A PhD student from Thailand in the Department of Teaching and Learning of the College of Education and Human Ecology, Piangpitcha Inthiti shares her “Your America in 250 Words” essay.
“Why America? Why Columbus?” These were the questions people asked when they learned I was pursuing my PhD in the United States. My answer was simple: because I applied to one university—The Ohio State University. Yet deep down, there was another reason. Some places cannot be understood through stories, images, or assumptions alone. I needed to see America for myself.
When I arrived in Columbus in 2023, far from my home in Thailand, I carried what many international students carry: excitement, uncertainty, hope, fear, and countless questions. Would I find my place in a country often described as a melting pot, where cultures, languages, food, weather, and ways of life can feel both fascinating and unfamiliar?
Over time, those uncertainties transformed into curiosity, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of the world around me. Living in America has not made me less Thai; instead, it has strengthened my appreciation for my own identity while teaching me to learn from the many identities and perspectives around me.
This photo, taken on the campus of The Ohio State University, captures more than a milestone. It reminds me that America was not only experienced in classrooms, but also through road trips, unfamiliar places, and conversations with people who were once strangers. Even asking a passerby to take this picture became part of that experience. These small moments taught me that understanding a place comes from living it. Together, they have shaped who I am today, a resilient scholar and a more empathetic person.
The Office of International Affairs invites Ohio State’s international students to participate in the “Your America in 250 Words” essay and photo contest, a unique opportunity to share personal perspectives and experiences while studying and traveling in the United States.