Dear Summer Search,

What would happen if an emerging teenage boy was sent on a 6 week trip to a foreign country? That was the big the question running through my head. At 3 days away from being airborne to Thailand, a country that had cultures worlds apart from what I call “Home” was just beginning to shock me. After countless hours spent on the internet researching Thailand, my fears of leaving home began to add up.

As for me, living in San Francisco my entire life, this would be completely out of the norm. My life was surrounded by the American Culture, and I experience it everyday. Going to school in the urban community, watching Hollywood movies, listening to hip hop, and surfing the web made me just that. I live with my two parents that were both born in Asia and moved to America. So in a small sense, I am supposed to already have a taste of Asia’s culture? I think not. But as the days until my departure began to count down I wish that wasn’t true.

Whoa; that was the word that explained the feeling of seeing my new home for the very first time. Tons of unimaginable questions began to travel through my mind, how does the family cook their meals without a microwave? Where would I go to do the laundry, what sort of people would I do a Wai to? And how come there isn’t a seatbelt in the backseat? All of these questions seemed to never end. It felt as if I was born just yesterday and that made me scared to do anything.

At a classroom in a High School

As days began to pass, I quickly gathered the numerous differences and similarities that were in the culture. Along with simple observation, I was able to gain a broad spectacle that existed in their way of life. This made it easy for me to become accustomed to the Thai culture. After the initial period of living in Thailand, it wasn’t so bad after all. I found out that the people there loved me and wanted to learn more about where I was from. This naturally rose up many conversations with people of all sorts, from Teachers and Family to the students all around my community.

Before I knew it, I thought to myself, “Man, I LOVE Thailand”. Realizing this about 4 weeks into my trip made me happy. This trip I had with AFS was the best experience of my life; the chances I got explore, discover, and learn so much was just astonishing. The family who I stayed with there was just like my real parents, they cared and loved me just as much I was their own son. I had this strong connection with all the Thai people that I met on my trip. Not only did it seem like I was important to them but that me being there was bringing excitement into their everyday life. To put my experience into a short sentence, I was loved by the people and I loved all about my trip.

Making a presentation at School

So when I came back, I had a new feeling coming through. This feeling of having different perspectives had come to me. No longer did I ignore about the people in the outside world but instead caring more about them. The experience has grown me to become aware of myself and also on everyday issues, both inside and outside the classroom. At 3 days before my trip I would have never thought like what I did today, the ignorance I lost is just the beginning.

I would like to end this with a BIG Thank you, unfortunately since this is my second trip it would mean no more trips! But I am already so thankful for the chances you have given me to spend my last two summers in places where most teens would have never thought of. The opportunity you have opened up for me to see the beauty of life, nature and society is a dream. Summer Search, you guys are my superheroes. Without you I don’t know where I would have been at.

Having a group meeting

Dear Summer Search,

Thank you for the lifetime experience that you have given me this summer. Just thinking about the last thirty days itself has been just amazing. I wouldn’t know where I would still be right now if it wasn’t for you all. I was always that kid in the school, Just the “average” student at school trying to get good grades to please my parents. But other than the ordinary bubble that every high school students goes through, Summer Search got me a change. They gave me a chance, an opportunity to experience what less than one percent has ever been through their entire lives.

Backpacking through the rocky moutains

Before I gotten onto this trip I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know how to put on a 53 pound backpack on my shoulders without tipping my whole balance off or even how to safely cross a river. Those things may sound simple at first but when I got to go through an entire expedition not knowing the basics; it definitely became a challenge at start. After the end of the trip I was able to travel independently for 4 nights with my group of friends. That’s right, no instructors. The trip was intense; being in NOLS was definitely the key there. We traveled 130 miles through rough terrain, hiking up thousands of feet in elevation, traveling pass lighting storms, severe hailstorms, freezing cold temperatures, large river crossings and boulder fields. And if all that wasn’t enough there was always the midnight wakeups from death loud sound of thunder through your tent.

The whole Summer Search program was a great start through my sophomore year. I was glad to have two super helpful mentors, Sara and Julia. They were there for me every week to talk about everything, from my personal family issues to my school grades; they also never let me forget about working out before my big trip. Being able to share my life with people are complete strangers in the beginning was scary, I thought that maybe I wasn’t good enough for them. I eventually learned that just being open about myself got me a better connection with my mentors.

After 30 days of no shower

Here I am today, just two days after my trip and feeling like a new person. I left my world for 30 days and I came backing seeing new things in my life. I saw how much simple material possessions are not necessary as they seem to be, I was able to live my life for an entire month without needing anything other than what was on my back. Knowing how to travel independently without the support of trained pros was one of my accomplishments. My NOLS course gave me the full understanding of becoming a leader, being self aware of myself, having strong communication in the field and also to decide on quick fundamental decisions was just few of the new me that I have picked up along the trip. After all this, I feel thankful for Summer Search for giving me the best gift ever, a life changing experience that anyone could possibly wish for. I still stand here thinking about what great ethics can be done in this world and having my mind open to those thoughts will always be a part of me.