[StampNews]

I agree with you that she will have the need (and it will be good for her) to socialize with children her own age. And the Christian youth group would provide that.

I think you misunderstand Buddhism again.
If she has a desire to attend services, perhaps that can be accommodated. There are no services in the way you think. People can go any time to make merit, chant and/or listen to a sermon given by a senior monk. They also go there to meditate. I don't know how long she will be with you (your first post is so far away now) but I don't think she will have any need (desire) to go. Teenagers I know will probably just do a short chant or some meditation before sleeping. Buddhism is not a demanding or strict religion like say Islam. End of story.

[indahouweres]

just a bit...

I was thinking about this thread last night and just want to say how exciting it is that you'll have this girl in your lives. You will BOTH be learning so much from each other. I was just talking to my Thai (host) sister last night and discussing plans for my upcoming visit to Thailand. We are taking a very quick weekend trip to Singapore and I had assumed we'd be staying in a hotel. I found out, however, that we're going to be staying with the host family of my Thai brother when he was abroad in Singapore. How cool is that. If not for all of these different exchange programs, I would not have such an experience. Exchange programs really do bring the world closer!

Have fun with this experience!

[easypokergonj]

Thank you. We are very excited about this experience. Thanks for the words of encouragement. We just want this experience to be a beneficial one for all involved. Hopefully, this will become a yearly event. Richard, the student will be here for the academic year, arriving in early August I assume and leaving in early June.

Jim Hekel
Newport, Tennessee

[StampNews]

That sounds great. I think it will be a great experience for everyone. We often get Thai students on our websites who are studying in America or elsewhere. They have to do a talk about Thailand in English. They find a lot of help on our www.ThailandLife.com website. If she needs any help of any kind then tell her to post on these forums and we will help. Can you send your address to me by email and I will send you some free stickers in Thai and English that say welcome. It might be a nice surprise for her.

[kylsq0Ln]

Jim,

Congratulations on taking this step. I wish you the best of luck with the experience, I'm sure it will be very rewarding.

Mike

[DownloadMan]

Lots of luck and do hope that you both enjoy it.
She will be coming to a place that has a lot of early American history to find out about too.

[MilenaMKB]

Hi Jim,
I just saw your post tonight so I think I would share my thoughts with you.
I am Thai and spent a lot of time studying in the US (NC). Now I am working in the US so I think I can speak for her in some aspects (even though, I am not as young as her.)

First of all, Thai students are very shy. Even though she passed the process and being accepted to come here, she is still super shy compared to American teenagers. She won't talk much (or won't talk at all the first few days) Don't get panick. If you ask her, it might take her a minute or two to answer you. It doesn't mean she doesn't want to talk or participate but for Thai people, here how it works--->
1. I think in Thai then translate into English-->2. I speak English carefully and slowly. (make sure it is grammartically correct)---> 3. you answer me in English----> 4. I listen to you and translate into thai---> 5. answer in Thai in my head ---> 6. repeat step 1-5. So you can see how slow the conversation could be.

Second, Thai people don't like to look funny. Speaking English is a big problem for us. We dont want to make a fool of ourselves. This includes western culture. It would be nice if you tell her in advance what will happen i.e., when she goes to a church --what she has to do, she would be every happy to hear that. Or if she will go to a party, she should know what it's like in that party because it is different from a party in Thailand.

Third, She will be stressed out a little bit the first few days in school and it could be weeks or months. It depends on her fluency in English. A lot of Thai students who come here couldn't understand a lot of things in classes and it stresses them out. I have seen a lot of complaints about it in a thai webboard. So it would be nice if you ask her about school and if there is anything you could help her with.

Fourth, about food. A lot of Thai teenagers like fast food but they will crave for Thai food so if you could take her out to a Thai restuarant from time to time, she will appreciate it a lot. I don't think cooking Thai food on a regular basis (even once a week or less) is the best option here. For several reasons, it's not easy to prepare thai food with proper ingredients, even if you have ingredients, some dishes have strong smell and they can disturb you and your neighbors, and cooking for one person is difficult. But she is not from Bangkok so I don't know how much she would like fast food.

Fifth, about religion. I do not think she will bring any buddha image with her except a small amulet. If she does, she will keep it in her room above her head but she will not ask you for candles or incense sticks. So I don't think you have to worry about it. I think she is willing to learn new things about your religion. However, she would be thrilled if you take her to a Thai temple.

Sixth, I would tell her about western culture of dating or mingling with teenagers here as well. I also think that is fair and important for you to tell her at the beginning if you have any rules about dating guys.

Seventh, about calling cards. There is a web site for her to buy calling cards to call back to Thailand. The one that I am using is from www.thaitel.com and it is reliable. She can buy it online or use her check. Do not buy from www.tollthai.com. There are a lot of problems with credit cards.

I am in NE but I lived in NC for 2 years. Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions now or when she comes and if she wants to speak Thai, she can talk to me. :-) My family had an exchange student from the US and he did have a great time there.

Sorry for the long answer, again, please feel free to ask me with any concerns. I am more than happy to help you. I wish you have a wonderful time with this student.

[RooxiaNof]

Hi Jim,

I am not sure what program are you hosting kids from Thailand. But if it is under www.afs.org then you should be OK. I have been volunteer as Finance Director for AFS Malaysia and have interacted with AFS Thailand. The people there are professional and the quality of students are excellent since the selection process is very competitive.

I have hosted many kids from overseas and I prefer European than American kids as the kids are more adaptive. I have hosted one from mineapolis-st paul and ended that she asked to go home. But after >10 years, she sent me a letter and followed by a parcel of Mecedemia chocolates and playing cards from Hawaii where she is based now.

I have one host son from Zurich and he is still very close to us and visited us several times in the past and he promised to come to my natural son's wedding this Nov.

It is worth all the effort to host a kids, both from Buddhist and altruist point of view. It is rewarding and enriching. Enjoy.

KhunChin
Kuala Lumpur

[Trercakaressy]

Syn that a very good post. I am sure they will appriciate your openess as to what might be going on in the mind of a young student who is experiencing a new adventure in their life.

[MilenaMKB]

Syn that a very good post. I am sure they will appriciate your openess as to what might be going on in the mind of a young student who is experiencing a new adventure in their life.

Thanks, RCA . Anyhow, would you consider taking me for a year as an exchange student at Hawaii? I dont eat a lot. Don't worry.