4 Months in Paradise – Noah´s semester abroad in Bangkok

The Idea to go abroad

Before starting his semester abroad in Thailand, Noah already had a sense of what living overseas could mean. He had spent a full year in the United States during his school years, an experience that taught him that studying abroad is never just about academics. It is about personal development, learning to adapt, and stepping far outside one’s comfort zone.

In late 2023, he travelled through Thailand with friends for the first time and quickly realised how much this country has to offer; its vibrant cities, welcoming people, and unique cultural energy stayed with him long after the trip ended.

Motivated by these impressions, he decided to return, this time not as a tourist but as a student. Over four months at Siam University in Bangkok, he embarked on a journey that would challenge him, broaden his perspective, and influence him in ways he hadn’t expected.

Why Thailand?

One of the main reasons Noah chose Thailand for his semester abroad was the exceptional quality of life the country offers at relatively low costs. From flavorful street food to modern apartments and countless leisure options, he quickly realised that in Bangkok, even a student budget can provide a very comfortable lifestyle. As a big fan of Thai cuisine, this played an especially important role for him.

Whether it was Pad Thai, green curry, mango sticky rice or dishes he had never tried before, he looked forward to experiencing the food culture every single day. Another factor was Bangkok’s position as the main travel hub of Southeast Asia. The city offers frequent and affordable flights to places like Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, making it easy to explore other cultures and cities during his stay.

Escaping the cold German winter was an additional motivation. Trading grey skies and low temperatures for sunshine and warm weather made the decision feel even more right.

Application Process

Noah applied for his semester abroad through Asia Exchange, and the entire process turned out to be surprisingly simple. All he had to do was upload a few required documents, wait a couple of days, and he was already accepted.

Only a few weeks later, roughly two months after choosing the program, he suddenly found himself stepping out of the plane in Bangkok. At first, the city felt chaotic and overwhelming, especially in the busy central districts with their constant traffic and noise. However, because the Siam University campus is located slightly outside the city centre, that intensity was much less noticeable in his daily routine.

First Weeks in Bangkok

During his first days, Noah went to the university to choose his courses and get an initial feel for the campus. After that, he started looking for an apartment. He had booked a hotel for nine days to give himself enough time, and friends had told him that he could simply walk into different condo complexes and ask for available units.

In reality, this turned out to be more difficult than expected, and most students ended up using local agents who helped them find apartments more efficiently. With their support, he eventually found a place in the condo complex called The Base Phetkasem.

The building immediately impressed him. It offered a 40-meter pool on the 28th floor and a gym spread over the 29th and 30th floors. On top of that, it was within walking distance of the university, making it the perfect home base for his time in Bangkok.

Studying at Siam University

Studying at Siam University was very different from what Noah was used to at his German university. Instead of relying solely on one final exam to determine the entire grade, the evaluation system in Thailand was much more diverse.

Attendance, weekly assignments, presentations, midterm exams, semester-long projects and final exams all contributed to the final course grade. Noah genuinely appreciated this structure.

It kept him consistently engaged with the material and encouraged him to participate actively in class rather than studying everything at the last moment. He felt that he learned a lot during the lessons themselves and that the continuous assessment helped him stay motivated throughout the entire semester.

Life in Bangkok

When Noah thinks about life in Bangkok, the first thing that comes to mind is how often people misunderstand the city. Many travellers arrive jetlagged, step out of the airport into the heat and humidity, get hit by unfamiliar smells and the constant movement of traffic, and immediately assume that Bangkok is chaotic and overwhelming.

And while that first impression is not entirely wrong, it only tells a fraction of the story. Once he allowed himself to truly embrace the city, he discovered how much it has to offer. Bangkok is a place of contrasts and endless possibilities. On one evening, he could be on a rooftop bar during happy hour, watching the skyline glow above the Chao Phraya River, and the next day, he could stroll through local markets filled with affordable clothes and unique finds. 

Some of his favourite experiences came from simple streetfood stands, where he could get Michelin-rated dishes for less than 1.50 euros. Over time, Noah learned to appreciate the small details: the friendliness of vendors, the rhythm of the streets, the smell of freshly cooked noodles at night and the feeling that every corner had something new to discover. 

One of the most unique parts of his routine became his Muay Thai training at an outdoor gym near his apartment. The gym was simple and raw, with worn-out mats, heavy bags swinging in the heat and trainers who barely spoke English. But that was exactly what Noah loved about it. From the very first session, they pushed him hard. Instead of explaining techniques in long sentences, the trainers corrected him physically: adjusting his guard, sharpening his kicks and showing him how to generate real power.

