Thousands of Miles from Home

Thousands of Miles from Home

Jessica Cobb, Features Editor

Being only a seventeen-year-old myself, I couldn’t imagine packing up my life and moving to a country I have never been to before, but for Praphat Luewirot this is something he’s more than excited for. As part of the foreign exchange program, he’ll be joining us at BCHS this year all the way from Thailand!  Praphat is from Chanthaburi, a town in the east of Thailand which is more than 8,000 miles away.  It is nestled on the banks of the Chanthaburi River and is 245 km from Bangkok.  Chanthaburi is a town marked by pristine beaches, beautiful waterfall, temples, gem markets, and diverse food choices.  In fact, Praphat said the food in his country is one of the things he misses most about his country.  Praphat also said that fast food here is the thing he likes the least in the United States. 

Praphat misses his friends and traditions in Chanthaburi.  When I asked him where he would take me first if I visited him there he said he would take me to his school and would want to share the Songkran Festival , which is Thai New Year’s National Holiday.  Praphat said that school here really surprised him and that he thinks the biggest challenge for him will be language.  Praphat stated that  if they don’t “get what other students or teachers are saying… it’s going to be a really bad problem.”  

Praphat does seem to be enjoying his time in the United States.  He said he likes the friendliness people show toward him and that he is excited to participate in Homecoming Week activities.  BCHS students seem to enjoy Praphat’s company as well.