I spent my exchange semester at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University (NRRU) in Thailand, located in the east of the country in the Isaan region. This experience gave me academic, cultural, and personal insights that I would not have been able to gain without studying abroad. My exchange semester was very different from what it would have been like staying in Europe. I faced many challenges, especially leaving my comfort zone and being around 8,500 kilometers away from home in a country where I did not speak the language. However, with every challenge I managed to overcome, I grew a little more confident, strengthened my problem-solving skills, and learned to trust myself.

Over time, the unfamiliar slowly became familiar. I learned a few words of Thai, started paying with QR codes like the locals, and figured out how to get from one place to another on my own. These small achievements made daily life easier and helped me feel more connected to my surroundings.

The City

Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, is a lively city and an important gateway to the Isaan region in northeastern Thailand. It is about three to four hours away from Bangkok and is the third-largest city in Thailand, comparable in size to Graz. The city is often called “the gate to Isaan”. My favourite places were the parks and the night markets, where people come together to relax, socialize, and enjoy delicious food. There was always something new to discover, and the atmosphere was vibrant, open, and welcoming.

The University

NRRU is a public university located close to the city center and has a strong focus on teacher education and community development. Throughout my stay, the university staff took great care of me, both academically and personally. They were extremely helpful and welcoming, which made it easy to adapt to a new academic environment. During my time at the university and at the demonstration school, I learned a lot about the Thai education system. I gained valuable insights into classroom management, teacher–student relationships, and cross-cultural communication.

Courses

Most of the courses I attended were generally held in Thai. Whenever possible, the lecturers adapted their teaching and taught partly in English. Other courses were more practical, such as art and sports classes, where my learning process worked mainly through observation, hands-on practice, and occasional translation with the help of fellow students or online tools. Academically, I benefited greatly from the art classes in particular. They allowed me to significantly deepen my practical skills in areas such as ceramics and printing techniques, which I had only briefly touched on at my home university. Having an entire semester to focus on these techniques was an incredibly valuable experience.

Accommodation

During my stay, I lived in the university dormitory located directly on campus. The dormitory does not have a kitchen, but the campus offered everything needed for daily life, including a canteen, restaurants, and sports facilities, all within walking distance. I had my own room, which gave me privacy while still being surrounded by other students. I really enjoyed campus life, as this was something I had never experienced before, since we don’t really have a campus in Graz. I even enjoyed wearing the university uniform, as it gave me a strong sense of belonging.

I strongly believe that this stay abroad will be highly beneficial for my future work as a teacher. Experiencing a different education system and cultural background has helped me become more empathetic, flexible, and open-minded in my approach to teaching. It has also increased my confidence in working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. I personally think it is quite helpful to get to know different school systems. It helped me reflect on and better understand my own education system.

Another aspect that made this exchange particularly unique was that I was one of the very few, and often the only, non-Asian student at the university and in many parts of the city. As there was hardly any international community, most of my friends there were local Thai students. Even though it was challenging at times (especially the language barrier), it led to a deep level of cultural immersion and allowed me to experience everyday life in a highly authentic way.

Without this program, I would never have had the opportunity to experience such an authentic local lifestyle in Thailand, far away from typical tourist perspectives. This exchange stay clearly influenced my personality and personal development. I learned a lot about myself and how I react to new and unfamiliar situations. Stepping out of my comfort zone made me more independent, confident, and open to new experiences. It brought unforgettable memories, valuable lessons, and meaningful connections. I would strongly recommend the Erasmus+ exchange program to other students, as an experience like this will stay with you forever.

Photos & Text: Lea Knam