Like everyone else, I can’t believe our trip is over. We had a tearful goodbye at the airport as 5 of the SAILers boarded a 7:30 AM flight for Thailand, where they will be met by two of the Center for Lao Studies’ advisory board members, Dr. Varisa and Dr. Somsonge, who have offered to show them around before they leave on the 9th. Although most of the group made it a late night in order to see their friends one last time (and some sacrificed a significant amount of sleep for it!), they were still met with friends early in the morning. Just to prove what an impact this group has had on people here! And I must say, the Lao never fail to give a proper goodbye — always giving gifts, fitting in a baci if possible, and making the effort to see people off at the airport. Among those saying goodbye to the SAILers was Amy and I, who will stay longer to enjoy a little more of the country.
The last week was filled with lots of activities. Both Lao classes had final tests, and I’m happy to say all SAILers did very well! On Thursday we had our official graduation with all our teachers, as well as Ginny, the co-director of LAC, were there to present certificates and transcripts to the SAILers. Achaan Bounmy commented that he had to scramble to create supplemental lessons for the beginning level class because they learned faster than he expected. Ginny encouraged the students to correct any misconceptions Americans have about Laos by sharing her virtues and peaceful atmosphere. Achaan Viengsavanh made special dishes for us — steamed fish in banana leaves and her famous fried ribs! We all brought food and shared memories of our 8-week journey.
Between buying scarves at Saoban handicrafts (which were woven by the villagers at our homestay), spending time with friends and relatives, and arranging a very successful farewell party for our LAC friends, complete with activities (such as seeing who could stuff the most Lao meatballs into one’s mouth) arranged by party-organizer extraordinaire Sandra, we also had time to have a last lunch together just with each other. I asked SAILers to comment on some of the highlights of the program, and Brandin claimed that seeing his relatives on a brief trip to Pakse was very special. Another SAILer commented that “just being in Laos” was a highlight, and that if the SAIL program hadn’t existed, they wouldn’t have come to Laos.
So my parting words as SAIL trip leader are that I believe the program reached its objectives of providing an experience for Lao-Americans and those interested in Lao culture to really engage with the Lao people (both in and out of school), experience both city and country life, learn about the country’s history and culture from both the Lao and expats living here, push themselves to adapt to ways of a life foreign to their own, (even when frustrating), and enjoy the Lao virtue of “mak muan” (having fun/enjoying life). It allowed an opportunity for the younger SAILers to have their first overseas experience where they could learn to be independent while learning about Lao culture at the same time, and opened doors to new relationships and family bonds for those who had felt something missing in their lives.
I’m so proud of this inaugural group for jumping right in and being so enthusiastic about experiencing all things Lao. They not only explored the culture on their own, but were amazing ambassadors for both the SAIL program and the U.S! Yaeng never hesitated to speak eloquently about the SAIL program whether in interviews, or at events, whenever asked. Vatsana’s intellectural curiosity allowed the group to probe deeper into the meaning behind Lao behaviors and customs. Sandra was a shining light who showed how fun-loving and generous Americans could be. Brandin’s experience here has led him to explore work opportunities with the State Department or U.S. Embassy, and I know he would be an amazingly culturally-sensitive representative. Amy was an example of how a “khon Amelika sot sot” (full-blooded American) could embrace the culture and language so whole-heartedly, always pushing those around her to only speak Lao! And Eileen, our youth representative, was never seen without a sinh, and completed the LAC uniform by buying an official school sinh! Cutural adaptation at its best!
What a wonderful group to kick-off this unique program. I hope they will continue to be spokespeople for the program, since I know their Lao tales and amazing insights will motivate those considering this program to participate next year! Thank you SAILers for an AMAZING 8 weeks. Thank your for making my job so easy and enjoyable, and enriching my second trip back to Laos.
