Brewster Academy is priviledged and delighted to provide a specialized academic program for Thailand's top high school graduates each summer. These brilliant and joyous students provide a bright, energetic and ethusiastically noisy complement to our other programs. They come to us fully supported by the government of Thailand for the purpose of learning English (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and how to understand and adapt to American culture, especially the culture of the classroom in this country. They also learn to use computers and IT in support of education and they learn all about the college entrance process, including preparing for the TOEFL and SAT exams and learning how to write their all-important college entrance essay.

The Royal Thai Scholars Program is unique in all the world

Only Thailand has a government-supported program that sends high school graduates abroad to study through their PhDs to bring back innovative ideas to aid in the technological and economic development of their country. Imagine how courageous these teenagers must be to travel 10,000 miles away from their homes, their parents, their food, their language, their friends, and all that has been familiar to them to study and compete with America's best and brightest in boarding schools, universities, and graduate programs for the next 10 years. That, plus they have agreed to repay Thailand with two years of work for every one year of support they receive while abroad. Most will be 48 years old before they have discharged their final responsibilities. Remarkable!

We are seeking families who would be willing to host one or two of these students for a weekend this summer.

The goal of the host family program is to simply give the students the opportunity to experience the dynamics and culture of American family life. Understanding the way in which Americans live, laugh, and pursue their family routines will give these young men and women a deeper appreciation of the values that inform our culture. They are great kids — polite, disciplined, anxious to learn, and looking for opportunities to speak English. The only problem might be that the family could develop a friendship for life.

Comments from past host families:

"The best part was the two dinners that Tee, Au, and Best prepared for us. They seemed excited that we enjoyed Thai food." (All Thai scholars have nick neames from birth)

"We had a wonderful time with our Thai students. They spent an entire day on the boat with us. That was an adventure for them. They cooked for us that evening."

"The best part was Petch and Zhon's joy and appreciation for every little thing we did. We got more thank yous and love in such a short time. They were the hilight of our summer."