Zachary D
2024 Thai Student
Why did you choose to study at WISLI? What motivated you to choose our program?
I chose to return to WISLI for Thai 3 due to my positive experiences with Thai 1 three years prior. Advancing in a language in a short period of time is challenging, and I trust the WISLI team to engage students and give them the tools necessary to advance over 8 weeks and beyond.
How has learning a less commonly taught language enriched your personal and professional life?
After completing Thai 1 in 2021, I spent the past two years living in Thailand. Gaining basic knowledge in Thai before working with migrant and refugee communities across the country allowed me to make a positive impact and collaborate with local leaders effectively. Learning Thai has been the foundation of lifelong friendships and remarkable experiences. I was honored to return to WISLI with the support of this scholarship.
What about WISLI/UW-Madison stands out to you?
UW-Madison offers a beautiful landscape and backdrop to summer study. Additionally, the program’s decades of experience are evident in the planning, programming, and traditions inherent in WISLI. It is evident why UW-Madison has one of the leading modern language programs in the nation.
How do you plan to apply proficiency of your target language and cultural skills to your personal/professional journey?
In a month, I will begin my PhD in Education at the University of Cambridge. I am committed to studying the education of people experiencing displacement in Thailand and will continue to advocate for the rights of refugee and migrant people alongside local experts.
What have been some of the highlights of your program? What events have you particularly enjoyed?
I enjoyed creating Som Tam (Papaya Salad) with the Thai cohort. From negotiating prices at a mock market to making the mortar and pestle sing, it was fun to celebrate the elements of Thai language and culture with support from our professors.
What role did the WISLI Tuition Scholarship play when you were making decisions? How would you encourage other students who might be interested in the scholarship to apply?
The WISLI Tuition Scholarship allowed me to begin this year of SEASSI without reservations. To encourage students to apply, I would underline the deeply supportive nature of the WISLI team. Applying to and attending WISLI were made easy thanks to their support. This scholarship allowed me to focus wholly on my studies and maximize my growth during these 8 weeks.
What advice would you give students who want to study the same language as you?
Be patient with yourself. Understand that this is a very fun and dynamic language, which requires a lot of trial and error to get tones, spelling, and pronunciation right. Keep focused on your goals, foster a love of intercultural learning, and enjoy the process.
What is your favorite expression in the language you studied this summer?
พักผ่อนหย่อนใจ means rest and is comprised of the two words พักผ่อน (rest) and หย่อนใจ (relax). In Thai, two words of similar meaning can be combined to emphasize a meaning. I found พักผ่อนหย่อนใจ very charming, and my class made this kind of rest a goal during a challenging and engaging course.