Dear Future Intern,
If you were anything like me, you are searching through various blogs, trying to pull any information that would guide you on your next steps. I would like to say a few words of wisdom; Trust yourself. You are going to embark on the most amazing journey, full of laughter, tears, heartbreak, uncertainty, and so much growth. Let your journey be yours, without any preconceived ideas of how it should look. Allow yourself to imagine what it will be like; the smells, the taste, and the feeling of a new place. But I warn you about generating your ideal situation. Take each day as it comes, hold on to each moment. Though time passes quickly, the memories you make will be engraved with you for the rest of your life.
With that being said, here are a few tips and tricks I learned throughout my time at FED. What a magical place Khao Lak is. I hope you will use these for a sense of direction, not necessarily a how to guide. Make your own!
- Explore, explore, explore
What are you hoping to accomplish through this internship? You may need a few weeks or even months to answer this question but I really leaned on this throughout my internship and used this practice to ground myself. I focused on exploring as much as I could, whether that would be going to a new coffee shop, going to beaches, checking out towns nearby. Getting to know your area will transform the way you place yourself. It really helped in terms of feeling homesick to have a few areas I could go to where I felt a connection. My personal favourite is always the beach (Khuek Khak is my fav) , but a really cool forest or a store that you love, will really help. Some of my fondest memories were spent on my motorbike exploring Khao Lak with friends.
2. Say No (when you need to!)
It is a given that you will say yes. You are in a new place, with new people. I can ensure you will do something out of the ordinary. With that, it is absolutely okay to say no. Do it with the utmost respect. What I have learned is that sitting with uncomfortability is only a blessing until you reach your tipping point. A new culture will have different social norms, ones that you may not align with, and that is okay.
3. The less english on the menu, the better the food
Bang Niang one of the major tourist hotspots of the Khao Lak region. This region will be really useful when you are feeling homesick or on your 20th Pad Kra Pao of the week. Though, you will find that the price of food goes up significantly when you eat here. Instead, opt for choices close to the school and residential areas. Yen Ta Fo Ko Cha and Tik’s are delicious, more authentic, and a fraction of the price.
4. Get ready for the rain
Holy smokes, I had never experienced a true downpour before moving to Khao Lak. I highly recommend keeping a poncho with you at all times, otherwise knowing where the closest 7-11 is to grab one. The sky will go grey, you will feel the wind starting to pick up, and then you have under 2 minutes to get under cover or be prepared to be soaked. The rain passes, but for the time being, roads will flood. Having a few packets of noodles incase the power goes out is key, and try to bunker down for the time being.
5. Be present, don’t dwell on the past
Goodbyes are more common than you would think for the students and staff at FED. The revolving door of volunteers, teachers, and peers, means that saying goodbye has become second nature. With that, the love and kindness you will receive will be nothing like you have experienced before. Give them some time, and soon so many friendships will blossom, filling your entire heart. You will have to say some goodbyes, and the best advice I could give you is to enjoy what you have in that moment. Do your best to keep in contact with them, but know for the next 6 months, these people will change your life.
With all that to say, carve your own path. Try your best not to compare your experience with other interns. Your internship is completely unique to your own. It is your responsibility to decide how you shape it.
Please reach out if you have any questions about FED. This experience is near and dear to my heart, and I am always happy to chat.
All my love,
xoxo, Amina
