Embassy Activities (2009)
Southern High-Schoolers Get Spellbound at Thai-American Cultural Camp
Riding on the success of the first English Camp in Mahasarakham last month, staff from the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and English Language Fellow Fidelia “Fuang” Twenge-Jinings traveled to Trang on May 3-5, 2009 to host a fun-filled activity camp for local high school students and teachers from ten high schools in the South. The “Get to Know Uncle Sam” two-day English camp provided a rare opportunity for the more than 30 participating students and teachers to engage in various interactive, educational activities aimed at promoting understanding of the English language, as well as U.S. society and culture.
Assisted by staff from the Cultural Affairs Office and Information Resource Center (IRC) of the U.S. Embassy, Ms. Twenge-Jinings skillfully guided the students and teachers through fun and informative English language exercises and activities, including singing of the U.S. national anthem and screening of the documentary “Spellbound,” which was followed by a round of interesting and active discussion on the film. Also during the camp, AFS-YES Youth Exchange Scholarship student Pairoh Kokyai and Education USA specialist Preeyawan Sakornyen gave insight into study in the United States and student exchange programs. Excited participants also played games, watched videos, and learned how to cook (and eat!) true American BBQ, completed with chips and watermelon. The meal would not have been complete without participants enjoying a longstanding American camp tradition, s’Mores! Rounding out the fun was an information search session provided by the talented IRC staff that had participants discovering how to search for reliable, accurate information about the United States on the Internet. Highlight of the camp was no doubt a hard-fought “Spelling Bee” competition, in which the students amazed the trainers with their exceptional spelling talent. A great time was had by all!
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