The next morning, the Bangkok sun streamed into my dorm room far earlier than I was ready for. Amara was already awake, sitting cross-legged on her bed with a cup of instant coffee.
"Rise and shine, Shelly," she said with a grin. "Big day."
I groaned into my pillow. "I'm not ready for 'big day.'"
But I was. My heart was pounding with nerves and excitement. Today we weren't just travelers; we were Chulalongkorn students.
---
A campus that looked like a dream
Walking out of the dorms, I nearly stopped breathing. The campus looked like something from a glossy brochure — wide green lawns, elegant cream-and-pink buildings, tree-lined pathways filled with laughing students in crisp white shirts and black skirts or trousers.
Orientation banners fluttered everywhere: Welcome New International Students 20XX!
Amara and I joined the crowd streaming toward the main hall. Everyone was taking photos; I stopped to snap a few for my vlog.
"Guys," I whispered to the camera, "this is surreal. It's exactly like the videos I used to watch — but I'm really here."
---
Meeting the faculty
Inside the auditorium, rows of new students filled the seats. A tall woman in a black suit introduced herself as Professor Kamolrat, the International Program dean.
"Welcome to Chulalongkorn," she said with a warm smile. "You are now part of a global family. Work hard. Dream boldly. And remember, you represent your countries here."
Something about her words hit me deep — I was carrying my family's hopes, my country's pride, my own dreams.
We listened to presentations about courses, schedules, and research opportunities. My head spun with acronyms and programs.
Amara nudged me. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I whispered back, though I wasn't sure. The academics sounded intense — exactly what I'd dreamed of, but also terrifying.
---
Lunch under the pink umbrellas
We spilled out into the courtyard for lunch under rows of pink umbrellas. Food stalls surrounded us: curries, rice bowls, bubble tea.
"This place smells like heaven," Maria (from Spain) said, balancing a tray of chicken rice.
Ethan laughed. "Heaven is spicy."
We sat together, laughing, comparing our majors and why we'd come to Thailand.
"I came because I wanted a new challenge," Amara said.
"I wanted to see Asia," Ethan added.
"I came for the food," Maria said dramatically.
They all turned to me. "And you, Shelly?"
I hesitated, cheeks heating. "I… I love Thailand. Its entertainment industry, its culture, its universities. I wanted to grow where creativity and academics collide."
Maria grinned. "Translation: Ohm Pawat brought me here."
I buried my face in my hands. "You're never meeting my siblings. They'd recruit you."
---
A glimpse of the world she once watched
After lunch, we were given a campus tour. Our group wandered toward the Faculty of Communication Arts — famous for producing media stars.
As we passed a modern glass building, the air suddenly buzzed. A small crowd of Thai students clustered near the entrance, phones raised.
I slowed. A man stepped out — tall, handsome, dressed casually but unmistakably polished. The crowd gasped, whispered his name in Thai.
I froze. Was that… Nanon Korapat? My heart jumped to my throat.
Amara looked at me, confused. "Friend of yours?"
I shook my head wildly, whispering, "He's… he's one of the actors. Big star. I can't—"
Nanon waved politely to the crowd and disappeared into a waiting car. The students squealed softly but respectfully.
I stood there, stunned, until Amara tugged my arm. "Come on, celebrity girl. You'll be late."
My phone buzzed — a video call from home. When I answered, Caro's face filled the screen.
"Did you just send a clip of Nanon?" she shrieked.
"I didn't even send it!" I laughed breathlessly. "He just walked by!"
"Oh, she's going to faint if she meets Ohm," Clifton's voice chimed in the background.
I hung up before they could tease me more, cheeks aching from smiling.
---
Evening reflections
Back at the dorm, I flopped onto my bed, exhausted but buzzing.
"Long day?" Amara asked.
"The longest. But amazing." I rolled over to face her. "I think I can do this. It's scary, but it feels right."
"Good," she said softly. "We'll survive together."
Before bed, I recorded one last vlog clip for my growing subscribers:
"Day one of orientation — done. The campus is stunning, the people are so kind, and I may or may not have seen a very famous actor. Still processing. But mostly, I'm grateful. I'm living a dream that once felt impossible."
I turned off the camera, heart full. Tomorrow classes would begin. Tomorrow, the real work would start.
But tonight, I let myself dream — of success, of family pride, of maybe someday being part of the world I'd admired from afar.