I’ve always felt conflicted about visiting Thailand. On one hand, my favorite animals in the whole world are elephants — one of the most recognizable symbols in Thailand. However, I am also allergic to peanuts — one of Thailand’s most recognizable foods. But when the opportunity arose for me to spend a month in this beautiful country, I could not pass it up!
Over the past few weeks, I have been studying global medical technology through a collaboration between The University of Texas at Austin and Chiang Mai University, attending classes alongside Thai students. Through this experience, I’ve learned not only about the healthcare system in Thailand, but also about myself and how I view medicine.
One of our most impactful experiences was traveling to the rural Omkoi district hospital to learn about the healthcare challenges faced by underserved communities. Seeing the realities of rural medicine firsthand, from transportation barriers and power outages to limited funding, gave me a deeper understanding of the disparities patients and providers in rural communities face every day.
One thing that stood out to me on this visit was Thailand’s emphasis on traditional Thai medicine, which I have rarely encountered in my background in Western medicine. Speaking with hospital pharmacists about herbal remedies and alternative treatments commonly used by Thai patients broadened my perspective on how healthcare varies across cultures. This experience challenged many of my assumptions and reminded me that medicine is deeply connected to culture and accessibility.
When we are not in class, my friends and I enjoy sipping fresh fruit smoothies, visiting temples, testing out coffee shops, and walking around the city. Chiang Mai has an excellent food scene, and we have tried traditional Thai dishes as well as food from across the world. My favorite dish here is mango sticky rice — it is so delicious!
I’m especially grateful that our class had the opportunity to visit an elephant sanctuary, where I saw my favorite animal up close for the first time. They were just as gentle and majestic as I imagined. Also, despite my aforementioned nerves about my peanut allergy, Thai people are incredibly accommodating to allergies, and no nuts were consumed on this trip.
While I was hesitant to visit at first, Thailand is extremely welcoming. Making eye contact with anyone in Chiang Mai results in a bright smile and a respectful bow. I will miss the warm, tropical weather, abundance of colorful flowers, and fast mopeds zooming through the streets.
I am grateful for this opportunity to immerse myself in Thai culture. I’ve learned to question my understanding of the Western world that I’m familiar with and incorporate a more culturally aware and open-minded perspective into the way I approach my future career in medicine.
This blog was contributed by Kaeli Kampschmidt, Global Ambassador for May 2026. Kaeli is a College of Natural Sciences student participating in the faculty-led program “Global Health Innovation” in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
