I was immediately thrown into classes when I arrived in Thailand mid July. Now, seven and a half months later, the school year has come to an end. To reflect on my time in the Thai public education system, I have comprised a chart comparing Thai school with school in the U.S.

Major differences with schooling inThailand:

–School is called “Matthayom”

-Consists of six grade levels

-Takes place from 8 am- 4 pm

-Morning assembly, Thai National Anthem, Buddhist prayers, King’s song

-Uniform (no nail polish, no hair dye)

-Take off shoes in school

-Students are categorized into classes every couple of years with an academic test

-Students study subjects based on what class they are in

-Class schedule is the same for everyone in the class

-Same people in every class

-Students have a different schedule for each day of the week

-No passing periods

-Students study biology, physics, and chemistry every year

-Grades are given out of 1, 2, 3, 4

-Everyone buys lunch and sometimes breakfast at school

-No school dances

-Very few school sports

-Teachers often show up to class late or not at all, no substitute teachers

-School from mid May to the end of September, break for the month of October, resume school from November to the end of February, break again from March till mid May

And just like that, the academic part of my junior year is done. I am looking forward to my long summer coming up. But does that make me a senior…? It feels like just yesterday I was an underclassmen; I don’t feel like I should be at the top of the food chain just yet.