Jammy in New York

Way back in 2005, a tiny Thai girl was planning on coming to New York to study. She had only been there once to visit her long distance boyfriend, Adam, for a month. It was really cold, gray and intimidating then. Nevertheless, she spent time each day researching her options for advancing her education in the greatest city in the world while working in her home city of Bangkok.

Jammy and Adam talked online each day as 2005 drew to an end. She had decided to enroll in an English language program at an esteemed Manhattan College that was part of CUNY (The City University of New York). He was looking forward to her arrival so that they could spend more time together and get to know each other more. Their long distance relationship could only go so far with each of them living on opposite sides of the world!

Jammy would start school in the middle of winter and would have to commute into Manhattan by train, followed by subway and a good walk. She did not know the city, but Adam was confident that she would do ok. After all, New Yorkers are knowledgeable and helpful as long as you ask for assistance politely.

Jammy arrived as the year closed and had a short time to get settled before school started. It all seemed like a dream to her. She was going to school in New York. How did this all happen? She hoped that it would all work out ok.

Jammy was quite stressed when she began school. She had no real support base here, besides Adam, who was also very busy with work during the day when Jammy had to commute. The city was so big, so confusing and so cold! She got lost often and had to manage the struggles of speaking English all the time.

School was lots of work, but also fun, and she immediately became acquainted with some great people who remain close friends today. These people all shared the same dream of enriching themselves with a great education in New York City. They came from Turkey, Columbia, Brazil, Korea, Japan and so many other countries. No one spoke English natively, but now they all had to rely on this foreign language to communicate with their teachers, each other and the massive city which surrounded them. It did not take them long to realize that New York was a great place, but it was going to be sink or swim. You needed to work hard to stay…

Jammy was stressed and this stress also reflected on her relationship with Adam. There were some tough times in those early months, but Jammy was strong and stayed resolute that she would pursue her goals even though things were difficult. She began to acclimate and saw life from a new perspective. Adam and Jammy worked through their difficulties and found new strength as a couple in the struggles that they faced. Adam told her how proud he was of her to work through so many hurdles that might have sent a weaker person home with their tail between their legs.

Jammy loved Long Island, NY and saw how great life could be close to the beach. Everything was convenient and life was good. She advanced through her language program and graduated. She decided to enroll in a private university in Brooklyn to study for her Masters Degree in Organizational Management. She now faced an even longer commute and one that was far less convenient. She also had to compete with native English speakers on their own turf. She was nervous, but the college seemed eager to have her and to help her to achieve her dreams.

Over the course of her study, Jammy grew tremendously in her skills, courage and worldview. She matured and enjoyed life as an independent adult which had eluded her under the protective care of her family in Thailand. She became more responsible and ambitious. She did really well in school and graduated with an amazing GPA. Adam was overcome with joy for her. She had accomplished so much in New York. Together, they decided that she should continue in school and earn another Masters Degree, since the credits were closely related. She applied and was accepted for the Executive MBA program, where she earned her second graduate degree with an even better GPA!

Jammy and Adam saw that the time had come to bond legally and he proposed marriage to her in 2009. They were wed a few months later, surrounded by friends, loved ones and even Jammy’s extended family members, who came all the way from Thailand to attend! It was the most beautiful day and a real blessing for the couple.

Unfortunately, as a management specialist, Jammy graduated right as the recession hit. Managers were being fired in record numbers as she sought out the perfect job. Jammy went on to use her new skills working in sales and marketing on Long Island for several years, where she also met some fantastic people. She continued to grow in her capabilities until the economy made the couple really think hard about staying in New York. They tried to move to Texas, which did not work out, and even considered relocating to Florida. However, the decision was made to return to Thailand, this time as a married couple. Jammy would be back on her home turf and Adam would now face the same expat struggles she had faced in New York.

What would become of the couple in their new life in Thailand? How would Adam acclimate to living in a foreign country with no support except for his wife? He loved her more than life itself, so he would do anything to be with her. Thailand would be the next step forward and would lead to many more adventures than the couple ever imagined when they first arrived in Bangkok as newbies in the fall of 2014.  It is a continuing story that brings us to our present moment right now… 🙂

The goal of sharing this part of our lives is to inspire you to pursue your own dreams. You can do anything you put your mind to. You just need to be brave and work towards your objective day by day. Eventually, with effort and diligence, your work will be rewarded. What is it that you want to do? Go for it with passion and you will succeed!