Student Spotlight: Destiny Mayfield in Thailand

What is the relationship to food that the people in your host country have? When do they eat? What kinds of foods and ingredients do they eat? Are meals usually with a group or alone? Are there any traditions or customs surrounding food that aid digestion?

“Thai people love spicy food! The portion sizes are smaller here, so you can eat more food throughout the day whenever you get hungry. Most food and ingredients are fresh, and they eat lots of chili’s, noodles, rice, pork, and chicken. Meals are usually in a group, and I have not seen any traditions or customs that aid in digestion.”

What does daily movement look like in your host country? Do people mainly drive cars or use public transportation? Do they walk or bike? Do you see people exercising? Are exercise facilities available and accessible?

“Daily movement includes walking, riding motorcycles, and riding in taxis. I have observed that more elderly people seem to use public transportation to get around, and younger people tend to use cars, taxis, or motorcycles. A large amount of people walk or use motorcycles instead of biking. I do see people running or going to the gym, and exercise facilities are available and accessible.”

Is there a cadence or rest in your host country? Do people generally go home or start their work or school at a certain hour? Do they have periods of rest during the day? Is there urgency or relaxedness in your host culture?

“It does not seem that there is a cadence or rest among Thai people. Everybody starts and ends their days at different times, and some people stay out as late as 12:00-1:00 a.m! It does seem that people are more relaxed on Sunday, but my host culture is definitely more relaxed in comparison to the culture of the United States.”