I want her to feel really welcome. We are a caring and affectionate family.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!I'll be getting a high school exchange student from Thailand this summer. Any words of wisdom or advice?
We had an exchange student too from Japan last year!
Common problems:
1) Language Barrier : make sure you speak slowly %26amp; that she understands you.. sometimes, conflicts arise from being lost in translation. Be patient, it can be frustrating.
2) Religion: ask what is her Religious orientation; does she has a daily routine like praying, reading their bible, etc.If she has a daily rituals then respect her privacy. Our student is Buddhist %26amp; once a week she had to burn incense in her room (which always activate the fire-alarm %26amp; stinks the whole room), so we suggested in a polite way to change the location, hence we found a spot by the Garden.
3) Food: what she can %26amp; cannot eat; Any food Allergens! In North America, toast, cereal and/or coffee are the common breakfast; In other culture esp Asia, they eat rice or soup in the morning, so don't be surprise if she wants full meal in the morning. Our Japanese student always asked for noodle soup in am. Don't be perplexed %26amp; don't look at her when she eats, or she will feel unwelcome or embarrassed and never to ask again! In Japan, they eat raw fish but no pork; Ask your student what she's allowed to eat, vegetarian,vegan or anything ! (Note: In some Culture they pray before each meal...)
4) Electronic Stuffs (i.e. Micro's;Laundry Machine;blow dryer,etc): explain %26amp; demonstrate how it works, it might be different from what she's used to. Ask if she brought any electronic gadgets %26amp; explain that she can't use any of them bcos of the voltage (Asia is 220 volts, NA is 110). Our japanese student blew off our fuse one time bcos she used her hairdyer w/c is 220.
5) Always offer anything %26amp; open your line of communication, sometimes, she might be shy to ask.
6) Be supportive, bcos of homesickness your student might feel low %26amp; withdrawn. To avoid this, invite your student to all activities %26amp; show her around. Travel to nearby cities. Ask your student to teach you their language, anything that will kill the homesickness!
7) Be respectful of her Culture. Don't make fun or say negative criticisms about her country. Or mimic her accent, that is considered racism!
8) Lastly, advised your student that before travelling, she should purchase a Medical Insurance that is valid for a year (that is renewable in case she decides to stay longer).
9) And of course, have lots of fun!I'll be getting a high school exchange student from Thailand this summer. Any words of wisdom or advice?
find out more about Thailand foods,ask the exchange student open questions,like what she likes and doesn't like
there is nothing like a good exchange communication
http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.鈥?/a>
Try to find places in your city like thai restaurants and small asian food markets where she can go and buy some foods from her country, that will help her see that you are making an attempt to make her comfortable. Take her places and show her different things here, and help her with learning the english language and ask her to help you learn her native tongue, trust me, it will be fun. I recently worked with a girl from Thailand for three months and she is one of the best people I have ever met, very appreciative and respectful young lady whom I will remember for the rest of my life. She liked going and seeing different places, was intrigued by Barnes and Noble and she loves to shop because name brand items are really expensive in thailand. Our dollar is worth about 34 baht. Be patient with her and help her, you actually have more to learn from her than she does from you. They say thank you alot and do a little repectful bow which is part of their culture, and the thai word for thank you is said like: kob khun kai. TRY TO LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
research her country. on the first night try to prepare her a meal from her country, in order to make her feel a little bit more comfortable. after that just be nice to her and let her have an authentic U.S. experience.
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