194 Nassau Street Suite 212 PACIFIC Princeton, NJ 08542 Phone: 609.258.3657 Email: [email protected] www.princeton.edu/~pia Newsletter of PrincetonBRIDGES in Asia Spring 2016 THE THAILAND ISSUE: Celebrating 40 years of Princeton in Asia Fellows in the Kingdom of Thailand VOICES FROM THE FIELD: Notes from our Fellows Personal growth has been the most special element of my time in Asia thus far. Deal- ing with the various challenges presented by opaque bureaucracy, occasional incom- petence (both my own and others’), endless layers of sweat, a bout of head lice, inde- scribable traffic, and the isolation inherent to living abroad has made me a more flex- ible and mature person. What makes this growth unique is that it has taken place in a cloud of wonder and kindness and constant kickstarts of the soul. I’m glad that the les- sons I’m learning right now are based not on an affirmation of the ideas I’ve held my entire life but rather a constant desta- bilization of these ideas: that my move- ment forward is contingent upon expand- ing my capacity for negative capability. Cheers to 40 years of PiA fellows in Thailand! Reflecting on her first year in Nan, 2nd year PiA Devin Choudhury fellow Brenna Cameron (Bandon Srisermkasikorn School ‘14-’16) wrote, “Nan makes me come Royal University of Phnom Penh alive and I can’t wait to return to the students who have become my children, coworkers who have Phnom Penh, Cambodia beome like family, and a country that now strangely feels like home.” all of us so different and all of us here be- The principal of my school gave a won- What makes this cause of different reasons, with different derful speech at our school’s graduation expectations, and having different daily re- ceremony. In her speech, she talked about growth unique is that alities. Watching a young monk understand how people are like shapes – each one is it has taken place in a my joke and break into laughter. Seeing the different, and there are good and bad things geckos, whom I consider my adorable pets, about each one. In other words, all the cloud of wonder and scurry across the wall. The vegetable lady shapes, and by extension, all people, have giving me something extra almost every different strengths. She continued to talk kindness and constant time, the gym guy asking where I was on about how when the kids move on to first kickstarts of the soul. Tuesday (also that the name of the gym is grade and enter elementary school, they ‘Happiness Gym’). The way the Mekong might find that they or their friends have What has been special about my experience River looks at dusk. When my neighbor (a some trouble with various things. Our prin- so far? The small moments. Driving my highschool girl) understands most of my cipal then asked all the kids, “If your friend motorbike and the breeze feeling amazing Lao and I understand most of her English. is struggling, what should you do?” With- on a hot day. Little girls from down the road Natalie Orentlicher out missing a beat, despite the fact they’d yelling “Sabaidee, I love you!” as I walk WLE Greater Mekong never heard this speech before, all the past. Conversations with my roommates, Vientiane, Laos kids answered, “You should help them!” (continued) 1 VOICES FROM THE FIELD (continued) The attitude demonstrated right here is My relationships with my coworkers in a huge, huge pro...instilling this kind of the office are amazing. They are one of mindset in kids is a wonderful thing. I see the major reasons my time here so far this behavior demonstrated all the time at has been so fulfilling. I have made close school. When kids fall down their friends connections personally and profession- will rush over to help them, when they ally with most of my colleagues that I don’t know the answer to something their work closely with on a daily basis. They friends will lean in and whisper the an- are all wonderful, warm people who wel- swer, when they can’t do something alone comed me with open arms and hearts to their friends will offer to assist. Teach- their country and into their lives. I will ing kids to help others is a great thing. truly cherish these, what I believe are Kelsey Henderson lifelong friendships I have made here Eko-In Temple during my time here so far. We all have Tokyo, Japan lunch together, hang out sometimes during our free time, and com- municate very freely with one another. I have so much love and respect for the people I have gotten to know that when the time comes, it’s going to be real- KIMEP fellows Liz, NIck Conlon, and Robin ly hard to say goodbye to them. pose after a race in Kazkhstan. “Straight Sonya Bhan Digital Divide Data outta PiA!” Vientiane, Laos in touch with several of last semester’s stu- dents even though they’re not in my class anymore. I think that teaching is a great Even though I’m job when you’re living abroad because it teaching [my immediately gives you a community of lo- cals that you’re a part of. Even if I didn’t Sonya enjoys a little treat with her local students[, they have any local friends, I would still have friends and colleagues in Laos students that I see every day who help are really helping me learn about local culture and customs. There are a million things that have made this me learn in so many Even though I’m teaching them, they are experience special! I think that learning to really helping me learn in so many ways. speak some Russian has been pretty special. ways. And they’re just And they’re just a lot of fun, and a lot of Every time I use a new phrase or construc- them are really inspiring. Seeing them tion, I feel like my horizons have opened up a lot of fun, and a lot develop goals and aspirations, and help- just a little bit. Getting to know the people of them are really in- ing them achieve them, is really powerful. here has also been really great. I was invited Robin Palmer to a wedding in Taraz, and dancing with all spiring. Seeing them KIMEP University of these completely random middle-aged/old develop goals and as- Almaty, Kazakhstan Kazakh people wearing high-heels and with full sets of gold teeth was a weird sort of joy pirations, and helping Outside of Viet Nam News, I freelance for me. What I really love about Kazakhs, write/edit for a couple non-profits, I had or at least from my experience, is that the them achieve them, is one article published on wildlife traf- boundaries between what is socially accept- really powerful. ficking in The Diplomat, and I’ve started able between old and young people are blur- writing for The Word magazine. So free- ring in comparison to America. Old people My students are my raison d’être. I ob- lancing has definitely been rewarding, here really boogie, and it’s my favorite thing sess about them constantly. Any time especially because I enjoy writing more in the world to participate in. It’s inspiring someone shows me a funny video, rec- than copy editing. Oh, and I blog. Super to me! Also, I’ve gotten to know some tru- ommends a book, or sends me an in- cliché, but it’s the one creative outlet I re- ly amazing students. Some of my students teresting article, my first reaction is ally enjoy doing. I also take Vietnamese have had to deal with incredible hardship to ‘how can I incorporate this into a lesson lessons, which I love. While I enjoy all attend KIMEP, and have shared their stories plan?’ (Example topics that I have used these things, the most meaningful thing with me. I am endlessly grateful to get to in class as a result of such conversa- I’ve done is not necessarily an activity, but know some of these cool teens- the kind of tions: an octopus documentary; a “what more of a decision to say “yes” to almost teenagers I wish I had been a bit more like! ugly vegetable are you?” quiz; a Hog- every invitation I receive from Vietnam- Liz Rattan warts sorting hat quiz; and a video about ese friends. This has taken me to a friend’s KIMEP University bird-of-paradise mating rituals.) I really hometown in the countryside during an Almaty, Kazakhstan have loved getting to know my student autumn festival, a ceramics town, a silk and I am especially happy to have kept town, a medium possession ceremony, a 2 VOICES FROM THE FIELD (continued) bear sanctuary, miscellaneous temples, I am here, and not just here and a ridiculous number of delicious but also living here, that I street food vendors I probably nev- have the opportunity to call er would have visited otherwise. So on this place a home rather my days off, I just hit up my Vietnamese than a stop on a trip. Lately, friends and set out to try something new. there have been some expe- Emily Petsko riences that made me real- Viet Nam News ize I have truly committed Hanoi, Viet Nam to living here: organizing a holiday trivia party for the Asian American Journalists ...the most meaningful Association, submitting one of my documentaries thing I’ve done is not to a film festival here, and creating my first points necessarily an activity, card at a local grocery Pedro and co-fellow Meg strike a pose at the Yakage store.