Caroline Craver

2012-13 Outbound to Thailand

Hometown: Maitland, FL

School: Winter Park High School

Sponsor: District 6980, FL

Host: District TBA, Thailand

Caroline's Bio

Sa wat dee! Hello! Two days ago I attended a dinner with eighteen other anxiously excited Floridians. This dinner would determine where our lives would branch out and how each of us would grow. I learned my life is branching out to the south eastern country of Thailand for the upcoming exchange in 2012-2013!! The most advice I’ve heard up to this point is that this coming year will be the hardest I’ll ever experience. I’ve been reminded of the homesickness, the culture barrier, and the struggles faced day to day. I’ve been trying to listen, really, but my mind can’t focus on anything but the experience and the growth of character I’ll be gaining in Thailand. I’m SOOO excited!!!! My name is Caroline Craver. I’m 18 years old, a senior at Winter Park High School, and I’m short, outgoing, caring, and enthusiastic about my future home. My mother and father have separated and this led to a new step dad, step sister, and step brother. Those three were added to my younger sister who is a sophomore at Winter Park and my older brother who is a Florida State Seminole studying to be a chemical engineer. I myself am looking at majoring in International Studies and Business with a minor in Linguistics. In school I’m involved in five Advanced Placement classes and I have taken ten over the course of my high school career. I was involved with my choir for three years. I take part in the National Honor Society as well. In school I really enjoy my government class because we talk about what’s current in the world and in our government. The class gives me a sense of knowledge about how our government works. Outside of school I hang out with my friends as much as possible, and my boyfriend and I spend a lot of time together. Music is one of my passions. I love singing and occasionally it gets under the skin of many of my friends. I am a good singer, however I don’t necessarily sing well all the time… I love exercising and eating right, reading, and being a “young’in”.

The day Scott Kroggman came into my AP English Literature class I knew I had to be an exchange student. I’ve had a fascination with countries and culture since my trip to Italy. Becoming an exchange student is something I feel will open my eyes and allow me to see the world through another’s. It will give me confidence yet humble me. It will invigorate me yet scare me. It will hinder yet prepare me for the world I really live in and the ideas that truly matter. Being an exchange student is more than just the exchange; it’s the experience and knowledge that the student gains and brings back to share with others: a continuous cycle that will spread and influence others. I want to be the chain reaction that starts the cycle. I want to share my experience with others and show them what lies beyond the little box we enclose ourselves in. I want to come back a different person; same personality, just a better understanding of what goes on beyond our shores.

Finally, I’d love to thank everyone for this opportunity given to me. I want to thank Scott Kroggman for coming into my class that day, all of those who coordinate with RYE and are helping me to achieve this exchange, and most of all my loving parents who have been excited for me from day one. Thank you so much, this would not be possible without you.

Caroline- Outbound to Thailand