Today, as we celebrate International Education Week, we are featuring Nithan Oppuns.

As long as he can remember, Nithan Oppuns has had a lifelong interest in studying abroad. Growing up in Bangkok, Thailand, he thought Minnesota would be a special place because it offered him plenty of something he wanted: snow. His family has worked in government for many years, and he wanted to exit the “collective culture” and learn in a more individualistic setting offered in the United States. After applying to several colleges, he chose SPC because of its small campus and affordable location.

Nithan enrolled in the SPC Psychology Transfer Pathway program with plans to eventually return to Thailand and work in mental therapy near his family. He loves the easygoing, warm faculty who patiently help him with his minor language barrier. Nithan especially loves the cafeteria staff, who brighten his day with smiles and warm food. He embraces SPC’s “Fit In. Stand Out” motto as he believes everyone welcomes new students, and faculty boosts student growth to become successful leaders.  Nithan also enjoys helping others by serving as a mentor with the ILEAD program and as the past VP of the Student Psychology Club.

For “fun,” Nithan enjoys long-distance biking, running, and swimming. He recently biked from Saint Paul to Duluth and back (about 75 miles per day). He also tried biking from Chicago to Saint Paul, but that trip was interrupted by his friend, snow.

Nithan embraces SPC’s culturally diverse learning environment and looks forward to returning to Bangkok after completing his studies!