Hadsamramwittyakom High School, the lead school which coordinates our study abroad experiences in Trang with host families and school assignments, held an elaborate welcome party for our students and faculty, and for their host families, school directors, and some local officials.
The teachers and students went all out. There was an amazing spread of Thai fruits and other foods for us to try. Several student musical groups performed, and there were several dances showing a variety of styles throughout the country. The most touching was when dancers representing the North joined in a dance with dancers representing the style of the South and danced in harmony. The message was clear -- just like this dance, our group from UTSA coming to Trang to live with families and teach English in the schools was a meeting of different cultures who could work together in beautiful harmony!
A key part of the ceremony was when students were introduced to their host families, each of whom presented their student with a lei of flowers. At the end of the ceremony, students separated off with their host families into different directions, feeling excited and nervous at the same time over what the next two weeks would bring!
Thank you everyone for the most incredible welcome ever!
Terrific pictures and great memories! It is my hope that I will be back (in Thailand, somewhere!) to teach English as a foreign language! Good luck fellow UTSA Roadrunners! Enjoy EVERY MINUTE of your time there! Robin Wright
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