Exchange Student Interview: Poom

I can’t believe it’s been almost a decade ago that my friend, Poom, attended Newport High School. He was part of a close-knit group of exchange students who all brought fresh energy and great fun to the end of our high school years in 2010. I caught up with Poom recently to see how his year abroad at an American school impacted his English education and what he’s up to now! 

Newport High graduation day

How did studying abroad impact your education?

Oh my god! It’s totally impacted my life so much because in Thailand we study English in wrong way. And for me, it was so bad because we began with learning how to write, not to speak. It was so difficult because we did it reversely. I had to memorize all grammar by not using it in real life. Finally, I could get into Faculty of Dentistry (Chulalonglorn University the 1st university in Thailand) because of the English I had learnt when being an exchange student.

How has studying abroad changed (or unchanged) the way you see Americans? 

Actually it didn’t change any because I wasn’t expecting. I just wanted to go there to learn how different what we had for the cultures. Anyway, I have learnt about the benefit of your religion (Christian), they always did something together. I think it’s help a lot of society to have goodness and kindhearted. And in the rural area, I think we have same kind of people, we are more generous in this kind of area. What I love the most in Americans is being yourselves, and you can share your own opinions despite of doing it with the elders. 

How has studying abroad helped you in your career?

Actually, it’s not helping when I’m working because I’m a dentist and I rarely treat foreigners. Anyway it’s helped a lot when I have to study new knowledge because most of it is written in English. Finally, it may help me more in the future if I focus on the customers who are aboard because I can get more money from them. Because purchasing power is much more than Thai people. I mean, you guys have a cheaper price compare in your country.

Has studying abroad helped you step outside your comfort zone?

It’s helped so much. I was so bad in English before. It’s like I couldn’t even speak some, anyway I had a chance to get out to present some US history I had studied in the class. When we have no choice to run away and we have to face whatever coming you will grow really fast. It’s so true because even I thought I couldn’t do the presentation, I had done it pretty well. I grew a lot at that time because I was scared of being in front of many people, that time I learnt that the fear I had was only in my mind and I could overcome it. Others were some self-dependent stuff because no parent helps you as when you are at home, you almost have to do everything by yourself.

Finally, I had a chance to play some sports that I thought I would never do it well like soccer and tracking. Because in the US the students have to join some sport for after school activities. I love this so much because there is no such thing in Thailand (we study too hard no time for relaxing) and you will get to meet some great friends who love same kind of sports and try your best to play what you choose.

Grad night, 2010

Would you recommend studying abroad to others?

I totally support everyone to study abroad because the world is so big and we should learn how different people are to understand and not judge others. Moreover you will get some experiences that many people can only dream of. Anyway it depends on you because these could only happen if you start to do it.

Thank you, Poom!

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