Most years here at South High, the student population gains at least one student from a foreign nation (commonly known as an ‘exchange student’). This year, South High welcomes junior Miaa Wisitthipakdeekun, a 16-year-old student from Bangkok, Thailand.
The process from being your average high school student, to internationally transferring to a new school can be quite tedious; this was a process Wisitthipakdeekun began in June of 2023 when she was a sophomore.
With new changes come new experiences, and after traveling over 8,774 miles from Bangkok to Ballwin, Wisitthipakdeekun has spent the past two months adjusting to school life here in the States.
“In Thailand, school starts at 8 (A.M.) and ends at 4:30 (P.M.)… I’d get home at around 6-7 pm each night. After classes, we’d (classmates) just sit on a bench and play guitars,” said Wisitthipakdeekun.
Wisitthipakdeekun hasn’t let her acclimation to the school day’s schedule affect her performance as a student.
“She’s a good reader, just like any American student,” said English teacher Matt Timmons who teaches Wisitthipakdeekun in his English 3 class. “I’m excited to have her; I’ve never had a student from Thailand before.”
In the evenings when her schedule does not include school, Wisitthipakdeekun enjoys a relatively simple evening.
“After school I study, then I will play with the dogs at my host home,” said Wisitthipakdeekun. “Sometimes I’ll watch American movies. I like Western action movies like The Quiet Place, and also Chris Hemsworth.”
In Thailand, Wisitthipakdeekun’s after-school ritual was slightly different with more time spent surrounded by her large friend groups.
“There’s 11 people and we’ve been friends since sophomore year, some of them I’ve been friends with since grade 7. We usually go to the mall (in the evening) and the old town market near our school. We always laugh a lot when we’re together,” said Wisitthipakdeekun.
While adapting to American education was not nearly as much of a challenge as the average person would think it was, adapting to the diversity of the United States was more of a culture shock for Wisitthipakdeekun.
“There’s a lot (of new foods), but I don’t remember the names of them. I never had Mexican food before,” said Wisitthipakdeekun. “I just had my first taco like last week, and it’s really good.”
Another cultural difference between teenagers in Bangkok and teens in Ballwin is accessibility and transportation.
“Mostly when I was in Thailand, I went to a lot of places by myself because we have a lot of public transportation and Bangkok is more busier,” said Wisitthipakdeekun.
In Ballwin, public transportation is more dispersed while our society is more car-driven.
“Here I normally can’t go places because you have to drive and I can’t,” said Wisitthipakdeekun, “and also, teenagers can drive (here) at 16, and in Thailand, you have to be 20.”
The places accessible for teenagers to travel to and hang out with friends in Bangkok are something Wisitthipakdeekun misses the most about her hometown.
“I like to go to aquariums and museums in Thailand and I miss just walking around on the street,” said Wisitthipakdeekun.
A major difference between the day-to-day lives of exchange students like Wisitthipakdeekun and average students at South is that they are surrounded by family.
“My dad is a commercial editor, and my mom used to work at a bank,” said Wisitthipakdeekun, “And I have no siblings.”
On the other hand, the introduction to her host family here in Ballwin has introduced her to how Thai culture is presented in the United States.
“My host family took me to Thai restaurants where all the waiters were Thai; My host family is really welcoming,” said Wisitthipakdeekun.
The new family Wisitthipakdeekun has found here in Ballwin has introduced her to memories she plans on sharing with her family back in Bangkok.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Wisitthipakdeekun.
The feeling is mutual with one member of her exchange family, junior Jenna Lambiase.
“I love having Miaa here because my whole life my parents have talked about having a foreign exchange student, and now it’s finally happening,” said Lambiase. “She (Wistthipakdeekun) is also so sweet and overall amazing.”
Concerning the rest of the year at South and in the U.S.: Wisitthipakdeekun has plans for new experiences like concerts and activities recommended to her by new friends.
“Last weekend we went to Six Flags and I rode most of the rides, but I’ve really wanted to sing in public in big groups (busking) and then take the money to donate it to places like hospitals,” said Wisitthipakdeekun.
Wisitthipakdeekun also wishes to visit friends that she’s had back in Thailand who live throughout the U.S.
“I’ve actually wanted to go to Maine because my friend is an exchange student in Maine,” said Wisitthipakdeekun. “I have a lot of friends who are exchange students, like one in Texas and one in California.”
