I’m very unhappy with the University i got in. I never wanted to go there, the only reason i applyed is because it was my mom’s dream uni. I wanted to drop out so bad because the uni turned out to be far diffrent than what I expected it to be. I don’t understand alot of things, specially cultural stuffs. Since I was practical raised in an International school my entire life, it is quite hard for me to adapt myself to fit into Thai’s society. Due to my uniqueness I dont really have a lot friends, so often time i was left alone. Which is pretty odd because all my life I’ve never had trouble making friends, not once. Also i feels as if my personal life is being invade in many ways, for examples I can’t wear make up to school or even dye my hairs! things got worst when it come to the Sophomores, we freshman are constantly being bullies by the second year kids. The Uni allowed them to keep us from 4:30pm to 9:30 on a daily basic. Am not okay with that! All i want right now is to get out of that uni but am afriad to let go, partly because this is the best arts + designs institute in Thailand and the entrance exam was crazy hard and partly because my parent told me they’re going to stop financially support me if i drop out (they’re not letting me transfer). I really dont know what to do…I’m super emotional devastate right now, i cant think straight, i have no motivation left. Help…what should i do?
It’s hard for to give any advice because I am not familiar with the education system in Thailand or with possible other options that might exist for you. Are you a citizen of Thailand or of another country? Does the government offer any type of financial assistance or do you have to rely completely on your parents? So sorry that you are not happy. If school just started, try to give it a chance. If there are activities you can join, make a point of getting yourself out there to try to meet people. Go to any extra sessions that instructors offer and try to talk to people sitting near you, even if it is just a little. The bullying sounds disturbing, but again, I am not familiar with the cultural norms of Thailand. If you dislike school so much, you may be conveying that attitude to other students without even realizing it. Try to stick it out for a while and try to keep an open mind. Look like you are enjoying it even if you are not. If the program is recognized so highly it may be worth it to stick with it. Good luck!
I’m sorry that your parents are being non supportive and that you are miserable.
What will happen if you do “drop out”? Are there other options for you?
What you are experiencing is known as “culture shock” and sometimes referred to as “rejection” in the sense of you rejecting the strange culture. Culture shock has been widely studied, and there are phases people go through as they adjust in a new place. The adjustment period does not happen overnight, and people typically do go through some struggles along the way, but adjustment eventually will happen if you stick it out, and then you will be able to function in this culture as well as those you are more familiar with. Read up on culture shock and adjustment by doing searches online. The links below can get you started:
http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/adjusting-new-culture
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/cultural_adjustment
If you get familiar with the cyles and symptoms of culture shock and adjustment, you can track where you are in the process and realize that what you are going through is not specific to you, but is common, and you will be able to adjust eventually.
I hosted many exchange students, and one arrived with a similar mindset as yours. She did not want to go to another country at all to study, and her parents forced her to sign up for the exchange program. She was scared and miserable before she ever got off the plane, and the first few weeks were very difficult for her as she adapted and changed her attitude. However, after about four months, she was so happy living in her new country and so well adjusted that she didn’t want to return home. It was a dramatic change, as then she needed convincing to leave when it was time.
The process of cultural adjustment often takes longer than this, but I share this example because you also did not want to go to study at the place your mom insisted on, and so you have some resistance to even wanting to adapt. Trust me, there are happier days ahead right where you are in Thailand.