Joe, Seeking his Destiny in Thailand

Published September 30, 2024 − Brief student news staff bios are below the article

      Fifteen-year-old Joe was born in China, in a small city without much modern technology. Growing up, he made many friends, and he realized how important friendship is to him. However, in China, the pressure of competition sometimes made friendships complicated. Joe appreciates the environment in Thailand where things feel less stressful.

         
    As the older brother, Joe took care of his younger sibling and learned how to cook and manage other household tasks from a young age. Now living in Bangkok, he still sometimes cooks Chinese food at home, which he shares with his brother. Although they argue about small things like chores, life is generally more relaxed.

      Joe decided to come to Thailand for school, to learn new skills, explore different kinds of knowledge, and try creative activities like drawing.  When he first arrived at Rajapark International School, he was impressed by the large, beautiful campus with lots of greenery. It felt “really refreshing” to be there. He also had a funny moment when he thought he saw some Chinese students and started speaking to them in Chinese, only to find out they weren’t.

        Joe believes it’s very important to learn about different cultures and customs. For example, in China, people don’t change from shoes to slippers when entering a school, but at RPIS, it’s a must. He’s also noticed that people in Thailand have a special love for animals like dogs and cats, which is different from how pets are viewed in China.

      When Joe was younger, he started playing basketball, even though he wasn’t very fit at first. Over time, playing sports and going to the gym helped him become stronger and healthier, which was a big turning point in his life. He  enjoys playing basketball at school with friends or by himself.

      In China, Joe looked for answers about the meaning of life and discovered the Japanese author Osamu Dazai. This exploration led him to anime and cosplay where his heroes explore different aspects of life and relationships from many angles.