Revive in Thailand: A Post-Surgery Dream

Becca Jorgensen-Duffy Start Date: Nov 23, 2024 - End Date: Mar 22, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Thailand

My Travel Story

by: Becca Jorgensen-Duffy Start Date: Nov 23, 2024 - End Date: Mar 22, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
I first noticed dizziness in March of 7th grade, and by April, the vertigo was constant. We thought it was a sinus infection, but I was diagnosed with BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), a condition common in older adults, not kids, and especially rare in the left anterior canal. Essentially, gravity caused my vertigo, and even though doctors tried moving my head to settle these finicky crystals, it didn’t work. After a year, I had brain surgery to plug the canal, which worked—until two years later, when the dizziness returned. By the middle of the pandemic, I could barely walk. Another surgery failed, and antibiotic injections through my eardrum made me sick and caused hearing loss. I was exhausted, struggling in school, and overwhelmed by frequent doctor visits. Eventually, we paused treatment.


I had one more major surgery, and as a result, I missed most of my senior year of high school—an experience that felt like losing a pivotal time in my life. I had always dreamed of living out senior year like they did in the movies, and instead I watched as my friends all celebrated and I struggled through vestibular rehab. While I was heartbroken to miss out on milestones and moments with friends, that difficult period forced me to reframe how I approach life. Instead of focusing on what I’d lost, I began to focus on what I still had and the time ahead. I decided that my college experience would be different. I made a promise to myself: I would make every moment count. No more waiting for the "right time" or perfect circumstances—I would create joy and fulfillment even in the face of adversity. Now, every day is an opportunity to live fully, to embrace what I love, and to refuse to let setbacks define me. That shift in perspective has become my driving force, filling my life with purpose and resilience, and is exactly what is leading me to this study abroad experience. I plan on embracing each moment fully, no matter how daunting or unfamiliar it may be, because the best memories often come from facing the things we are the most fearful of. 

Getting to study in Thailand is more than an adventure—it's a chance to reclaim the pieces of life vertigo stole from me. After years of missed experiences and overwhelming struggles, this journey represents freedom, healing, and the opportunity to rediscover joy. It’s my way of embracing the vibrant life I fought so hard to regain.
  • Thailand