Quotes from Journal Reflection 1

Okay, let’s start looking at this experience from the eyes of the students. Below are quotes from student journal reflection 1. Students wrote their first journal entries after having been in the country for a couple of days. We had spent a day in Bangkok and traveled to Hua Hin with a stop at the floating market, and had a bit of time in evening at the beach resort. So these reflections sum up nicely the students’ initial impressions and thoughts. To respect the privacy of the students we are not putting their names next to their quotes:

Quote 1

Bangkok is a feast for the senses. Every receptor goes into information
overload. As the day drew to a close, my body was tired, but so were my eyes,
ears, and nose! But oh how wonderful it was to experience the city.

Quote 2

I am looking forward to a more authentic cultural engagement experience. To date
most of my experiences have been limited to interactions with people in the
markets and hotels and revolved around my needs. To have true cultural
engagement, I feel that people have to be on “equal footing.” I look forward to
being with my host family.

Quote 3

In my short time in Thailand w/out knowing any of the language, I was still able
to pick up on the feelings of the people. A smile goes a long way in any
culture. The more we smile and greet others with positive body language, the
more willing they are to help and be positive with you.

Quote 4

Today when we were at the floating market, as we were bartering with the
merchants and haggling prices, it became almost a game. Though I felt initially
victorious at my skills and at my purchases, I also felt disgusted that I had
talked down prices on items from people who really needed the money.

Quote 5

Today we ate at a restaurant here at the resort and our waiters were so calm as
well. I was actually annoyed a little because they just stood there and waited
for us to order. They were also very quiet! I felt like telling them to go away
and come back in a few minutes. I think I was just hungry and that’s why I felt
a little annoyed. One thing I hope to gain from this entire experience is going
back to America with a different attitude towards things.

Quote 6

I tried to prepare myself for this trip as much as possible before embarking on
our journey. I thought I had the basics covered: Thai culture, Thai cuisine,
Thai history and anything I could find on the web. I don’t believe I managed to
prepare myself emotionally or mentally for the things I have seen. The
make-shift homes made of sheet-metal under the overpass really hit home to me. I
remember as a child growing up in Puerto Rico (granted, its not the same as it
is here) and even though it is part of the United States, there are people
living in shacks in El Yungre (National Rainforest). I cannot put words to how I
felt at that moment. I came with the understanding that this is a third-world
country, but I don’t think I truly grasped the concept until I got her

Quote 7

As an American outside of the United States, there is so much I can say about my
experience thus far. In a span of only a few days, I have gained a greater
appreciation for a world outside of my own while simultaneously gaining the same
strong appreciation for my home. From the perspective of a future teacher, I can
whole heartedly declare that all people who are going to teach the incredibly
diverse population of students in the U.S. should have to study abroad.

Quote 8

The experience today that really got me thinking was the floating market. Lately I’ve been thinking a good deal about the impact/influence of our modern industrialized society on the emotional, social, spiritual, etc. health of the individual. … To me, the Thai people at the market seemed relaxed and natural. I wanted to go up and talk to some of the people in their houses on the side of the river.