Chatchai Yachantha is a 16 year old Youth Delegate from Thailand.  This year he came to the United States as an exchange student.  He is currently studying at Evergreen Park Community High School. Since he loves solving misunderstandings and family problems, he hopes to be a psychiatrist some day.  While psychiatry is Chatchai's eventual goal, he joins us this week to talk about his experience of education in Thailand and the United States.

COMMENTS FROM CHATCHAI YACHANTHA

The Thai education system is based on Buddhist theories.  Buddhism has affected not only the education system, but Thailand's culture and traditions as well. 

In Thailand, we go to school from May 16th to early March with a month off in October. Every day during that time, we spend alot of time studying - sometimes up to 14 hours.  We even study on the weekend.  For most students, education in Thailand is very hard.

This year the Ministry of Education announced new requirements for students who want to get into college. Now, we not only have to get good grades during high school, but we also have to pass test in all our basic subjects like science, math and religion.  Our religion studies cover Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, and Muslim traditions. 

My American high school is very different.  In America, there are a lot of free study times.  And physical education takes place during school, not after or before like Thailand.  American students can wear whatever they want, but in Thailand we have to wear uniforms.  And the hair styles!  All Thai boys have crew cuts.

I think school in America is more comfortable and more flexible than in Thailand.

What is your experience in school?  Are American schools like Chatchai describes them?