Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday exchange students, Turi Abbott update seven months in Thailand

Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday outbound exchange students and Gig Harbor High School student gives us an update on her Rotary Exchange Student experience:

I have lived in Thailand for seven months. Writing this doesn’t even feel real. It still hasn’t even set in. How am I supposed to describe these past months of my exchange? Well, I could tell you the things every exchange student would say; this year has been the best year of my life, it’s been unforgettable, too short and life-changing. These things are all true but they don’t necessarily describe what I’ve been through and what I’ve accomplished on exchange. So I guess my exchange has been indescribable. But I’m going to try to explain at least some of it.

Well, I’m proud to say that I’ve met a lot of people from many countries. Many of which are exchange students, but some I just meet on the street. Yes, I do know not to talk to strangers but when you are walking down the street and haven’t seen a non-Thai person in a month, you go up and talk to them. At the beginning of the year, I would’ve been afraid to walk up and talk to somebody or try new and scary things, but now, I literally don’t have any fears. I’ve tried new foods like bugs, baby squid, different types of fish, parts of duck, and I accidentally tried pigs’ blood once. I’ve pet tigers, ridden elephants and seen spiders the size of my face. You can say that it’s been an exotic year.

But I think what I’m proud of the most is that I can say that I found myself this year. Living in a new culture and society gives one an opportunity to figure out what one’s character is and I subconsciously took that opportunity, and I’m glad I did. I know that I’m braver, stronger and more confident than I could have ever imagined.

It’s been seven months and I just can’t believe that I only have four months left in Thailand; actually it kills me that I don’t have more time! There are so many more places I want to see and things to do! How about Rotary does a two year exchange?