My name is Nancy. From my earliest memory, I recall being surrounded by women. Although they were not always permanently in my life, they made me feel wanted, loved, and special. I felt loved even though my biological father left my mother shortly after I was born.
As a female Thai, I have been constantly challenged to overcome traditional roles and pursue independent growth. Thailand is largely a class-based society, and I was raised in a single-mother household with my brother, where my mother earned about 500 USD per month.
Looking back, I would describe my mother’s approach to raising a Thai girl as traditional. I was always by her side, even into my teenage years. However, from a young age, I was enrolled in traditional Thai dancing classes. I loved dancing because it gave me a skill of my own and a strong sense of accomplishment.
As I developed, I became a leader within my dance group and began teaching others not only movement but also costume and presentation. This experience gave me confidence and showed me that I could do more than simply follow others.
This confidence continued to grow when I entered Wattana School, where I had my first opportunity to build friendships outside my family. I also took on leadership roles in dance and performed at events for government officials and other guests.
About Nancy
- Age: 28
- Ethnicity: Thai
- Country: Thailand
School & Program
- Mercer University
- Master’s, Business Analytics
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a marketing data analyst
- Visit the United States
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,700
- Amount Left To Fund: $0
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: Repaid in Full
Quotable
What Others Are Saying About Nancy
As I progressed, I discovered my academic strengths and pursued STEM courses. With support from a family friend, I also improved my English skills and began tutoring others. This same mentor introduced me to travel, and I visited Bali, Singapore, South Korea, and other parts of Thailand. These experiences helped me develop a deeper understanding of cultural diversity.
I later earned admission to Chiang Mai University in the Economics Faculty, but my mother lost her job, making it difficult to attend. With support from the same family friend, I was able to continue my studies.
At Chiang Mai University, I became active in student organizations, including “The Entertainers,” where we promoted education and community engagement. I also participated in outreach programs in hill villages and contributed to charity efforts. I later became President of the Economics Club and graduated with a degree in Economics in 2020.
To advance my career, I pursued a Master’s degree in Business Analytics at Mercer University in the United States. I began my studies online before moving to Atlanta, where I continued to develop my academic, communication, and leadership skills in an international environment.
After completing my degree, I hope to work with a global company where I can apply my skills and experiences. In the long term, I want to contribute to community development in rural Thailand through business innovation, education, and economic opportunity.
Written by Nancy with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Nancy
“I plan to pursue opportunities with a global company where I can utilize my cultural background and experiences. Ideally, I will join a firm that has opportunities in Thailand or for the opportunity to support a Thailand office.”