Sanita Bordeepong from Thailand

I'd like to nominate my daughter, Sanita Bordeepong as the Ayusa Star of the Month.  Sanita, or "GiNG" as we know her, joined our family in August for her academic year in America.  There are so many things that make GiNG special and it's hard to describe how much she means to our family.  GiNG came to the United States with an open mind, an open heart and a genuine desire to succeed.  In her first six months of the program, she has embraced the American culture, maintained straight A's in each of her classes and established herself as a mature and responsible teenager.

 We have been most impressed by GiNG's warm heart and willingness to help others.  On her flight to America in August, GiNG helped another exchange student locate a lost passport at the airport in Tokyo.  She has also made time on several occasions to lend an ear and offer advice to friends from both Ayusa and other programs who are experiencing home sickness or difficulties with their host families. GiNG consistently displays a positive attitude and openly communicates any concerns that arise.
 
GiNG has also experienced great success at school and is well known and liked by both students and faculty.  For International Education Week, she prepared an extensive presentation on her home country of Thailand which focused not only on the important features of the country, but also life as a teenager in Thailand - from school uniforms to favorite hang out spots.
 
We hope this year abroad will teach GiNG more about herself as a person and help her to develop the skills she needs for a successful future.  Having GiNG as a member of our family has been one of the greatest experiences of our lives and has created memories that we hope will last forever.
 
Brent & Apisara Houltram
Schaumburg, IL