Outbound Updates-Group 3-Sam, Greg, Dan,Jennifer M

SAM SNELLER-The host club number I am without, the name is Club Amboro. I recieve my regular monthly stipend from Rotary the first thing of the month, $50, which is a ton of money here!... Haven't even spent the amount of money I've recieved so my funds are going up. I am with my first host family and have no intention to move, they are great. They are extremely Bolivian, Papa is a taxi driver from the jungle and Mama was raised in the city and works in ER at a children's hospital. I have a ton of extended family, lots of cousins and they all live closeby or across the street. I'm really part of the family here and am always doing things with them. I have no problems with them, ha jest that they sometimes talk to me so much in Spanish I get worn out! The host Rotary club is fine, kind of neglective but I think they are jest Bolivian. I do think they are one of the best to be hosted by although, because they jest approved all these trips I want to take! The club is pretty concerned about all the exchange students. The city is not very safe, as I've been robbed twice in the last 2 weeks and other exchange students have had worse things happen, and of course the country is close to the brink of civil war. Especially for the gringos, who are not supposed to be in Bolivia. The club has an evacuation plan for us incase we need to get out, but I don't honestly trust them to get us out... We'll see. I think all will be fine until the vote for the referendum of the constitution comes around in January. But it's not worth worrying about, cause' here in Bolivia you never know what will happen... Anyways, school is alright most of the time. School is really easy here and kids don't really do anything but talk all day. But colegio is about to end, November 7th, and then we have the longest summer, until mid February. Then I'll be entering University, taking one course a month to keep my student visa valid. I want to take a Guarani (native language here) class, then Cultura Boliviana, and then this Photography class. So I'm excited for that... Well not much is bothering me, sometimes it's a bit overwhelming to be in a large city in a 3rd world country but I'm diggin' it. Spanish is coming along really well, at 2 months I can pass for fluent (seriously, I've been mistaken) in some conversations, and when I arrived I knew nothing. I can understand everything that is said too. My host parents speak no English, so it helps a lot. I've made a lot of Bolivian friends as well. I've been having a good time... Learning to DJ with some friends I've made who have a record company and recording studio, playing drums for my cousins Punk band on occasion, and playing basketball for a University team here. Only problem would be about my visa, it's been extremely complicated here. Almost was imprisoned for having a "false and tampered" passport, my visa I came with was wrong, Bolivian government hates gringos, was going to Immigration for hours a day for a week or more, had to say I "lost" my passport adventually so I didn't get deported, now I'm waiting to get my new passport, then I will need to be brought over the Argentinian border, stay for a while and get a new visa, then come back to Bolivia with a new entry stamp for my "first" time entering, then keep going back to Immigration to get my visa for a year. Yeah, that's real short. But I don't really care anymore, you can't worry about things here because everything is jest so wild and everything goes! Jest go with what comes. I'm jest real excited for travelling throughout South America comin' up real soon! Well all goin' good here and gettin' better by the hour. Take it easy to all. Peace.-Sam Sneller
GREG LAMBERT-
Greetings to you all!
Now that most of you have been in your new “home country” for a while, I would like to touch base with you to see how you’re doing.
It is vital that we (District 6650 YE Committee) ensure your safety and happiness during this year, and the only way we can do this is, if we hear from you. Remember when we talked about those “quarterly reports” during the training sessions?
Several of you have been most diligent in adding me to your general update, or blog, sending e-mails, setting up a picture page, etc. Please know that this is very much appreciated. I’ve enjoyed reading about your “adventures.”
Even though I have heard from some of you, I would still like all of you to respond to the following questions.
What is your home situation like?
Do you have your own room; any siblings; how do you get along with your siblings and host parent/s?
Yes I have my own room. I have 2 brothers one is 17 and is currently on exchange in Illinois and the other is 12. I get along with my host parents great.
Have you changed homes or are you in the process of changing, etc?
No
What is your address?
Hanulova 38 Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia
How is your local Rotary helping your exchange?
Do you have frequent contact with your counselor; is he/she helpful; does he/shepick you up for meetings; how often do you attend; are you getting your stipend?
I haven't really talked to my cousenlor because of language problems he doesn't speak English and I dont know enoug Slovak to hold a conversation. No i usually walk to the meetings since they are only down the street from my house. I go every week and yeah i recieve the stipend.
Does your Rotary District provide an opportunity for you to get together with other exchange students to compare notes and to see that you are not alone in this exciting year of your life?
Yeah we have overnights but i was dissappointed to find out that we dont have as many as we do back home. We had one in september and our next is going to be in December.

How’s school going?
Are you making friends; learning the language; able to converse beyond the very basics?
Yes I have been making friends and learning the language. I can converse a little but my grammer is horrible.
Remember that the more language you learn and utilize, the more your true personality will emerge.

How’s your social life?
Are you involved in fun things with students other than other exchange students?
Yes i do a lot with my classmates.
How are you limiting your e-mail and phone contact with US friends and family?
All i really do is email my mom i havent called and i dont plan to.

If there is anything that “just doesn’t feel right,” please let me know and we’ll check it out.

Remember: It’s not better, it’s not worse; it’s just different.

If there is something you need from District 6650, please let me know?
Enjoy your great adventure!
Sieglinde and Larry
DAN SEGURA-Have you been receiving your monthly stipend? Are you with your first host family? If you have moved, please let me know why. Do you have any problems? How is your host Rotary club? Is the host Rotary District concerned about you? I'll assume you hate school, but let me know about anything else that bothers you. Tell me something cool to make me jealous, too. :)
I have not received a monthly stipend, because I have not yet met with my Host Club. My host mom told me that there were no meetings in September, and I missed the first one in October. I will be meeting with my counselor on the 30Th so that he can sign the forms. I am still with my first host family. I am having major problems with my situation. To spare you the details, unless you want my full account, I don't think that my time spent here is worth it. I am in an all boys christian school in a city of 20 million so it feels like i could be anywhere in the world. The Rotary is extremely strict and so are the host parents. I don't see my situation changing for the better, even when trying hard to be optimistic. I am in the process of figuring out a solution with my counselors, so I will keep you updated on my situation. :) I will tell you something cool that makes you jealous as soon as I experience it.

