Home for the past 10 months: Chicago, IL
Ready to fly again: First to Mumbai and in a month onwards to start a new chapter in Thailand.
In a few days, I will leave Chicago and a few weeks later, settle into Bangkok.
Let's cut right to it: Why am I leaving?
I am leaving due to not being selected in the H-1B visa lottery. The reason for Bangkok is my employer not being able to transfer me to any of their other offices, including the 3 in India. Bangkok had never been a city I considered living in. I have spent less than 18 hours in Thailand and that was in Phuket.
The first few times I started to write this, all that came out was frustration. I did not want to have to start over again. Going through the process of moving cities is one thing, but moving to somewhere you have never been and do not know anyone or speak the local language makes things uncomfortable.
However, as time has passed, I have leaned on friends and family to break down the move. Slowly but surely, I have come around to the idea of living in Bangkok. Aside from a pure career decision: Keeping the door open to a potential US return is the better decision in the long run.
Bangkok also offers me an opportunity I never thought existed before. Life in a completely new culture I know nothing about. I am sure I will learn a lot about myself and take part in things I didn’t even know existed! One of the biggest advantages of living in Bangkok is the location and well-established international airport. Bangkok is a launching pad to every corner of Southeast. Connectivity and frequency of flights are aplenty with some of the most beautiful places on the planet, all within a (at most) 4-to-5-hour flight.
AND home is now only a 4.5-hour flight away as opposed to a 16+ hour one.
So, with all that context out of the way – here is where I am in the stage of moving to Bangkok and some things, I am keeping top of mind.
As of right now, I am nearly all packed up and ready to leave Chicago. There are a few last-minute things to be done. I have been speaking with individuals in the Bangkok office to learn a bit more about the work culture, good areas to live in, things to keep in mind, and just starting to build deeper relationships with those in the city.
Naturally, when it comes to moving to a new country, there are some obvious tasks:
1. Finding an apartment. Factors important to me are: quick commute, easy access to public transport, amenities, a high floor, and natural lighting
2. Setting up a bank account. Seems to be a straightforward process using either of the 2 major banks
3. Enrolling in a mobile plan
4. Sorting out work permits once I get there
5. Joining expat-friendly groups or activities
6. Learning a bit of Thai. I have looked into some online courses and YouTube videos that teach conversational Thai
That is all the “boring” stuff however, a lot of my building excitement is down to the places I will be able to travel to and experience as a resident rather than a total tourist. The first few days will be tourist-like but, I expect to grow into it and make traversing the region extremely familiar and natural.
Since I am moving to Bangkok for work, I will be constrained by time off limits and weekend trips would primarily be the norm. After a few weeks of research, here are the places I plan on seeing in the next 13 months. Many more places could be added to this list, but these are the essentials!
Thailand:
· Chiang Mai – Located in the North of the country. Chiang Mai boasts some of the most personal and intimate encounters with elephants, vibrant night markets, and ancient temples that go back to the 13th century.
· Koh Phanang & Koh Samui – Each month Koh Phanang comes to life with the most energetic beach parties under the full moonlight. Beyond the nightlife, both islands have some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling spots, that I am excited to explore!
· Phuket & Phi Phi – Very similar to the islands in the East. These Western islands have maintained their aura with great mainland connectivity and traveler experiences. Water activities once again dominate the theme.
And now for what I am by far most excited about…
Southeast Asia:
· Laos & Cambodia – These can be quick weekend trips, pretty much anytime I want, due to the short flights. From what I have seen and read Laos seems like one of the more unknown and underrated places. I want to make it out to Prabhu Luang and Vang Vieng in Laos, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
· Taiwan – 4-hour flight to Taipei. Would want to spend at least 3 full days there. Hit the North of the island for a day while staying in Taipei and eating at markets each night
· South Korea – A slightly ambitious trip given the distance, visa, and cost, though it would be amazing if I could make it work. Aiming for at least Seoul and using a couple of days of PTO around office closures
· Hong Kong – The historic story and modern-day global status are what intrigue me most of all. Combining that with the amazing food and lack of necessity for a visa makes a journey to Hong Kong extremely enticing
So with some apprehensions but, also excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead I am heading across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The next year shall have its ups and downs, but if I keep my head up and enjoy the experience for what it is, I will come out of it with some amazing stories and a special connection to a different part of the world.
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