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THE GOOOOOOOD, THE BADDDDDD and …THE UGLY
Sometimes I wonder how I ended up in Thailand, when Bob White, Roy Joseph and company
originally assigned me to Finland. Well, it’s been 7 months and now that doesn’t really matter
anymore. I’m here already and it’s almost time to leave so why not just make the most of it, right? Well, congratulations to the Outbound Class of 2001-2002.
You have come this far and I am sure that you all will represent district 6990 well.
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Youth Exchange is an opportunity like no other, no matter which organization it is. You are very fortunate to be apart
of Rotary International’s Exchange Program…but I guess you know that.
Well let’s look at ‘The good, the bad and the ugly’ of spending a year abroad.
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THE GOOD – Congratulations, you are about to embark on a journey and experience that many young teens only
dream of. Youth exchange will open up an entirely new world for you as it has
for me. Of course, you will learn a new language and yes you will also make many new friends and acquaintances but honestly you will gain far more than
that. When I first came to Thailand I always thought that Thai people lacked logic and reason. Simply because they
would do the things they do but can’t really say why they do them. But now, I am doing those same things and I as
well, can’t say why I do them. But in my heart there is a “method to the madness.” As a Y.E. you will have the
opportunity to go into the minds and think just as how the people of your
host-country think. Soon, you will wonder if you could ever NOT do some of the customs that you have adapted during your year. I now realize that one year is
definitely not enough time to learn and see everything. I am always having conversations with other exchange
students about how we will live when we leave Thailand. We just can't imagine NOT being able to ‘wai’ to our
elders and things that we respect. We can't imagine NOT taking our shoes off before we go into a home or church or
something like that. As well as we can't imagine NOT eating with a fork and spoon. It's not all about the fun you
know? In fact it really has nothing to do with fun but more about learning. I
read 'Touch the Dragon' again, (a book that all of you should read) and it' true..."My real education has began in Thailand." Some people ask me if these
things are only experience or are they my customs for life and now I don't really know because all are not bad. It's like everything except Thailand is just a
dream to me now. There are 3 words "mai pehn lai" which means nevermind...that is all that’s on my mind. Thai people put their total trust in their gods,
why can't western people do that. Why do we worry so much? Thailand has this aura that causes you to forget about everything else. Being a
Y.E. also allows you to see what the ‘tourists’ don’t see. You will get to live with the locals not in a hotel, you will get to go
to school and surround yourself with people who speak the language, something many foreigners never get to
experience. Another good thing is that, after your Youth Exchange year, I can
guarantee you that your perspective on life will change. Even now, some people back home call me crazy because of how my thinking has changed.
THE BAD - Everybody has their own lives and it has been one year, what will make me or you think that they will be
interested in what we did? Each person has memories of their own, ones they like to talk about. I believe the only
people who really, honestly care to talk would be those 4 or 5 who one went through the same feelings and change as
me. But no matter how much I complain about going back to the Western world, I still have to make that 23 hour
journey back home and you will have to come back home too. As a Y.E. you will know those people for one
year and then basically that's the end. The world doesn't really care to know what happens when the eastern and western
world theories are combined and how we can make the world better. Very few people really, really care. People will never comprehend what's so good about another country and how much you could possibly learn. Do you know that Barbara means 'little foreign girl', so
my German friend told me. Haha. I don't care what people may think though.
What's the point of having youth exchange if you can't be different and be yourself? There are real people out there
with real problems who don't worry nearly as much we do.
THE UGLY - You know, sometimes I wonder if it's wrong to respect the things others worship? But I learnt Thai
Manners in school so when I go into a temple etc. I just pay respect because
that's what you are supposed to do. I don't want to just be another unaware 'falang' who doesn’t know the customs of Thailand. That’s the ugly part.
Sometimes you will be classified with all other westerners or with all the people from your country. Why? Sometimes
the people of your host-country won’t know that you are learning and that you are living as one of them and that you really want to know about the customs of their country.
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So basically, that's all why I think one year in Thailand is not enough. But everybody thinks that way. In such a short
time, from December when all Y.E.’s here wanted to go home, to now when
none of us want to leave, we have learnt ALOT. Before I came here, I never ever really took notice of people around me. But now...I can remember so many
different faces and just how they smiled at me. All of these people here have caused me to learn and calm our hearts and minds so much. It's amazing!
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Have fun and enjoy your weekend! No matter where you may go I am sure that you will have the time of your life. Remember: “Fail to prepare and prepare to fail.” So ON YOUR
MARKS…GET SET…GO!!!!!!!!!
Peace, Much Luv & God Bless,
Barbara Za’ Franks
R.Y.E. District 3350 – Thailand
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