I am a Girl From Thailand

My name is Raktida Siri. I am a girl from Thailand who came to the United States in 2002 after 9/11. Although people told me it was dangerous to go to the United States at that time because of the terrorist action that recently happened, I had no fear to go. My parents worried about my decision but they had to let me go because of my dream. All my thought at that time was to make my dream come true in the country of freedom, the United States of America.

I had a dream to get a Ph.D. from a university in the United States. Since I was a master degree student in Tourism Industry Management program at Chiang Mai University on 2002, I had been targeting myself to graduate in order to continue my Ph.D. in America in Tourism Management Program which would be a tremendous value to Thailand, my country.

There are a lot of tourists from around the world come to visit Thailand each year. Not only do we have a wide range of natural resources such as mountains, beaches, and caves, but we also are rich in culture. Every year Thailand has been visited by tourists who are nice and friendly. Unfortunately, there are some of those who lack of knowledge about tourism which might destroy the eco-system and 1000-year-old culture of Thailand accidentally.

As a result of my concern about my country, it leads me to chase my dream. Thailand needs more people who have knowledge in tourism management.

No matter how hard it would be, I would fight to reach my goal. My first challenge was getting a visa through a complicated and lengthy process to come to America and I have sacrificed several things to become one of the international students who has a wonderful time here with educational life at North Lake College. After I graduate from North Lake, I hope to continue on Ph.D level. I have never stopped fighting for my Ph.D. and I realize that there are obstacles along the way.

The economic in Asia including Thailand went down and affected my family financially. My family can support me with a limited amount of budget which I also have to share with my younger brother. So I hope I can obtain some source of financial aids or scholarships that would help me. I know that my family and my country need me and waiting for me. I pray to god for blessing me and leading me the way to see my dreams come true.