Scott Smiley ’96: Thailand

By Scott Smiley ’96 | April 15, 2024

Hometown: Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

While visiting Indonesia’s Tanjung Puting National Park and its orangutan preserve, Scott Smiley ’96 came across this orangutan.
While visiting Indonesia’s Tanjung Puting National Park and its orangutan preserve, Scott Smiley ’96 came across this orangutan. Photo courtesy of Scott Smiley.
Scott Smiley ’96 with his wife, Sarah Tang Smiley, son Pacific Smiley and daughter River Tang Smiley on the Island of Flores, Indonesia.
Scott Smiley ’96 with his wife, Sarah Tang Smiley, son Pacific Smiley and daughter River Tang Smiley on the Island of Flores, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Scott Smiley.
Scott Smiley ’96 (right) in a Tuk Tuk Taxi in Bangkok with (from left) his son Pacific Smiley, daughter River Tang Smiley, Allahna Brathwaite ’97, and Annie Gregory Reneau ’97.
Scott Smiley ’96 (right) in a Tuk Tuk Taxi in Bangkok with (from left) his son Pacific Smiley, daughter River Tang Smiley, Allahna Brathwaite ’97, and Annie Gregory Reneau ’97. Photo courtesy of Scott Smiley.

Current location: Bangkok, Thailand, since 2023. I’ve lived in Asia since 1996, including Tianjin and Shanghai, China; Singapore; and Jakarta, Indonesia.

Career: I am the chief commercial officer of Rhenus Logistics Air & Ocean, responsible for 600 salespeople in over 55 countries. From 2003–2018 I worked for the logistics firm JAS Worldwide. From 1998–2003 I was a China tour operator and travel agent, and from 1996–1998 I taught English in Tianjin, China.

Cornell impact: As a child, my family traveled frequently around the U.S. While at Cornell, I spent three blocks during my junior year in Europe. These experiences helped me learn that the world is a small and beautiful place. Cornell was more racially and politically diverse than my hometown and exposed me to different ideas. This helped me to experience new countries with an open mind. The block plan made studying abroad more flexible and my college degree gave me access to jobs and opportunities in other countries that I would not have had. After graduation in 1996 I planned to spend one year in a country as different from the U.S. as possible. China was looking for English teachers and this became an easy opportunity to experience life in another country. Professional opportunities were numerous and opened doors for me to live, travel, and work all over Asia. 

Benefits of living in a different culture: Finding experiences that are dramatically different from how I grew up is exhilarating. Expecting differences and embracing them makes life both easier and more enjoyable. Regardless of where I have lived, I have found ways to help those around me. Many countries around the world, including the U.S., need to do more to support refugees. In Indonesia, I have had the opportunity to support the Afghan migrant community, and in Thailand I have supported children displaced by unrest in Myanmar. 

What would you tell students: American passport holders are fortunate as we can travel much easier than many of our fellow humans. Take advantage of this to both learn about the world and teach people about America. Remember this and welcome migrants from elsewhere in the world who need a home in the U.S.

➤ Meet seven more international alumni

Tags: ,