since childhood of experiencing life abroad. Walailak University International College (WUIC) is the first step that has allowed me to pursue my dream of going overseas. I was given the opportunity by my professor to become an Saint-Petersburg University of Management Technologies and Economics exchange student in Russia.
My first chance to participate in an exchange program in Russia opened up a world of new, challenging experiences that transformed my perspective—from encountering a culture entirely different from what I was used to, to learning about the unique lifestyle and mindset of the Russian people.
The journey began with excitement and a bit of anxiety as I went through the process of preparing documents such as the visa and airplane ticket. Upon landing at the airport, the cold weather immediately evoked a sense of novelty in me—I experienced snow for the first time. Even though I faced challenges in adapting to the weather and the different culture, the assistance from my Russian student friends helped me get through everything smoothly.
University Life
At the university, I encountered a teaching method that emphasizes analysis, deep thinking, and hands-on practice—quite different from the approach I was used to in Thailand. The classes are conducted primarily in English, which has made me more enthusiastic about learning, more confident to speak, communicate, and ask questions. I experienced a completely new classroom atmosphere that contrasts significantly with what I was accustomed to in Thailand. The professors are always ready to explain, and my classmates are always willing to help.
Living abroad is not just about learning inside the classroom; it also broadens my perspective on society and culture. It allowed me to see the world on a larger scale—gaining new insights by forming friendships with international peers, exchanging cultural experiences, trying local Russian food for the first time, and having the opportunity to visit important landmarks in Russia, such as the Hermitage Winter Palace. Meeting new friends in a foreign land for the first time left a profound impression on me.
