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Woravat Fungtragool

Anchalee / Ekawich / Ketthip / Maneekan / Pavinee / Rassadan / Tanchanon / Top

My name is Woravat Fungtragool. Most people call me "Top". In America, people think my name is cool [They said it sounds like robot or something] lol. I was an exchange student with AYC organization.

    Why did I decide to come to America? Well, when I was 12 years old, I saw a poster showing a lot of organizations for exchange student programs, and that poster inspired me to be one of the exchange students, but I could not because of my age. It only allowed 16-18[I think] to join. I told my mom and she said like.. "lol. wait 'till you grow up" or something. therefore, I decided to go to America after I was 15...[before I was an exchange student].

    I just didn't care whether I passed or not, but I did pass the test and become on of the exchange students of AYC.

    To come to America I had to catch so many flights. One of the airports in America was so weird, It's called "Minneapolis" [I guess]. It was horrible, I almost missed the flight because I didn't know where to go...I mean I have to find a train which links to the other airport. I ran all over the airport...asked so many people...looked all over the building finding a flight directory board [i don't know what it's called. lol.] and finally I found the way to go to the airplane.

    After I went to America, I had no idea who my host family was, who will pick me up, where am I going to live and etc. So .. after I got off of the last airplane, I waited for someone to come to pick me up,and after 10 minutes there was no body. Eventually I gave a call to my LC [I don't know what it stands for] and she said her husband is on the way to the airport. Then I waited for him until he arrived. After I stepped out of the airport in my mind I was thinking "Wow, the road is obviously huge" he then told me I have to stay the night in his house and then they will drive me to my host family. After I arrived at his house I took a shower and went to bed. After I woke up in the morning I went for another shower and then my LC said "What, you are going for another shower already?". And then I was thinking "What the heck, aren't you supposed to have 2 showers a day?" and that's the first thing I learned in America.

     After I finished eating breakfast, they brought me to my Host family's house in Port Charlotte, FL. They have 3 people in this house including Host dad, Host mom and David [sometimes I call him "Dave"]. They are kind.

     David showed me his video games, something that I am terrible at [that's why I like PC games better, lol]. I know he went easy on me that day.

     School. I was in 10^th grade and studied in Lemon Bay high school [LBHS]. I joined Culture club [The best club ever!!!]. So many foreign people in that club and I loved it. I had a problem with not starting the conversation [I don't know why], not giving a hug [which it feels weird sometime]. I had a few friends but they are all good.

     I broke my ankle once when I tried to jump over the fence and I had to stop playing sports for a while. I gained so much weight not playing sports and that's the first time I got in a wheel chair. My host brother, David wheeled me to my next class so I wouldn't have to miss class.

     I went to the Disney World in Florida, The biggest Disney World in the world!!! I had a good time.

     There is another person in my host family but he is married. He is a very nice guy. He taught me how to fish. I caught 2 snooks but they got away. I caught so many catfish and then my host brothers told me how nasty they are [I don't wanna talk about it].

     I went to so many malls here and they sell so much stuff here, it's pretty expensive. Like the gift I bought for my friends, it's like 5000 Baht. Even a pencil cost more than 25 baht and I have to buy like 50 of them, pretty much sucks doesn't it? [Ron Jon Surf Shop]. So expensive.

     And lastly, I had a good time living in United States. I really did and I appreciated them all. It's such an honor to know them.