A foreign exchange student named Arisara Saemsompong came to our school in early March from Thailand. Her nickname is Ploy, which means “diamond” in Thai. During her time in Georgia, she’s lived with a host family who happens to be friends with LHS native, Callie Bolemon. We interviewed Ploy and were able to talk with her about her time in Georgia and her home back in Thailand. In Thailand, Ploy lives with her mother, grandmother, and grandfather, along with two dogs and a cat. In her spare time, she likes reading English novels, cooking with her grandma, watching movies, and swimming. As of right now, she knows three languages: Thai, English, and a bit of Chinese. She told us that Thailand and Georgia are very different from each other. In the northern part of Thailand, elephants can be seen while on tours. Thailand has beautiful gardens and amazing nature, especially during its spring and summer months. Thailand is going through their summer right now so it is very sunny and hot. Ploy said she’s had to adapt to Georgia by wearing warmer clothes and being aware of her allergies since it is spring in Georgia. Although she doesn’t enjoy the cold weather, she enjoys being here and seeing all the nature and people. She explained that the schools in Georgia are nothing like the schools in Thailand. She noted, “In Thailand, my school is an all-girl school, so there are no boys, and there are a lot of strict, straight rules. We have to wear school uniforms, but here I can wear anything I want. Loganville High School has different classes than my school in Thailand, like cooking and cosmetics [cosmetology]. I like that the school is independent. It’s not strict like my school. I love when I walk into class here, and the teachers let the students talk to each other.” She says her favorite class at LHS is Spanish because she likes learning new languages. Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Sargent because she is very sweet to her. When asked why she chose to do the Foreign Exchange Program, she said, “Oh, gosh. I think that this experience, this chance I have, will teach me a lot of things that I can’t get [in Thailand]. It will give me some experiences that I can’t get at home. It improves my English skills. I can use my English skills I get from here when I go back to Thailand. I think when I come here, it makes me feel or be more grown-up.” Ploy went back home to Thailand on April 9th. She noted that although she does like Thailand, she wished she didn’t have to leave Georgia. She loved Georgia and loved being here in Loganville because of all the nature and the nice people.