1st Email

**Below is a copy of the first (and only) mass email I sent on 10/31**

Sawatdee (“hello”) from Thailand!

I think most of you know that I left for Thailand a couple weeks ago to teach English for a semester since many of you expressed interest in receiving updates while I’m abroad. For those of you who are receiving this but have no interest, just can this right away. I doubt anyone would actually say “please remove me from your list,” but you’re more than welcome to unsubscribe.

So, anyway, back to the story. After college graduation last spring I wasn’t ready to settle into the 9-5 grind so I searched for alternatives and came across an opportunity to live and teach abroad and make a little money at the same time. I applied through a non-profit program that placed me in a boarding school in Northeast Thailand. On October 16, I departed for the Land of Smiles.

FIRST WEEK

I arrived in Bangkok late Friday night where I spent my first week in orientation – aka “how to teach English and speak Thai...in five days.” Sixty-three other participants and I learned the basics of teaching English as a foreign language, as well as how to speak a little conversational Thai on the side. Last week, each of the participants parted ways and went to their respective schools scattered throughout all of Thailand. I’m teaching with another participant who is originally from Wisconsin. Midwest represent!

WHERE I’M LIVING

I’m living in Khaowong, a very small town in Kalasin Province, not too far from Laos. The primary language is in fact not Thai, but Isaan (basically the same as Lao). Locals also speak another dialect called Puthai. I haven’t quite figured that one out. I think it's a dialect of Isaan? Or maybe Thai? Either way, I’m a little fuzzy on what to speak, but the locals are so welcoming and willing to help me along. I’m sure I’ll be fluent in all three in no time! (only joking of course)

LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS

I’m sharing a flat with a young Chinese woman who also teaches at the school. She speaks English much better than I speak Chinese or Thai, so English and hand gestures are our common languages. We don’t have air conditioning, but ceiling fans keep us surprisingly cool. Unfortunately a plethora of mosquitoes, geckos and other creepy crawlers are able to get inside because there are open slats along the top of some walls, allowing the little buggers to fly/crawl in. As long as they don’t bother me, I won’t bother them. (Too bad the mosquitoes don’t seem to live by that motto).

TEACHING

Through my Western eyes, the Thai school system in absolute chaos! Students frequently drift in and out of classrooms, even during a lesson. There are always groups of unsupervised kids hanging out in the hallways (which are more like balconies…I’ll post pictures soon!) The students pretty much do what they please. It’s not unusual for a student from another class to pop in for a visit. It’s really difficult to fight the system because this is just the way it is and the teachers are totally enabling it. We were warned about this during orientation, but I guess I didn’t expect it to be quite to this degree. (Note: this may not be the case in every Thai school. I don't want to misrepresent the entire Thai education system. I'm just making observations of my school.)

Despite the lack of organization, the students still do show respect. They don’t talk back or make vulgar comments (at least not in English) like students in the U.S. might. When I walk the halls, I regularly hear shouts of “Hello, teacher!” or “How are you teacher?” Teachers are highly respected in Thailand. Whenever I walk past students, they quickly move out of the way and “wai” me at the second level. Let me explain – the “wai” is the traditional Thai greeting where you put the tips of your fingers together and bow your head slightly. The higher the fingers to the top of your forehead, the more respect one pays. There are three levels: 1) To sacred objects and structures in Buddhism and to monks 2) To the elderly, teachers, and other highly revered persons 3) To persons of the same status and age and among the general public. So, I feel like quite a celebrity around school and town! And there’s no hiding because I am one of two Westerners in Khaowong.

I feel like I could write another 30 paragraphs about my experience thus far because this culture is just soooo different from anything Western. I’ve probably already lost half of you, though, because this email is growing incredibly lengthy. I vowed never to be one of those travelers who send ridiculously long mass emails about themselves. I guess I broke that vow today. Alright, I vow to keep the next email shorter…maybe?

Sending good wishes your way,

Kristine/Krissie/Kris

P.S. Since a few of you asked, here is my mailing address:

Kristine Emrich

Kanchanapisekwittayalaikalasin School

99 Moo 16 Tambon Khumkao

Ampher Khaowong

Kalasin 43160 46160

THAILAND

Also, I broke down and bought a cell phone. From the U.S., dial:

011-66-80-579-7715

FYI - Thailand is 12 hours ahead U.S. Central time. After November 2, it will be 13 hours ahead.