Star Student of the Month, September 2011

Theerapong (nicknamed “Boom”) from Thailand has been living in Nebraska with the Hestermann family for over a month now. His host family has been greatly impressed with his positive attitude, thoughtfulness and willingness to embrace the intercultural experience. He has been very active in making friends, getting to know people, and is very involved in school activities such as the Science Club and tennis team.

Boom’s contagious attitude was already evident when he attended an Open House prior to the start of school. He heard his name being shouted by a group of his new tennis teammates, whom he had met a short time before at a preseason tennis meeting. He had already made friends and school hadn’t even begun! Boom continues to make friends and is doing well in all of his classes.

He has also embraced the American experience at home with his host family. Boom’s family describes him as “respectful of the rules and an attentive listener who asks questions if he doesn’t understand.” He has been open to eating all American food, and recently ordered food from a drive through window for the first time ever. However, he was happy to get a bottle of chili sauce so he could add some much-missed spice to his meals.

His host mother shares a story about Boom’s support and flexibility during an uncomfortable time: 

"My dad fell and had to be moved to a nursing home care facility.  I needed to go to another town to check on both parents, so I explained to Boom he could stay home or come with me.  I was pretty clear about what it would be like—many older people who were not very mobile, etc.  He decided to come with me and we talked on the drive up about how difficult it was to have my parents get older and have medical problems.  He was great with my dad—he talked with him and pushed his wheelchair around.  He was also very patient while we completed some paperwork, and was in general friendly and respectful to the other patients and staff at the facility. Overall, I felt much better about the trip due to his support."

We thank you Boom for displaying such a can-do attitude!