Foreign Exchange Student Connection in Thailand

 

As you may remember, this year my family is hosting a foreign exchange student from Italy. Gaia has joined our family through a program called the American Field Service (AFS for short). These students live with host families in the U.S. for 10 months, from August until the end of June.

When I was Thailand a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet up with a former exchange student from my high school days. Boong was an AFS’er from Thailand at my school during the 2008-2009 school year – almost 10 years ago! We follow each other on Instagram, so I told her when I’d be in Bangkok and we planned to meet for dinner.

On my second day in Thailand, we met up at the Saphan Taksin BTS station. From there, we took a free ferry across the Chao Phraya River to the Asiatique mall, where we found Boong’s favorite place to eat – MK, a hot pot restaurant. I’d never had hot pot before, so I was excited to try something new. It was also nice to be with someone who spoke Thai; for the first time in two days, I didn’t have to think as Boong spoke with the waitress and placed our orders.

As I struggled with my chopsticks, the two of us caught up. We talked about Thailand, our jobs, and friends we’d gone to high school with. (Has it really been almost 10 years?) After dinner, we took a taxi to Chinatown, where we met up with a couple of her friends and tried Chinese street food. Full, exhausted, and happy, we said our good-byes and I thanked her for entertaining me for the evening.

I loved having the opportunity to experience a bit of Bangkok with a local. Even though it had been 9 years since Boong and I had last seen each other, it was awesome to have that connection readily available when I arrived in Thailand. That’s one of my favorite things about the AFS program – it really does bring the world closer.

There are former exchange students from my past scattered all across the globe, and I’d feel totally comfortable reaching out to any of them if I knew I’d be traveling to their home countries. More than just being a mini-reunion, it’s a reversal of roles. Once upon a time, they were alone in a new country and didn’t know anyone. This time around, it’s me! They get the chance to play tour guide. (And doesn’t everyone love that?)

This was only the first time I’ve used the AFS connection in my travels, but I know it won’t be the last. Now, where should I go next? Finland? Japan?

 

Learn more about hosting an AFS student, and let me know what questions you have!

-Cathy

 

Originally Published on December 4, 2017.