Kanittha Thaveesittikullarp

Tell us About Yourself​

I am Taiwanese/Chinese by ethnicity, but I grew up in Thailand, learning and speaking a different language. Those who surrounded me spoke Thai and English for the majority of my life, and although I learned Chinese I lost touch with most of my Chinese heritage throughout the years, with the exception of the occasional celebration of a few Chinese festivals. Although, coming back to my Chinese roots has always been one of my strong desires. In spite of that, I found a new community within the Thai and Thai-International friends I made during my years in an international school. With the international schools within Thailand being a close-knit community, I have always felt a sense of belonging within new communities no matter their race and personality, being exposed to such a wide variety of nationalities and diverse cultures.

Although at the moment I had not understood the value of being in such a diverse community, coming into CMU I found that I was able to feel at home. Despite moving halfway across the world to a new community I had never experienced, CMU felt oddly similar to my school back home, and the community reminded me of my closest friends. However, I do have to admit that there are many times when I catch the small differences that make me miss home. The food, the skyscrapers, and my family are small parts of what reminds me that I am no longer in the small city I used to live in and that self-growth and exploration are now opportunities that I can take up after bursting my "Bangkok Bubble".

Coming into CMU I want to be able to discover new aspects of myself, build on my passions, make new friends and connections, try new things, and build a new community separate from my old one. A community that expedites growth and cultivates a strong bond. Thus, even though I tend to be a forgetful person, I want to create unforgettable memories and relationships surrounded by the most unique people.