Exchange Student “Poom” Sirilaophaisal Experiences A Different Culture At CCHS

Phummipat “Poom” Sirilaophaisal is experiencing American culture for the first time as an exchange student from Thailand. Photo Courtesy of POOM SIRILAOPHAISAL

BY RACHEL SHARPE

At the start of my fourth year on the varsity tennis team, I assumed I knew everyone on the team. However, as I looked around the bus on the way to our first match someone new caught my eye. He was sitting in the front row so I approached him and introduced myself. After talking with the sixteen-year-old boy, I found out that he was a foreign exchange student at our school from Thailand.

Phummipat “Poom” Sirilaophaisal was born and raised in Khonkaen, a city in Isan, Thailand. After living in Thailand for his whole life, Sirilaophaisal wanted to immerse himself in a completely new and foreign culture. Having already visited relatives who live in the U.S. twice before, Sirilaophaisal decided he wanted to attend high school in America.

“In Thailand, we only learned basic English grammar, not complex words, Sirilaophaisal. “I wanted to learn more about the American culture and learn to speak English fluently.  Luckily my parents were all for the idea. They encouraged me to go and thought it would be a great experience.”

With his parents’ full support, he began researching different foreign exchange programs. He chose a foundation called Ayusa, a foreign exchange program that allows students to study in an American high school for 5-10 months, experience a new culture and live with an American host family. However, getting accepted into the program was a difficult process. First, Sirilaophaisal had to pass an exam to make sure he could speak enough English to be able to communicate with his host family. Once he passed the test, he then had an interview with an Ayusa representative.

Shortly after his interview, Ayusa contacted Sirilaophaisal and assigned him to an American host family in New Mexico. However, after living with them for a month and a half, Sirilaophaisal contacted the agency and asked for a new host family because he wasn’t getting along well with his New Mexico family. Sirilaophaisal was taken in by freshman Michelle Johnston’s family and enrolled at CCHS in mid-October.

Since his move, Sirilaophaisal has loved everything about living in America. Poom says his favorite part about the United States is going to school.

“I love the education system here,” Sirilaophaisal said. “You really get knowledge of what you study and learn how to apply those things.” Sirilaophaisal has also made many friends here at CCHS. “Everyone has been so nice and welcoming,” said Sirilaophaisal.

Poom Sirilaophaisal (bottom right) posing with the Boys Tennis Team. Photo Credit: JP PORTRAITS

Since starting school at CCHS, Sirilaophaisal has even got involved in CCHS sports. In February, he tried out for the Varsity Tennis Team and was the 6th ranked player on the team. Though he has been playing tennis for years in Thailand, Sirilaophaisal admits that the sport is very different in the two countries. In Thailand, they only pick six people for the team, two doubles and two singles teams. At CCHS, the tennis team is much larger.

“Being on the tennis team was so much fun,” Sirilaophaisal said. “I was able to meet so many people and make so many new friends.”

CCHS tennis coach Sherry Cardona said that Sirilaophaisal was a great asset to the team this year. “He has showed great respect for everyone on the team,” Cardona said. “He came to every practice and match and was always ready to play. We will definitely miss having him next year.”

Sirilaophaisal has also taken an interest in basketball through his Physical Education class at school. “I was on the basketball team at my school in Thailand, but I would love to learn basketball in this country,” Sirilaophaisal said. “The United States is the best at basketball.”

Though Sirilaophaisal has had an amazing experience in America thus far, he admits that it is difficult being so far away from his family back in Thailand.

“It’s tough being so far away from my family. But I Skype with them at least once a week.”

Another difficulty that Sirilaophaisal has encountered is the language barrier. Though he has picked up on English pretty fast, Sirilaophaisal still has difficulty communicating his thoughts in some of his classes, especially his English class.

“I’m pretty friendly, but I can’t speak English as well as everyone else, so sometimes it is hard for me to explain myself to others.”

Though the language barrier and being so far away from home can be challenging at times, Sirilaophaisal has gained a sense of independence from living on his own for the first time. “In Thailand, I had a maid who did everything around the house for me. Living with a host family, I have to learn how to do things on my own and not rely on others.”

Though Sirilaophaisal only has a few months left with his host family, he is so grateful for the experience he has had as a foreign exchange student. And despite all that Sirilaophaisal has gained from living in America, the experience has truly been a two-way learning exchange for Sirilaophaisal and his host family.

“I teach them about Thailand including some Thai words. They help teach me about American culture. The learning goes both ways. They take care of me very well. They treat me like I am part of their family.”