From UF to Thailand: Prof. Karen Reed Experiences Songkran Festival

Through her personal blog, Stepping Off the Sidewalk, Karen S. Reed, Assoc. Dean for Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Education and Clinical Associate Professor at the College of Nursing

shares vivid reflections from her time abroad, offering a window into both her professional journey and cultural experiences.

As a UF Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Reed recounts her participation in Thailand’s Songkran Festival—the country’s vibrant three-day New Year celebration centered on renewal, purification, and water. Invited to join Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Nursing in a citywide parade, she walked alongside colleagues in a procession that spanned more than three miles and featured floats from nearly 100 Buddhist temples.

What followed was an unforgettable immersion into local tradition: streets filled with thousands of celebrants armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses, joyfully “dousing” parade participants and spectators alike. Despite the heat—and even the occasional splash from the city’s historic moat—the experience became a highlight of her Fulbright journey.

Beyond the festivities, Dr. Reed reflects on the deeper purpose of her time abroad: not only advancing her academic work, but also embracing cultural exchange. From playful interactions with local families to navigating the scale and energy of one of Thailand’s most iconic festivals, her story captures the spirit of global engagement.

Follow along with her journey and read more on her blog: Stepping Off the Sidewalk: A New Adventure in SE Asia.