The Weather

Many students considering study overseas mention the weather. Will it be cold? What does cold mean? To someone in mid Canada, minus 20 degrees Celsius is normal in the winter. Very easy to make ice cubes outside at that temperature. Of course, most places are never that cold!

Certainly the weather will be cooler almost any place that you study overseas. That will require some changes in lifestyle:

- Not quite so many showers - as your skin will dry out too much.

- You will put on weight, as colder weather encourages you to eat more to keep warm - so pack looser clothing, not tight things.

- Drink more hot beverages, which keep you warm and make you feel happier.

- Many layers of clothing are better than just a T-shirt and coat.

- A hat is good, as a surprising amount of heat escapes from the head.

So, now you know.

I would not of course advise on how to stay cool, as most Thais know far more than me about that, especially during the hottest part of the year.

It is a remarkable experience to spend time living in a different climate; it changes one's whole outlook on life. It certainly makes one understand more easily why far northern (and southern) countries have very active and assertive peoples - it's cold! You need to be quite tough to survive in a colder climate.

Along with more temperate climates come changes in daylight. In the winter in the UK the sun rises around 9.00am and it is already getting dark at 4.30pm. Think of the opposite luxury that brings when in the summer you can still play tennis at 9.30pm!

Variation in life is a good thing and the so are the challenges that change brings. We all need stimulation, and study overseas will certainly stimulate and challenge you - and so will the weather. I have been told by Thai students that it is fun to go to a colder place as you can "go for a walk", which is far less fun in Bangkok.

Meantime, here in Bangkok I have extra blankets on the bed as it really is "cold"!

John Kelly

Director, Mentor International

www.mentor.ac