In January 2022, I launched into a six-month internship with Trinket Co, a jewelry firm primarily based in Bangkok.

It’s one in every of my largest takeaways from my college journey on the Singapore College of Social Sciences (SUSS).

I utilized for the internship as I believed publicity to a quickly rising Asean area would add worth to my studying.

I selected Thailand as I really like its spicy and flavourful delicacies, pleasant tradition, and hospitable individuals.

My Thai pals — whom I made throughout a earlier change in 2018 after I was a pupil at Singapore Polytechnic — had been extremely useful in serving to me safe an residence and smoothing out particulars earlier than I flew over.

As I went to Thailand with no prior information of the jewelry business, I regularly discovered the intricacies of jewelry making, varieties of treasured stones, and the components that decide a diamond’s worth.

Initially, it was difficult as there have been so many new phrases and processes to study, however I’m grateful for the steerage of my boss, and now good friend, Sahil.

The language barrier was a problem I learnt to beat as nicely. I picked up primary phrases that had been sufficient to assist me get by, and Google Translate was my greatest good friend!

I’m additionally grateful that I had pals to name in an emergency.

Dwelling by myself, I learnt to be extra impartial. In Singapore, we name a handyman to repair any points at dwelling. Nevertheless, in Thailand, the handyman will say that he’ll come as we speak, however in reality comes per week later!

So, I searched on-line for options and managed to repair the problems in my residence by myself.

I additionally acquired to expertise the variations between Thailand’s and Singapore’s work tradition. Thais observe conventional hierarchies, and manners are crucial.

In a casual setting, it’s well mannered so as to add a “Phi” in entrance of the title when greeting somebody older than you, and in a proper setting the honorific “Khun” is used.

I additionally realised that in Thailand, individuals tackle you by a nickname as an alternative of your given title in order that evil spirits won’t know your title. My good friend gave me the nickname “Wan”, which means candy!

Through the internship, I found a ardour for jewelry.

I had the chance to make a couple of items for myself, and probably the most memorable one was a pair of jade earrings. The jade was gifted to my grandmother from my grandfather years in the past, and he or she handed it all the way down to me.

As soon as I used to be acquainted with the complete jewellery-making course of, I designed it right into a pair of earrings and oversaw every step of the method from begin to end. I maintain it near my coronary heart because it represents my household — and my new talent.

With my newfound ardour for jewelry, I’ve began to brainstorm concepts for a small facet enterprise.

Thailand welcomed me with open arms, and it’ll all the time be probably the greatest adventures of my life. It was wonderful to reconnect with my pals there and I had the possibility to discover totally different components of Bangkok throughout my free time.

They took me on highway journeys to locations equivalent to Khao Yai and Khao Kho (khao means mountain) within the north-central provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and Phetchabun provinces, and I even had the chance to spend the Songkran pageant with my good friend’s household!

If you happen to actually need to expertise Bangkok, my recommendation is to take an open-air bus that prices about 10 baht (S$0.40) no matter distance. You will get to see the totally different nooks and crannies of town and may get off at whichever cease pursuits you!

Bangkok is such a vigorous metropolis that I used to be glad to name dwelling for six months. I will probably be again quickly!

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Bonnie Yip, 23, is a final-year Human Useful resource Administration pupil on the Singapore College of Social Sciences who loves travelling and Muay Thai.