Seeking a different perspective on Vietnam…
In high school, Lalitpat Kerdkrung majored in English and French. All her education was viewed from a European perspective. Her understanding of neighboring Southeast Asian countries was very limited. Vietnam, in particular, was known only through its brutal wars that lasted for many years. "Is Vietnam really what I've always imagined it to be?"
That curiosity became the driving force behind Lalitpat Kerdkrung's decision to choose Vietnam as her destination when she won a scholarship organized by the Royal Thai Government, in order to gain a new perspective on her neighboring country.
Overcoming her own anxieties and the objections of her parents, in August 2014, Lalitpat Kerdkrung arrived in Vietnam, beginning a year of Vietnamese language study. This was the preparation for her journey to earn a bachelor's degree at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Four years later, we meet again the valedictorian, Lalitpat Kerdkrung – a Thai student with a tender love for the beloved S-shaped land of Vietnam.
Fortunately, I received help from my teachers.
Despite having studied Vietnamese for three months in Thailand and then another three months in Vietnam, the language barrier remained the biggest challenge for Lalitpat Kerdkrung. She still remembers the first semester's course on Fundamentals of Vietnamese Culture. Every time she read the textbook, Lalitpat Kerdkrung had to carry a dictionary with her. She had to read and look up words in the dictionary simultaneously because there were so many specialized terms. In her first year, she couldn't keep up with what people were saying because it felt too fast. Sometimes she could understand what she heard, but she couldn't remember what words or phrases to use to respond. There were times when Lalitpat considered giving up. But luckily, the professors in her department were always supportive and helpful.
“Luckily, I had teachers who were always caring and encouraging. My teacher also advised me that if I didn't understand, I should introduce myself as a foreigner and ask people to speak more slowly. Following her advice, I noticed that people immediately changed the way they spoke to me. Because I look very much like a Vietnamese person, many people were surprised: 'Oh, so you're a foreigner? Wow, you speak Vietnamese so well!' Then they spoke more slowly and asked if I understood.”
Five years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the girl who was once afraid and anxious about the Vietnamese language can now converse, laugh, and joke comfortably in it, expressing her love for the language. I asked Lalitpat what she would miss most after leaving Vietnam. After a moment of silence, she gently replied, "It's the Vietnamese language. Once I leave Vietnam, I won't be able to use it as often anymore. I'll miss it so much!"
The appeal comes from multicultural classrooms.
The Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language organizes separate classes for international students from many countries: Thailand, South Korea, China, Laos, etc. Whenever we study a particular topic, we have very interesting discussions. Because each student was born and raised in a different country, their knowledge and perspectives differ, leading to very different opinions and arguments. I listened and gained a broader understanding of various perspectives. Similarly, with subjects about culture, each country has its own unique characteristics. When studying the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, we talked about our own country's New Year culture and listened to stories about other countries' New Year cultures. Occasionally, I even "learned" a few simple phrases in other languages. Once, I heard a classmate ask "mwoya?" (what is that?), and I unconsciously explained it. I heard it so often that I became familiar with it without even realizing it.
As an ambassador promoting the cultures of Vietnam and Thailand.
After the language barrier, food was Lalitpat's second biggest challenge when she first came to Vietnam. Thai people eat salty and spicy food. Rice is often topped with fish sauce or soy sauce. When she first tried Vietnamese food, she felt that the dishes didn't quite meet her taste buds; they were all rather bland.
Lalitpat is now familiar with the flavors of Vietnamese food and even advises her family to eat less salty food to protect their health. She excitedly told me about bun cha, bun ca, pho Thin, and especially bun dau mam tom, a dish she "fell in love with at first sight." The fried tofu pieces, with their golden, crispy outer layer and soft, creamy white interior, captivated her so much that she ate only the noodles and tofu until she was completely full.
During her summer vacation in Thailand, Lalitpat brought back the recipe and ingredients for "fried spring rolls with super delicious dipping sauce" to share with her family. The first time she made the dipping sauce, Lalitpat forgot to add sugar, so her mother had to step in and make the sauce "just right."
The fan page about Vietnam, created and managed by Lalitpat, is proof of the efforts you are making to bring the image of Vietnam closer to your Thai friends.
There are loves that come at first sight, strong and boisterous; and there are loves that develop slowly, gently, and before you know it, they've been deeply ingrained. That is Lalipat's love for the people and culture of Vietnam. You share your desire to become a cultural bridge, promoting mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and Thailand.
The journey continues in pursuit of dreams…
Having successfully completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Lalitpat continues to strive and work diligently towards her dream of becoming an embassy employee. This September, she will begin her master's program in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This study abroad journey will not only bring her the love and support from Thailand but also the love and encouragement from her teachers and friends in Vietnam.
Author:Nguyen Nga
