Since the close of 2024, I’ve held a quiet resolve in my heart—to take a step that would test my spirit and enrich my soul: to volunteer once more. And now, that path has led me here, to Songkhla, Thailand, in the gentle warmth of May 2025. I planned everything carefully, yet deep down, I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious—it had been seven years since I last stepped beyond my country’s borders. But all that worry melted away the moment I arrived. I was warmly welcomed by Que, my camp leader, and embraced with kindness by my host family in Thailand.

I know I’ll miss the delicious meals cooked by Mrs. Thao—the mother of the house—who never let me finish without asking me to take another helping. And Mr. Somboon, who always tried speaking to me in Malay so we could understand each other better. I’ll never forget how they’d always ask, "Aray mai?" to make sure the food suited my taste. And I always replied, “Aray!”—delicious! If there were a word greater than ‘delicious,’ I’d use it to describe Mrs. Thao’s cooking.

There was Oak, who greeted me every day, asked what I was up to, and showed me funny TikTok videos to make me smile. And of course, my sweet little sister, Ing—our bond was instant from the moment we met, united by our shared love for cats. She was my constant companion at home, taking me to play with her cat Shaku and its three kittens, riding bicycles with me in the golden light of the late afternoon, and even sleeping beside me every night. Though our time together was brief, Ing felt like a real sister to me—and this family, like home.

By nature, I’m a quiet and shy person, so standing in front of a classroom to teach was a real challenge—one that made me nervous. I’ve never been confident speaking in public, but this experience made me feel like a different version of myself. I taught at Patongwottaya Multinithi School, and every morning on teaching days, Miss Saifon, one of the English teachers, would kindly pick up both me and Que.

At school, I was always accompanied by Miss Nadia, another English teacher who welcomed me with great enthusiasm. She introduced me to all the teachers and students and supported me throughout the teaching process. There were also Miss Shania and Miss Engon, who always kept me company during lunch, and Miss Na, who often chatted with me—she once studied English in Indonesia, which sparked our connection. Teaching soon became something I no longer feared. In fact, it became the highlight of my days, thanks to the students’ energy and curiosity. They greeted me warmly every time we crossed paths, their excitement turning each class into something joyful. Though my time at the school was short, the memories are anything but fleeting. If anything, this experience helped me realize that I’m capable of so much more than I ever believed.

When I wasn’t teaching at school, I spent my time planting vegetables in my host family’s garden. It was actually my first time gardening, and the experience left a lasting impression on me. There was something peaceful and grounding in working with the soil—it inspired me to start my own little garden once I return home.  

On my last day, I had the chance to teach at a different school— Ban Kao Rang School. Stepping into a new classroom, meeting new faces, and sharing that final day as a teacher felt like the perfect closing chapter to this meaningful journey. Even in that short time, the warmth of the students and teachers left a lasting impression on my heart. Mr. Haris kindly helped Que and me adjust to the sudden change in our teaching schedule. I was so happy to be able to teach at an elementary school—the students were incredibly cute and full of charm. I even got to play a few fun games with them. I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that I couldn’t stay longer. Still, the experience left a deep impression on me—sweet, simple moments that I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Two weeks may seem like a short time—but for me, they were more than enough to shift the way I see myself and others, even those I had just met. Each day here became a gentle lesson, showing me how much I’ve grown as a person—how far I’ve come without even realizing it. It also gifted me countless new experiences—each one a stepping stone toward becoming a better version of myself in the days to come.