My Experience at IBC (Venerable Silar)

October 23,2017
Venerable Silar DOUNGBOUTDY.BA 1

I have lived in IBC for more than three months. When I was here at the first day, I felt that this is a good place for studying Dhamma and practicing meditation because this area is quite far away from Hat Yai downtown and the weather here is very nice, especially in the morning. So that I was really interested and excited. The first night, I had to sleep alone without any friends because they had gone back to their country. At the time, I felt very sad and it made me miss my country. Furthermore, I have never left away from my country, but now I am here which is really far from there. Everything has changed from my life. And then, English is the biggest problem for me because there are a lot of words that I could not understand while somebody speaks with me. Fortunately, I had a few friends who are from my country and helped me to explain whatever I need. And so, it made me be more confident and feel better. After that, I tried to improve myself by having new friendships with students who are from the others countries.

Another issue was food. It wasn’t easy for me because Thai rice was different from my country because over there we have eaten sticky rice for a long time as well as some kinds of food that I have never tasted before but I tried to eat in order to take care of my health. Although it was hard at the beginning, but now I’m more routine with IBC’s lifestyle.

Furthermore, I have met more friends since the new student orientation program (NSOP) was held, and we have hung out together many times. These are one of the best memories in my life. Together with my BA first year’s friends, I also joined in IBC’s 10th convocation which I were happy for their successful and had more efforts to complete my studying. Although it was just a short time, but I had earned a lot of experiences, particularly, opened myself more to understand one another.