Tuesday, July 1, 2008

English Camp, Farewell Party, and Return Home

On Saturday, we provided an English Camp for 120 students from the schools we have been working with. Our UTSA students paired up with each other to provide six fun activities which gave students practice in listening and speaking English. Everyone had a great time. The program ended with a song that still echoes in our heads -- "Goodbye my friends, Goodbye my friends, see you again someday." The stong was repeated for a good 20 mintues as our UTSA teachers stood at the front of the auditorium and each student coming through giving us handshakes and/or hugs. Many tears were flowing.

The good byes continued later in the evening with a fancy dinner at the resort hotel in Trang which for some odd reason is shaped like a ship. Joining us were many of the teachers, host families, and school directors. We presented certificates of thanks to each of them. We then gave the restaurant's Karoake singers the night off and took over the entertainment. The musical talent of our group members is quite impressive, as is the Karoake machine's repertoir of old American rock songs.

The hardest goodbyes were at the airport, with a large group of host family members and teachers showing up to say goodbye. Hundreds of photos, hugs, and tears later, were were on the plane heading to Bangkok. We got in early enough to do some last minute shopping and then left the hotel at 4:45 a.m. to come home. We happily did not encounter any problems in our travels.

A sense of excitement hit us as we landed in Dallas ("We're back in the U.S.!") and even more as we touched down in San Antonio at 7:05 p.m. ("We're home!").

As we were greeted by the dean, family members, and friends, students said their last goodbyes (and "see you laters") to each other.

It was a wonderful experience and it will take us several days to process all the amazing things we experienced in Thailand. We will forever remain in awe to our wonderful hosts, teachers, and students who did so much for us.

As students complete their final reflection papers, we plan to post selections here on the blog.