The following was written by Kornkamol Sukaree.

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Hello Illini Nation,

First, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year!  I hope you are off to a great start and you all had a chance to spend the holidays with your loved ones.

Last semester was truly an experience. It was a challenge for me to stay focused while having my synchronous classes at night as I decided to stay home in Thailand. The time difference is 12 to 13 hours depending on daylight-savings. I am very fortunate to be taught by professors who are very understanding and are always there to help their students succeed. Moreover, I am very grateful for our support staff; they are always willing to help and assist us in any way possible.

With some of us in different parts of the world, scheduling team meetings when everyone can be there has not been the easiest thing to do. Understanding the situation, everyone put forth the effort and made compromises so we can have weekly meetings to stay in touch with each other. In addition to the weekly meetings on Zoom, we keep each other updated and encourage each other through our group chats.

Staying home gave me a chance to play in different weather and course conditions and enjoy many rounds with my family's friends. I have been able to spend time practicing, working out, and hanging out with some of my friends that I do not get to see that often. This is the first time since I started high school in California that I have spent more than two to three months at home with my family. I am very grateful that I get to spend more time with them and my grandmother since she has recently gotten ill.

Although 2020 was a year full of challenges for us all, it taught us some valuable lessons along the way and gave us a chance to slow down to think about what is really important to us. Thank you for all the support that you have given us. I hope 2021 will be a much better year for everyone.

Stay safe and stay healthy!
- Stang