Beyond Borders: Bangkok

For the past few years, I had imagined what it would feel like to finally take part in our school’s Global Alliance programme. That moment arrived when I travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, to attend the New International School of Thailand (NIST). Before submitting my application, I struggled to choose between Australia and Thailand. I had heard wonderful stories about my brother Ben’s experience in Perth, yet something about Bangkok drew me in. After some thought, I realised it would offer both personal and academic growth. The energy of the city appealed to me, and the school immediately caught my interest, especially since it was the first time WIS included this school in Thailand in the programme. When I received my acceptance letter, I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. I had wanted to be part of this programme for years, and I was finally about to begin my journey in Thailand.

I flew to Bangkok with my good friend and classmate, Amelia Damon. On the journey, we excitedly planned our bucket lists and imagined what our daily routines would look like. After three long flights, we finally arrived and were met by our exchange families and NIST’s Global Alliance Coordinator. They welcomed us warmly and helped us settle into a completely new environment. Soon after, Amelia and I received our uniforms and student ID cards, which gave us access to the campus and the cafeteria.

The two of us arrived in Bangkok earlier than the rest of the exchange students, meaning we got a head start to explore NIST’s impressive campus and meet everyone! We found the campus much different from the WIS one. While WIS has a calm, outdoor campus, NIST has a busy indoor one. It had 10 buildings and 7 floors. It was exhausting climbing up those stairs!

On the first day, I started off by walking to school along the Khlong River with my exchange partner, Julia. I remember that surreal feeling as I left the apartment with my uniform on and my new ‘NIST Student ID’ in the palm of my hand. As classes began, I was immediately struck by both the size and diversity of the grade. With over 130 students in our year, it felt completely different from what I was used to.

Beyond my academics, I got to explore many different aspects of Thailand such as visits around the Thai Temples, the prestigious Royal Palace, the night vibrancy of Chinatown, shopping at the Chatuchak market, and visiting a variety of shopping malls. I also experienced many different forms of transport such as riding on the popular Thai Tuk Tuks, taking the boat on the khlong, taxis, the school bus, the BTS skytrain, the MRT subway, etc..

My birthday happened to fall during my stay in Bangkok, and at first I saw this as a disadvantage. I expected it to feel strange celebrating on a different continent, far from my family. Instead, it became one of the most memorable birthdays I have ever had. I woke up to Starbucks and a table decorated with small Danish flags — a tradition my host family explained they follow every year. It was a simple gesture, yet it immediately made me feel included in their home. Later that day, I visited the Chatuchak Market and the JJ Pet Market before heading to school for the welcome ceremony. The day ended with a beautiful dinner near Wat Arun that my host family had arranged. At that moment, I realised birthdays are not defined by where you are, but by the people around you. Even far from home, I felt completely cared for, and it reminded me that meaningful connections can be formed anywhere in the world.

NIST organized a Global Alliance day trip to Ayutthaya, where we learned about the history of the ancient capital and the war. We had a tour guide accompany us along with a few staff members. The tour guide took us through multiple temples in Ayutthaya, pausing along the way to explain their stories. 

Throughout my journey, I learnt details about Thai culture that I’ll never forget. These include some Thai phrases, Thai mannerisms, cultural norms, and traditions. 

Every moment of my trip felt like something I needed to document. Moments like going on the BTS sky train after school, walking back home along the khlong, talking with my host family at dinner, sitting by the beach at night with my fellow exchange students, and laughing during our  study hall period about our funny encounters all felt special to me. I knew I should recognize the moments as something I will dearly miss. 

Throughout the programme, I found myself constantly stepping out of my comfort zone — whether it was navigating the giant school campus, socializing with new classmates, adapting to a different family dynamic and culture, or simply learning to embrace different situations and experiences. I learned something new everyday, helping me build my independence, confidence, and understanding of cultural diversity.

Our Global Alliance group, that included the students from other participating groups, connected instantly, which made our experiences even more valuable. It was calming to have other students I could relate to. 

One amazing highlight was when all the Global Alliance families took a weekend trip to Sam Roi Yot/Hua Hin, where we got to really connect as a group. During that weekend, we went on a hike to the Phraya Nakhon Cave, swam at the beach, relaxed by the pool, and went on walks — spotting animals along our way. The hike to the Phraya Nakhon cave felt challenging and long, however, it gave me opportunities to talk to the other exchange students as we suffered together. 

Overall, this exchange programme  was an amazing opportunity filled with personal growth and lasting memories. It broadened my academic perspective and deepened my cultural awareness. I gained real first-hand insight into how education and daily life differs around the globe. I am truly grateful for this experience and wholeheartedly encourage the upcoming grade 9s to seize opportunities like these. The Global Alliance program is an opportunity to build meaningful friendships, immerse yourself in a new culture, and learn to adapt in different environments. In order to take part in this program, remember to maintain a good attendance, get worthy grades, and represent WIS morals and values.

Mika Cohen (Grade 9)