Through Sunshine and Rain: Learning to Work and Live Abroad in Thailand
By: Maggie Gu (CAS ’28)
GRIP: PR and Marketing in Bangkok, Thailand
One thing no one warns you about before arriving in Bangkok is the weather—not just how hot and humid it is, but how quickly it changes. After multiple coworkers asked me how well I had adjusted to all of Bangkok’s rainy season, I naturally wondered: how bad can it get?
In my first two weeks in Thailand, I’ve walked through sweltering heat one minute and taken cover from a torrential downpour the next. The rain here is often sporadic and unpredictable. Sometimes it passes in five minutes. Other times, it settles in for the afternoon like an uninvited guest.
And honestly? It’s been the perfect metaphor for adjusting to life and work abroad.
I’m currently interning at Escaplan Ltd., a business consulting and services company focusing on leadership training and experiences. One of their most exciting offerings is GoSnoop, an outdoor corporate team-building experience set across Bangkok. Working on SEO strategy and social media for both Escaplan and GoSnoop, I’ve engaged in keyword research, website analysis, link building, and social media campaign management. But beyond learning the tools of digital marketing, I’ve also been learning something much harder: how to adapt quickly.
My first day at work was smooth. I met my team, got to know the brand, and completed onboarding. I felt confident, energized, and excited to dive into my role. The sun was out both literally and metaphorically.
Then came the rain.
My first weeks were full of shifting and adapting, from navigating new workflows and SEO tools to adjusting to language and cultural barriers. As I grew more comfortable with my role, there were constantly new things to learn and interpret. Just like the rain, moments of confusion or discomfort often arrived without warning, but they never lasted forever. Moreover, they always brought something new with them.
The key, I’ve realized, is not to try to control the weather, but knowing to carry an umbrella. Living like a local meant bringing one to work everyday and learning to never trust the weather app forecasts. Working at Escaplan meant approaching unfamiliar tasks with flexibility, curiosity, and a readiness to get “soaked” in new challenges. The more I embraced discomfort, the more confident I became navigating through changes.
This was especially true during my third week, when I got to help run my first large-scale, client-facing event. Hosting a GoSnoop event with over 100 attendees, my team and I made sure to run through the outdoor team-building workshops a week prior in the blazing sun. On the actual day of the event? It began pouring.
Fortunately, we were prepared with ponchos, umbrellas, and a strong determination to push forward regardless. Rain or shine, the event unfolded beautifully. People laughed, explored, and leaned into the adventure.
In fact, I’ll never forget when a participant on the bus nervously asked, “What will we do if it rains?” Before I could answer, one of his teammates laughed and shouted, “Then we’ll get wet!” That moment captured not only the spirit of the day, but also the mindset I’m learning to carry forward for the rest of my stay in Thailand. In embracing the changing weather, I’ve also learned to appreciate spontaneity. Whether it’s a sudden downpour or an unfamiliar task at work, I’m finding joy in the unexpected and confidence in my ability to keep going, through sunshine and rain.