Training in that environment, surrounded by fighters who had grown up with the sport, demanded focus and resilience. Noah quickly earned their respect by showing up consistently, taking every correction seriously and refusing to step back even when the sessions became exhausting. Sweating under the open sky, learning through repetition, pain and discipline, gave him a deeper connection to Thai culture and made him feel stronger than ever. 

Travelling During the Semester

Travelling became one of the defining parts of Noah’s semester abroad. In just thirteen weeks, he managed to go on more than eight trips, each of them completely different and unforgettable. About two weeks after arriving in Bangkok, he and three friends embarked on their first getaway to Koh Samet, an island roughly three hours from the city.

Because it was not yet high season, the island felt almost empty, which made the experience even more special. They spent their days on what Noah still considers one of the most beautiful beaches he has ever seen: soft, bright sand, crystalclear water and complete silence. It was the perfect escape from the noise of the city.

Soon after, he continued exploring Thailand. He visited Koh Phangan, slept in the jungle near Chiang Mai, went diving twice on Koh Tao and explored the stunning landscapes of Krabi by motorbike, even watching the sunrise in a quiet valley at six in the morning. But Noah never wanted to limit his experience to Thailand alone. Halfway through the semester, he and a friend planned a trip to Vietnam.

There, they completed the famous Ha Giang Loop, a multiday motorbike route through spectacular mountain scenery in the far north of the country. Riding through those dramatic landscapes gave him a sense of peace and freedom that he had never felt before. The trip ended with two relaxed days in Hanoi, where they enjoyed the charming atmosphere of the city.

Noah’s biggest journey, however, took him to Hong Kong and China. Hong Kong immediately impressed him with its skyline and the variety of hikes that led to breathtaking viewpoints. Yet the most memorable part of the trip was China itself. From Hong Kong, they took a train to Zhangjiajie to see the Avatar mountains, a place Noah had dreamed of visiting for years.

The landscapes felt surreal, completely different from anything he had ever seen in Europe. After that, they travelled to Chongqing, a megacity with around thirty million inhabitants and one of the most unique skylines in Asia.

Built between mountains and rivers, with layers of bridges, elevated roads and illuminated highrises, Chongqing looked almost futuristic. Everything there was incredibly affordable, and Noah and his friend even stayed in a penthouse apartment on the 40th floor with a skyline view for under fifty euros a night for two people. They spent much of their time enjoying Chongqing’s famous hotpot, a dish the city is known for.

For Noah, travelling through China was especially meaningful. After several years of strict travel restrictions, he felt grateful to be among the first international visitors able to explore a country that had always fascinated him. These journeys across Southeast and East Asia were not just vacations, but experiences that broadened his worldview and became some of the most memorable moments of his entire semester abroad.

Why Thailand Is the Best Choice for a Semester Abroad

For anyone thinking about studying abroad in Thailand, Noah’s message is straightforward: you should absolutely do it. Thailand gives you so much more in return than you ever expect. The money you invest comes back in the form of experiences, friendships, personal growth and memories that genuinely last a lifetime.

For Noah, Thailand became one of the best times of his entire life. He does not know a single person who had even one unhappy day or did not enjoy their semester abroad there. If you give the country a chance, every day offers something new, exciting and meaningful.

Thailand stands out because it combines amazing university conditions with an even better lifestyle. At Siam University, grades do not depend on one stressful final exam but on continuous participation. As long as you stay consistent with attendance, assignments, presentations, midterms and projects, you are rewarded with fair and generous grades. This makes it easy to balance studying with travel and exploration.

And perhaps the most important message: you will work for many years in your life. That is unavoidable, which is why your younger years should be enjoyed as much as possible. These are the years where you have the most freedom, energy and curiosity.

Thailand is the perfect place to make the most of that time. You get great academics, an affordable lifestyle, warm people, world-class food, endless travel opportunities and a community of international students who will make your experience unforgettable.

If you want growth, adventure, meaningful connections and a sense of freedom you rarely find anywhere else, Thailand is the place to go. Saying yes to this semester abroad is one of the best decisions you can make.

Read more about studying abroad at Siam University here!

The post 4 Months in Paradise – Noah´s semester abroad in Bangkok appeared first on Asia Exchange.

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