My name is Michael Conroy and I would like to take a moment to tell you about this amazing experience for a worthy cause. I am a new student at Webster University Thailand – Bangkok center, pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Relations. Although I am new to Webster, I am not new to Thailand. Before my arrival in Bangkok, I was persuaded by John Graham, a Webster Thailand Alumni from the spring 2008 class, to participate in the Tour de Thailand. This 2,300km bicycle ride from Cháng Mai to Phuket benefits Operation Smile and the Thai Foundation for the Blind in Bangkok. The Tour de Thailand is the signature charity tour of the Tour de Asia Bicycle Touring Company, owned and operated by Christopher Byrd, who just happens to work out of Hua Hin, near Webster’s Cha-am campus.
The reason I felt compelled to tell this story is this, bicycle tour is an amazing way to see Thailand and to get to know the people and the culture. As a grad student in the MAIR program I felt this was an invaluable tool to gain a new perspective on the country where I was moving to live and study. I can think of no better way to experience a country and to get to know its people that to see it on a bicycle. For students new to Thailand and to Webster, this trip is the best way to get acclimated to your new home. Aside from losing 12 pounds in a month, I got accustomed to Thai food, gained a better understanding of the country as a whole, met great people, raised money for a worthy cause and have an experience to carry with me for the rest of my life. In the end, we raised 750,000 Baht (roughly $20,000 U.S.) for Thai charities and will be able to help out around 80 children to have corrective surgeries through Operation Smile.
