Desmond Barnes

My name is Desmond Jerrod Barnes. I am a senior marketing major at Winston-Salem State University. I am currently studying abroad in Bangkok, Thailand at Thammasat University (TU) in the school of Journalism and Mass Communication. TU is a very prestigious school in Thailand, and I am honored to be a foreign exchange student here. I will graduate May 12, 2012.

I chose to study abroad in Bangkok, Thailand for a number of reasons but most importantly to challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone. Thailand is not shaped by western culture, so I knew that my values and beliefs would be challenged daily. I have experienced a great deal of success throughout my collegiate career at WSSU. Most of which came from learning and growing in an unfamiliar environment.

Studying abroad has given me the opportunity to compete with students from all over the world. There are about 180 students representing more than 20 countries. I realized early in my college career that my competition is not limited to the United States; it expands all over the globe. This experience will give me the opportunity to see how I fair against competition in a global economy.

Desmond proudly displays name of his alma mater by a waterfall in Thailand.

By coming here I am able to expand my network to places I never imagined. In addition to this I am taking with me the brand of Winston-Salem State University. I am the only student here from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Many of the students here don’t know what an HBCU is. So this usually leads to healthy dialogue about WSSU and the purpose of HBCU’s in America.

During my studies here I have decided to give back to a community that has already given so much to me by teaching English for the remainder of my time here in Thailand.

By coming here I hoped to travel, compete with other students, expand my mind, and just become a better person than I was when I left. The world just seems to be a totally different place than how I once viewed it, for that I am truly grateful.

I have no clue what my greatest discovery will be, but I am sure that it will be worthwhile.

I just want to say thank you for all of the support that I have received from my family, friends, and Winston-Salem State University. This journey truly consisted of a team effort; it is an honor to represent you.

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