Sam Says Goodbye to U.S.A.

“Americans are very, very nice,” says Sam as she prepares to leave her host families to return home to Thailand.

The 17-year-old learned a lot about Americans during her nearly year-long stay in Wyckoff.  Sam, whose real name is Pornnapat, lived with three host families while attending Ramapo High School for her junior year. 

“When I first came, my English was very, very bad,” she said.  “I felt sorry for my host family because we did not understand each other at all. But Dottie, my host mother, was very patient and very kind. She listened to me and tried to help whenever she could.”

Sam lived with the Vanderhorn Family for the first three months of the school year.  Parents Neil and Dorothy (owner of Wyckoff Florist) and children Justin and Rebecca and extended family gave a warm welcome to the shy student, who often struggled in classes that were language intensive.  The Vanderhorns helped her with homework and shared in a large gathering, Sam’s first Thanksgiving.

Ramapo High School Music Director Jacqueline Sarracco and Jazz Band Instructor Mark Epstein took Sam under their wing, exchanging her traditional wooden flute for a  brass flute to play in the school’s concert band where Sam’s talents began to shine.  She learned quickly, became an important member of the band, and in making friends through music, began to assimilate more easily into American high school life.

Sam moved next to the home of Wyckoff/Midland Park Rotary President John Adams, wife Josie and children Ethan, Abby, Sarah and Grandmother Ovaline.  She had fun carving pumpkins at Halloween and particularly enjoyed the candy from Trick or Treating.  It was during her winter stay that she experienced her first taste of snow (literally).  Sam went winter hiking and skiing with the Adam’s family and built her first snowman, which the family agreed was a work of art.

“She is a natural skier, “said Josie, whose comfort level is on the “Bunny Hill.”  “I taught her how to stop and turn and before I could say “shush”, she zoomed past me to the double black diamond trails with the other children!”

As outdoor enthusiasts, the Adams family spent much time on the slopes in Vermont as well as hiking in any temperature at area reserves.  Sam, whose native Thailand is quite warm, really came to love winter, finding beauty in the snow, and was especially happy on snow days home from school.  Like any other American student, Sam enjoyed a day off to sleep in or to play video games and watch movies with no homework.

Next she went to the Rutler Family where she spent time with Olivia, her sister Lily, brother Tim,  Mason and Jennifer.  They visited newlywed brother Mike and his wife Sarah in Washington, D.C., where they spent the afternoon walking around the Great Mall, seeing the Capital and spending time at the United States Botanical Garden.  Sam sent pictures home to her Mom, who loves gardening.

During Sam’s stay with the Rutler Family, she learned how to paint in watercolor and worked on difficult drawings for homework in school.  She also attended many orchestral concerts with Olivia as well as a concert at the NJPAC featuring Yo Yo Mah and The Silk Road.  Sam road the school bus with Liv, went to all girl sleepovers and was surprised with a Birthday Party at the beach in Barnegat Light. Three months in the life of a typical American Teenager.

Sam excelled in Music and Art and towards the end of her stay became quite proficient at English, opening up a whole new world for all who knew her.

In April, Sam attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp in Pennsylvania for a full week of activities that involved physical challenges, trust exercises and team building strategies.  Sam made learned a lot about the philosophy of Rotary International, including about the many programs such as Shelterbox, Gift of Life and Educational Scholarships offered to youth to improve the quality of life around the world.  Sam found her experiences at RYLA life-changing, gaining skills that she will use in future endeavors in Thailand. 

The mission of Rotary is not only to save lives by eradicating diseases such as Polio, but to improve relations around the globe through students in their Essex Exchange Program.  Rotary International also sponsors children from other countries who need life-saving heart surgery, matching them with host families in our area for their six to eight week stay.  The Rotary Shelterbox Program provides temporary housing and emergency medical, food and water supplies to families in disaster areas such as Haiti and Japan.  Rotary Clubs also sponsor students through generous scholarships made possible by major fundraising traditions such as the recent Triathalon.  Sam and Olivia ran a water stop during the race along with other members of the high school music department.

There were many goodbye parties held to celebrate Sam’s visit to the United States: several pool parties as well as recognition by the Ramapo Music Department during the Spring Concerts and at the recent end of the year Music Awards Dinner.  Sam is returning home with many souveniers from her stay such as Band t-shirts, framed photographs, art supplies, and pins that she collects on a special jacket.  Sam’s favorite gift was a shiny new flute, given to her by an anonymous donor in honor of Sam’s talent and hard work as a student from another land.

Many tears were shed by Sam and her many new friends, who hate to see her go. 

“I wish I could stay a little longer with all of these wonderful families and friends,” said Sam wistfully of her stay.  “I learned so much about America that I will never forget.  The people are so kind and full of love.”

Sam intends to return home to study music and art, two passions discovered during her visit.  She is also planning on helping with her family’s business, expressing the desire to give her parents “a rest.”  As the youngest of three daughters she has discovered a talent for business as well and plans on becoming a Rotarian to do good things with her life to help others have the same wonderful experiences she had as an exchange student.