Hello!! :) I know I supposed to send this a week ago but since I had two e-mails and forgot to check this one recently, I apologize...
I don't really take a lot of photos (nor am I fond of it) and even when I do, I'm not usually in it because I'm the one holding the camera so I'll see what I have and will send it to you.
As for my story,
How do I know about student exchange programs? Why am I in it?
- Because I want to go and study abroad, I look for ways to do that but mostly, it's my dad. He's great. Anyway, I think he--for lack of better word--seek for it. And since I'm interested, we decide to go for it.
- Exchange programs do not come by as easy as the wind does so this is a real golden opportunity. Really, not everyone in Thailand can brag that they have been an exchange student.
How to prepare myself?
- For me, pretty much just packing my things and knowing a bit about the country is good enough. For the rest, go and get it there. Take as much as you can back.
- For people going to cold countries, do bring warm clothes. Stock up on winter cloths like coats, scarves, socks, gloves, etc. Snow boots are needed. I bought them there because I can't find it back home. It is best to find some kind of clothes you wear under your outfits.
- The language in question, however, is a totally different aspect. English (since I go to the USA) should be at an able level. Make sure you can communicate. Maybe not eloquently but just at a certain level. Grammar and vocab are very important, if you want an A, that is.
- Go to tutorial schools. But seriously, since when do Thai kids don't go to one? Don't give up or get frustrated, etc.
- It's a big help too to talk to your host family through emails or phones. Ask them what you should bring. What would be necessary? ..., etc.
Flight to the US!!
- It's just so confusing! Well, it's not that bad if you've been on planes before which I, unfortunately so, was a first-timer.
- I am extremely relieved and grateful that I got the young pad thinggy...?? Well, something that said I was green and unbelievably ignorant of any flying experience. There was a flight attendant from China airline who helped me.
- When the plane was about to lift off, I saw its wings sort of bounced up and down slightly. Made me nervous. It looked like it was made of plastic. Anyway, this is irrelevant.
- Very boring on the plane, by the way. Bring some thing to do. Books, ipod, etc.
Host family
- You'll get a chore list, I bet.
- Pretty much just respect them. Treat them nicely. Don't be a brat. Offer help to them. Be polite.
- Culture shock? Not really, I mean they're different but they're human--just like us. Teenagers sleep late, hang out--just like us. Adults complain a lot, bossy--just like ours. lol. So just go with the flow. Do what they do, the good things, of course. Just act like when you're at home because practically this is your home for the next ten months whatsoever. It's no big deal. They're different,we know that. So when you see something out of ordinary (our ordinary, at that), don't just go into culture shock. Accept the change. We're exchange students. We're supposed to find something different.
School....is great (I feel like a nerd now, haha)
- I love how they run things here. The system is strict and casual at the same time. When they say no cell phones, it means if they find one, they take it. When we say no cell phones, it means the teacher is going to keep saying that until the class ends. At least, that is my perception of their system compared to ours. They don't have to go to tutorial schools which means they have a life. They don't have to overstuff their brains with information they don't use when they start working and their country is still running just fine. No pun intended...well, a little.
- You get to choose your classes here! No more forceful, fixed schedule! No pun intended...well, a bit.
- On the other hand, you don't need to worry about having difficulty studying, apart form the language itself. The classes are very easy. Too easy for my liking but I can't have everything. US History is hard though. Study hard and you'll get an A, hopefully.
- You can see the difference between clubs here and there. Their Drama clubs are amazing, dedicated. School newspaper, superb. School council, effective. They encourage students to express themselves. And they don't force you into any clubs. You join on your own will.
- Schools don't keep you until evening like you're some kind of property. They let you go at 2 pm. Enough time for homework and life.
- Be careful picking friends. People are very independent. They do whatever they want. Some nice people are real nice. Some not-so-nice people are scary.
- People are interested in exchange students.
- Don't be afraid to ask. To put it roughly, you're an exchange student. English is not your first language. It's ok to be stupid.
In my free time, I read and watch TV.
This is pretty much what I got right now. If you have any question or want me to write something in details, just tell me and I'll try to answer you as soon as possible. I apologize again for not putting this in Microsoft Word (it's easier to just type here) or not being formal. But formal is sooooo boring! P.S. The photos attached are of the newer ones. Which are of my field trip to U mass for some journalism project lecture thing in publication class.
Tientip Chalokkongtaworn ID#40400, The United Sates of America