Time Passes By
Our limited article series, PST 137, features writers who just experienced three months of Pre Service Training in Don Chedi, Thailand.
Sam Vansomphone, 137 TESS
If I were to describe what PST felt like, I’d say it was an eternity that ended in the blink of an eye. You come to Thailand excited and terrified to start a new journey, experience living in a country completely foreign to you, and explore scenes you would never find back home. You meet people that you will only talk to for a handful of months, but feel like you’ve known your entire life. Actually, I would say that was my biggest surprise during PST.
It is easy to get lost in the cultural differences: learning to speak Thai, eating at the market everyday, or showering with a bucket. However, my biggest shock was the connection I formed with my fellow volunteers. These past few months were one of the best periods of my life and I can only say that because I got to spend it with the most amazing people. These friends were, without a doubt, my favorite part of PST. We only knew each other for three months, but I look at them with fondness and adoration. We only knew each other for eleven weeks, but I formed relationships that will last lifetimes. We only knew each other for seventy-two days, but I wish the time we spent together was longer. Every second I have spent with the other volunteers has been priceless.
Now that I am at site and looking back on recent nostalgic memories, I can say that they brought out the best of me. I became the best version of myself during PST only because they motivated me to do so. If I were to offer a piece of advice to any readers—whether you are already a volunteer or someone looking to join a future cohort—I would say to treasure those around you because as long as time may feel, it is never long enough.
