Wow! Can’t believe it’s already a new year! And, I’ve already spent 5 months in Thailand!

Week 1: December 15-20

I only had one day of school this week due to testing for the seniors, and another sports day for the entire province. All the schools in Phrae competed against each other. I didn’t get to participate in it, but it was fun to see. On Thursday, I got to explore Sukhothai, a town from the 13th century, with Brian’s family. We biked around the sites of ancient temples, taking in their massive size and age. It was the spiritual capital of Northern Thailand and attributed to creating today’s Thai culture.

Week 2: December 21-27

This week, I didn’t have school because it was exam week. Luckily, Exchange students don’t have to take midterms 😉

On Monday night , I attended a rotary meeting, and talked in Thai about my experience in Thailand, so far. I was very happy because I was able to talk all in Thai for 5 minutes about these past 4 months, and my favorite things in Phrae/ Thailand. On Tuesday, my host family did each other’s nails for Christmas. I also got to try the best matcha in Phrae! It was so fresh and delicious because it’s imported from Japan.

Christmas was so much fun! My host family had a big party with all of their aunts and uncles. Everybody in the family made a dish. I cooked sausage and cheese balls and garlic bread. Some of the other dishes were: salmon sashimi, Thai chicken wings, grilled pork with eggplant, sesame salmon salad, crackers with salmon and an avocado sauce, and chicken nuggets with fries for the kids. For dessert we ate Bua Loy, which is glutinous rice balls cooked in a coconut milk broth, and served with taro and boiled bananas. They made the rice balls into Christmas trees! We also did a white elephant gift exchange. I brought a matcha set, and ended up with a neck fan. It will be perfect for school because there’s no AC.

Week 3: December 29 – January 3

I had school on Monday and Tuesday, and then had the rest of the week off. For New Years Eve, I went to Brian’s house with Marie, and our friend Claire ( French rotary exchange student that’s in a city 2 hours away). Brian’s host family cooked lots of food including: pork steak, mushroom gravy, ribs, mashed potatoes, sashimi, salad, and fried cheese balls. It was really funny to see the difference in the quality of ribs from Texas to Thailand, there wasn’t much meat on the bones here haha. They also eat ribs with plastic gloves, which is kinda genius to keep clean hands.

At 11 pm, we went to 7/11 to get snacks for midnight. We all tried the viral chocolate lava cakes, which are delicious! We also were on the hunt to find grapes to eat under the table. In Latin America, they eat 12 grapes at midnight for good luck. We didn’t find grapes, but they had frozen grape flavored ice balls that we used. Hopefully, the good luck comes true!

It was really exciting to experience the Asian superstitions for New Years! My host mom and I visited the famous temple of Phrae, Wat Pra That Cho Hae, for more good luck. We also ate noodles that symbolize a long, healthy life and wanton soup, which resembles the old Thai money and brings prosperity. Thailand also follows the Buddhist calendar, which is 543 years ahead of western calendars. So, we are now in 2569. In April, we will get to celebrate Thai new year, called Songkran!

Looking back on these past few weeks, I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve gotten to experience: ancient temples, new traditions, and moments that made Thailand feel even more like home.

As 2026 (or 2569!) begins, I feel excited, hopeful, and ready for whatever the rest of this exchange year brings. If the start of the year is any indication, it’s going to be filled with growth, laughter, and plenty more unforgettable memories. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Until the next adventure,

Emma Kate