“Sun” shines at east

Gabby Reed
October 19, 2009
Filed under Student Life, Uncategorized

Thai exchange student Chanodom Piankusol, better known as “Sun,” has already been brought to tears during his two months in the United States. But not for the reason you might think.

“I cooked for my [host] family one time, and I was crying,” he said, remarking on the spiciness of American foods.      

Piankusol, 17, was one of close to 1,000 Thai students to apply for a competitive exchange program with the U.S. earlier this year. From this group, only 100 were accepted, and Piankusol was one of only two students granted a full scholarship.

Not surprisingly, Piankusol has already noticed plenty of differences between Thailand and his new life at East Meck. To begin with, he describes school in Thailand as more regimented, with students given no choices as to classes. Furthermore, students stay in one room all day, while teachers move from class to class. Piankusol has enjoyed the changes thus far.

“I like to walk and meet new people,” he remarked.

However, in spite of his rigorous schedule, including four AP classes, Piankusol says that some aspects of Thai schooling are much more difficult. Quizzes, for example, are not given as review, but instead include questions on topics that haven’t yet been taught.

Piankusol has also been introduced to American culture outside of school. He has gone to the movies, explored downtown Charlotte, and even taken a jaunt to Laser Quest.

Back home in Thailand, Piankusol lives in Chiang Mai, a large city in the north of the country. He is one of a family of eight, with three older and two younger siblings. Though Piankusol may miss Thai food, he will freely admit that he is happy to be free from the stress of home life.

“I don’t miss my family,” he proudly declared.

Piankusol’s older sister and brother are currently undergraduate students at the University of California at Los Angeles. However, Piankusol plans to return to Thailand for college, after completing the fifth year of high school that is a requisite in his native country. He then hopes to become a doctor, which requires six years of schooling in Thailand as opposed to the traditional eight years in the U.S.

Piankusol will remain in Charlotte for the duration of the school year, and will live with several different host families during this time.