The four 2010 SAILers – Akarath, Toby, Ryan and Phouthasack have started their classes as the first week during Tuesday 15th to Friday 18th of June. I first met with them when they arrived at the Vientiane International Airport (Wattay airport) on Monday evening (14th) this week.

In the following morning – Tuesday 15th, the group started with an orientation for two hours regarding the Lao-American College area and facilities, school staff, teachers and several volunteer students at the college. I also attended this meeting. Ms. Ginny gave a warm welcome and nice talk with us. And there was a session for small group conversation in which 2 or 3 people talking about each other’s background and interests.

From that day afternoon, the SAILers began to have their classes on Lao language, Lao history and culture. The subjects are taught by 3 teachers from the Faculty of Letters and Mass Media of the National University of Laos(NUOL). Achaan Hommala and Bounmy for Lao laguage and Achaan Bounleuth for Lao history and culture. So far they have learned Lao language for 8 hours and history/ culture for 3 hours only. Any how, it seems that all of them has improved their Lao language – Akarath and Toby are more fluent in speaking, and Phouthasack and Ryan speak Lao faster and clear pronunciation. Young students brilliant and quick-learners!

Yesterday, I took them downtown for sight-seeing tour in Vientiane. They have visited Thatluang Stupa, Ho Prakeo Museum, Wat Simeuang  and the Morning market. I think there are still other points of interest in Vientiane area for them to visit, especially the traces of Lao ancient history. And those will be taken as the supplemented visits to the history lessons, according to Achaan Bounleuth – their history and culture teacher.