ACES is proud to announce October, 2015 Student of the Month—Napatsorn (New) from Thailand! As New’s coordinator describes, New “exemplifies many qualities that make up an amazing exchange student: she gets good grades, she is helpful, friendly, outgoing and kind. But, what sets New apart from other exchange students is her attitude.”
New has been a source of happiness to those around her since she arrived to Redding, California, largely because she chooses each day to be positive and thankful, and to look for the good in every situation. When asked by her coordinator if she has experienced adjustment difficulties in America, New responded “of course there have been differences and things I wasn’t used to in Thailand but I keep looking for the good in everything and am so grateful for it all. I came here for a cultural exchange and that is what I am experiencing.” New also added that she loves her host family and is thankful that they chose to share their lives and home with her.
Because of her positivity, New’s host mom says that New “sees only the good in people. She is always willing to lend a hand, [and] likes to help with the cooking and cleaning.” New’s perspective has helped her become an active part of her host family. She especially embraces the role of a sibling, spending quality time joking and engaging with all of her host siblings. New spends much of her time with the younger sister Paige, who has severe lobar holoprosencephaly, cerebral palsy, and selective mutism. Even though New has no experience with children with special needs, her host mom notes, “when New got off the plane, Paige grabbed her hand and has been her shadow ever since. When she’s home they are pretty inseparable.”
We applaud New for consistently choosing a positive approach to life, and by extension bringing positivity and love to others. Keep it up, New; thanks, and congratulations!