There are many difference between my life in Thailand and here in America. Here are some:

Home Life:

1. Shoes allowed inside house
2. Laundry once a week (on Sunday)
3. Clean my room once a week (on Saturday)
4. Bread is the main meal
5. Go to church every Sunday morning
6. Pray before meal (depends on religion)
7. No lock on the doors
8. Take a bath once a day

School Life:

1. No uniform (public school)
2. Everybody has their own locker to keep their stuff.
3. Text books are so big.
4. Calculator is allowed in Math class.
5. Food and drink are allowed in classroom.
6. Students can go outside school during lunch break but must be back in time for next period.
7. Students who are out of class during class time must carry a hall pass.
8. Change classroom every period.
9. Schedule is same everyday (Mon.-Fri.)

Hi, my name is Usana Usanachitt, but everyone calls me Tant which is my nicknamee. I am a Thai girl who is sixteen years old. At the moment I am living in Utah, USA as an exchange student for one school year (2000-2001). I come from Bangkok, Thailand.

Read my Christmas Diary! Or read about Halloween in America.

In Thailand, I studied at Trium Udomsuksa Pattanakarn school which is the biggest school in Thailand. I have studied there for 5 years

I learned about the exchange student program when I was in Matthayom 4 (tenth grade). At first, I wasn't very interested. But, I took the exam because my friends were doing it. I took two exams. I passed the written exam but I failed the interview exam. I was not upset that much because I didn't expect to pass. There are many exchange student programs in Thailand. So, I tried a different program. This time there was a written and listening exam and I passed both of them. I was proud to get into an exchange student program. I then had to decide whether I would go or not. It took me a long time to decide. I had to think about my life: What happens if I am an exchange student? What happens with me without my parents and my lovely family? What should I do if I am in trouble while I am living in the US which is far away from my hometown?

Finally, after I got some suggestions from my parents and my cousin who used to study in the US, I decided to apply. I didn't know if it would be a good thing or not. I was very scared because it is a long time to be far away from my home.

When I was in Matthayom 5, I had to prepare myself and my English skills. So I dropped out of school for two months before going to America. I had a tutor to improve my English speaking and writing. It helped me a lot. I also went to school once a week to meet my friends. I knew once I was in the US, I would miss them a lot.

Two months passed, it was time to leave. The night before departure, I couldn't sleep. I stayed with my mother all night long. When I arrived at the Salt Lake City Airport, Salt Lake City, I met my host family. I said "Hi" and introduced myself to them. They took me home and showed me around the house and my room. I was so tired after the long flight (Bangkok, Thailand - SLC, Utah, USA). Two days later, I must to go school.

I had problems the first few weeks. I couldn't understand what the teachers said. I couldn't catch up in the class. I was so worried. I studied hard. As time passed, everything got better and better. I can now understand what my teachers say, more than during the first few weeks. I can smile now. Because I know, nothing is going to be hard if I try, so I try more and more. English is not my language so I have to study harder than American students. Everyone is required to take English and US studies. These are the hardest class for me.

Teachers and friends in my new school are excited that there is a Thai student in their school. So am I. I am so excited to be in an American school. I have never thought that I would have a chance to study in an American High School and spend part of my life in the US. I enjoy staying here so far.

My host family is a big family. Their youngest daughter is the same age as me. She is in the same grade too. I can learn about their culture from them. The important thing is that I adjust myself to everything, not have everything adjust to me. I will gain new experiences here. I came here only for one school year. I would like to have a good experience as much as I can.

This is one of the good ways to have something new in your life. I will never forget the good time that I used to live in the US!! I will stay here for another 7 months. I believe there will be a lot of good times for me in the next 7 months.

Usana Usanachitt (Tant)
November, 2000.

Email: tan@thaistudents.com or
Tan_usana@hotmail.com

ICQ: 54103029