Thanks
DAN SEGURA, PART 2

Well I will begin with school, since the majority of my time is spent here. Through the course of my week I have few classes that are even close to rewarding. I have a Thai language class on Wednesday and Thursday. My teacher speaks little English, brings books points at photos and gives me the word. So far my list consists of fruits, animals, body parts, and some verbs. Recently she has given me worksheets that do help, but I do them on my own time and she checks. All things that I can do on my own. I talked to one of the English Program Teachers in my school and he thinks that this method of learning will take me nowhere. I also have a Thai flute class, a couple of drawing class with the 7th graders, and lots of PE. The rest of my schedule is filled with classes such as Biology, Physics, Math, Social Studies, etc all taught in Thai. I have tried to sit through these classes and listen to the language, but usually do not last. I either fall asleep from all the processing, or have to leave the room due to the volume. School here, at least high school, seems to be a joke. The students chant and jeer like soccer rivals and disregard the teachers amplified voice that is booming from the speaker in the back of the room. All this noise reverberates off the flat walls and is more than I can handle. Today I had plugs in and cupped my ears, but the volume was enough to irk me from the room for the remainder of the day. When I leave the room, and mostly every day I do, I struggle to find a quiet place and then settle down to read, draw, or sleep until the day is through. It may sound far fetched that a school could be so loud, but it is so. I cant even find refuge in the library! That is the school day. After the day ends, on average at 4, most of the students linger around or head off to their tutors. As far as having Thai friends, it is nearly impossible. For the most part they are mere acquaintances and that's where it ends. However, I have recently joined up with the soccer team so I get to hang out with the soccer players during transit time to matches and practice. Now that I am on the team my free time except for sunday is filled with practice and transportation time. When I wasnt playing soccer and still when i am not, the best option for enjoyment is to walk in circles around the malls, eat, watch movies or bowl. On occasion I can make it to the park, usually alone, and this has been my favorite part of the city thus far. When I do go out it is with the other exchange students, after the average of an hour of transit to meet in one place we usaully start with some ice cream or other food and then sit and wonder what we can get accomplished before our early curfews for most 6 or 7. More often than not our time is exhausted looking for plans so we end up wandering the streets or sitting and talking about our situations.
The Rotary here is the second major issue. They are extremely strict and keep a keen eye on all the students and parents through their tight gossip network, which often ends up as a game of "telephone" where all the facts are distorted. They are very strict on the travel issue as well. I had the opportunity to go to Chain Mai twice over my vacation but was denied both times. The first opportunity was with the Head Master at my school, granted she couldnt chaperone me every step of the trip once we got there. And the second was to go with my Thai friend from school and his family on a Universtiy Visit. I understand that they are liable for my saftey, but I also understand that it means I will only see a very narrow view of Thailand.
My host parents are very busy and I often feel that I am in their way. I think this is true, since the exchage is direct here. I rarely see my host father, which suits me well. I can tell he has a ditaste for me, and apparently the west in general. My host mom and sister speak very good english, and until the past few days have made no attempt to talk to me in Thai. If I leave the gated house it is only by my moms car. I have never left the house alone, and my mom has yet to attempt to show me how to get to the SkyTrain by bus despite the many times I have asked. So in turn if any weekday I wanted to sleep in past 7am over my vacation was a full day spent at home. I have spent many days secluded behind the iron gate of the house alone for the whole day. The only time I do see or talk to my Host mom or sister is during the car ride or brief dinner if it is at home. Then they go into their bedroom and watch tv. So i never see or talk with them much.
There are more details that I could file through but it is late for me now. The bottow line for me is that I want to truely experience Thailand. I will never achieve this being stuck in a city of 20 million in an all boys Chistian school with a curfew of 7oclock. I will not meet traditional Thai people, see the many regions, and learn of Buddhism. I feel like I am under house arrest, and feel like I am treated with the same reguard as an elementary student. Being in a city this magnitude, and especially this school could be about the same experience for me in any country of the world. As far as learning the language, what I do learn I learn on my own time. I do find it hard to muster the will power to push myseld hard to learn this extreme language, especially under the weight of my curcimstances.

Thats my bit, this is my two month account of RYE in Bangkok. I do appreciate all the effort and time put into the exchage program here. I dont mean to bash rotary, this is just my true though and situation.
JENNIFER MILLER-Emails still the same: jennmiller_oh@hotmail.comHost District Number is 4240Ive gotten my stipend but only every other month, 140 lucas.Still with my first family. I love them like my own. Especially my mom.Problems? only my own personal battle with eating all the bread in the world... its so good... ive gained like 2 kilos and im sure its just on big ball of migas in my belly. not good but whatever. I knew it would happen. se la vie.The Rotary here has called me to a meeting to give my presentation with my friend also here from rotary but whose from Minnesota. We talked about the US together then about our indivigual states. Other than that I have very little communication with them. They´re not incredibly responsive when I have questions for them. I usually have to ask my host dad to ask my conselor multiples times about things when he goes to rotary meetings.All in all. Life is Good.--Jenny(haha theres something for ya.. use to be a big pet peeve of mine being called Jenny. but here its what they prefered to call me and now its stuck. i dont mind so much.)