Life After the Dust Settles
By: Timethius Terrell, CAS ’25
SA: Petition Program (Bangkok)
Timethius, one of the Semester Abroad Global Correspondents, shares his experience abroad during the Spring 2023 semester. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
When the wind travels in this region, it blows clouds of dust and pollutants over Thailand. The citizens and tourists all breathe this air. Very-recently, Chiang Mai, one of Thailand’s most prominent cities, was announced as among the places with the poorest air quality in the world. I have had multiple periods of illness due to the air pollution. When I look into the distance, it’s like I am seeing the world through a reddish-purple filter. Interestingly, one of Thailand’s biggest draws is the environment— the oceans, the beaches, its wildlife, and other elements of the country’s ecology. Sometimes, what we hear is not the complete truth.
Another huge draw for tourists is Thailand’s social climate. Thai people are known for their welcoming energy and politeness. This generalized perception is part of the reason why Thailand is dubbed “The Land of Smiles” . They tend to be eager to help, or in some cases, too polite to refuse. Within Southeast Asia, Thailand is praised as one of the most inclusive nations for LGBTQ+ people, which Thai media takes great pride in. To my intrigue, I also found no reports of negative experiences when I researched the experiences of Black Americans who travel to Thailand. Needless to say, I was ecstatic and eager to embark on my next adventure!
For me, learning to breathe Thai air means learning to confront the truth, even when it is difficult to inhale. The truth is, people who do not have lighter or lightened skinned do not thrive on-camera in the Thai entertainment industry. The truth is, although few will say it directly, many people on this side of the world perpetuate anti-Black sentiments and stereotypes. The truth is that the income gap is quite large, with many Thai citizens living in extreme poverty while neighbors peacefully reside in one of their many well-gardened mansions. And the truth is, while Thailand is marketed as a haven for LGBTQ+ people, the perceived acceptance is often little more than surface-level tolerance, with most people not fully informed of what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Once the dust settles, you see things as they really are. We become so focused on presenting ourselves as good that we overlook the impact we have on the people around us and miss the ways that our environment impacts us as well. This truth is not specific to Thailand, I realized. It is true in the United States, and it is true here at Penn. Studying abroad at Mahidol University showed me how things are when we remove the blinders. My time in Thailand has taught me that building a healthier world is only possible when we stop ignoring that which is unhealthy just to maintain the illusion of tranquility.
As a scholar activist—someone who compiles and conducts social science research to support grassroots movements—it is not in my nature to turn a blind eye. I connected with Campus Curlz at Penn to design an infographic on cultural appropriation. I reached out to student leaders and administrators to build support for victims of sexual violence. And to combat anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination at the systemic level, I founded Pride Coalition, the first university student organization in Thailand that focuses specifically on institutional LGBTQ+ advocacy. I remained in Thailand for months past the end of my study abroad term to continue with these projects, with support from the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF).
I choose to divulge the full truth about my time in this article because I think it is important that all students (especially Black and LGBTQ+ students) are given a clearer view of what it could mean to study abroad. Such knowledge will allow the students who come behind me the tools to have the most fulfilling lives possible throughout their travels. More importantly, I want everyone to know that it is always possible to connect with and make a positive difference for the people around you, no matter where you are.
The Semester Abroad (SA) program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study in a new global community through extended study for a semester or year. Penn Abroad partners with top institutions around the globe and collaborates with Penn’s undergraduate schools to offer programs for students across academic disciplines.