I’ve always had the privilege of living in a country where Christianity isn’t just common—it’s part of the culture. My hometown and Christian college in America are filled with churches that line the streets, and even our holidays naturally reflect my faith.
So when I decided to study abroad in Thailand, I knew the religious atmosphere would be an adjustment. Golden temples rise on every corner, shrines glow with incense, and quiet acts of devotion shape the rhythm of daily life.
At first, I worried I might feel isolated. I feared that being away from the physical reminders of my faith—my church, my Christian classes—might distance my heart from it too. But something unexpected happened: being surrounded by a different religious culture has actually deepened my connection to Jesus.
Within my WorldStrides cohort and at MUIC, I’ve met people from every kind of background—Mormon, Buddhist, atheist, Catholic, and everything in between. Conversations about faith have helped me understand not only what others believe, but also why I believe what I do. Thai students ask thoughtful questions about Christianity that make me reflect in new ways.
I’ve also started attending a small Bible study on campus. It’s just a handful of people, all from very different backgrounds, but it’s become something special. Even though we differ in culture, upbringing, and personality, there’s a sense of unity when we open Scripture together. It’s simple and real—and it reminds me how powerful the gospel is in bringing people together no matter where you are in the world.
While this Bible study grounds me in my faith, daily life in Thailand constantly exposes me to another type of faith: Buddhism. I walk past shrines, see Buddhist symbols at the markets, and visit temples to admire their beauty. Through those experiences, I’ve started noticing similarities between Buddhism and Christianity. Monks, for example, serve a role that reminds me of nuns—both devote their lives to serving others and growing in spiritual understanding. I’ve also noticed shared themes between the two faiths: peace, compassion, and care for the vulnerable. Even just walking around, I see these values reflected in the shrines, the monks, and the temples that color daily life here.
When I visited the Blue Temple in Chiang Rai, its beauty was obvious everywhere, but one smaller structure really stood out to me (see photos below). Skulls and faces cover its base, and arms reach up as if from the ground. One of my friends remarked, “It looks like Hell.” The imagery does resemble that, but I later learned it represents souls trapped in the cycle of reincarnation and worldly desire. That instantly reminded me of Jesus’ teaching in John 17 to “be in the world but not of it,” and of the Christian warnings against desires of the flesh and the world. Seeing those connections keeps me curious about my faith—and that curiosity keeps me more connected to God.
Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), Chiang Rai, Thailand
But my relationship with God here isn’t just shaped by moments like that. It’s also in the everyday. Life abroad is joyful, but it’s challenging too. Some days I feel adventurous and grateful; other days I feel small and far from home. Yet through it all, God is constant. He’s here with me in Thailand just as much as He is at home, reminding me that faith isn’t confined to a church building or a familiar culture—it’s something He builds within me, wherever I go.