The day finally came—orientation week at Chulalongkorn University.
I stood outside the International Student Dormitories, suitcase at my side, staring up at the tall cream-colored building with its rows of windows reflecting the Bangkok sun. My heart pounded—not with fear, but with the thrill of stepping into a new chapter of life.
"Here we go, Shelly," I whispered, gripping the handle of my luggage.
Inside, the lobby buzzed with students from all over the world. I heard English, Thai, Korean, French, and accents I couldn't even place. Everyone had the same wide-eyed look of anticipation.
The dorm matron smiled warmly as she handed me my keys. "Room 506. You'll share with another international student."
I nodded quickly. "Thank you!"
---
When I opened the door to my new room, I gasped. Two single beds with soft comforters, a shared desk, and a balcony overlooking the city. For a student dorm, it felt like luxury.
My roommate turned from unpacking her suitcase. She was petite, with curly hair and glasses that made her look gentle but confident.
"Hi! You must be Shelly. I'm Amara—from Kenya."
Relief washed over me. A familiar accent, a little piece of home. "Wow, hi! I'm from Zimbabwe," I said, hugging her lightly.
"Looks like we're going to survive this together," Amara grinned.
I laughed. "Survive and hopefully thrive."
---
We spent the afternoon unpacking—clothes, books, toiletries, decorations. I taped up a small vision board above my bed: Chulalongkorn University, Academic Excellence, YouTube Milestone: 100k Subscribers, Thailand Dreams. And tucked at the corner? A photo of Ohm Pawat smiling from a magazine cutout.
Amara raised an eyebrow. "Okay, spill. Who's that?"
I blushed furiously. "Long story. Let's just say… he's one of the reasons Thailand pulled me in."
Amara burst out laughing. "Girl, you're studying in the land of your celebrity crush? Dangerous."
---
That evening, the university held a welcome dinner for all international students. The hall glittered with lights, and the smell of Thai food filled the air—curries, satay, fried rice.
I sat with Amara and a group of new friends: Jin from South Korea, Maria from Spain, and Ethan from the US. We clinked glasses of juice together.
"To new beginnings," Ethan said.
"To surviving Bangkok traffic," Maria added.
"To passing SATs and A-Levels," I whispered under my breath, earning a grin from Amara.
---
Later that night, I called my family back home on video chat. They crowded into the living room, all talking at once.
"Show us your room!" Leratho shouted.
"Introduce us to your roommate!" Clifton demanded.
"Did you see Ohm yet?" Caro teased, smirking.
I groaned, flipping the camera to Amara. "This is Amara, my roommate. Save me from them."
Amara laughed, waving. "Nice to meet you, Shelly's family! Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't faint if she sees Ohm."
My siblings howled with laughter. Even Dad chuckled, shaking his head. "We're proud of you, my girl. Just remember why you're there."
"I will," I said softly, trying to hide the lump in my throat.
---
That night, lying in my new bed, I couldn't sleep. The city lights blinked outside my balcony, and the hum of Bangkok traffic drifted in.
"From Chitungwiza to Chulalongkorn," I whispered. "This is real. This is my life now."
I pulled my blanket tighter, smiling to myself. Tomorrow orientation truly began. Tomorrow, I would walk the same halls as the students I once watched from thousands of miles away.
And maybe… just maybe… someday, I'd meet them not as a fangirl, but as someone living her own dream.