Biggest adjustment for Thais coming to U.S.

[What's next 1]

She's going to have to get used to you on the couch all weekend watching football.

[patricks 0]

Matt,

Anh works on Wall Street, oh my.........Watch out! for those investment bankers, they're an interesting bunch :-(

You're definitely not in North Carolina "Kansas" anymore......good luck in NYC!

p

[David Allen 3]

I lived with and worked in Thailand for 3 years, so would like to think I have an idea of what the cultural differences are, but theory and practice are not always the same.

I anticipate (hell, I know) food is going to be a big factor for my Noi feeling good about her new life in America. She'll need Thai food, but she (and I) are happy to make it. I personally LOVE Thai food, ate it everyday while I lived there and miss it in the U.S. To prepare for Noi's arrival (Ok ... I JUST filed for K-1), I have figured out where to get all the ingredients she'll need to make her favorite Thai dishes.

Religion, I suspect, will be a little less important, though I think she'll want to go to temple now and then. So, I have found a few temples in the region and plan to drop in on them in the next few months.

She thinks she's prepared for the winter cold, but I know she's going to be shocked/surprised. Not much I can do about that other than a good-quality gortex parka.

Is there anything big here I might be missing?

I've been doing a lot of research on this, as my fiancee should hopefully be coming to California next February or March. There is a Thai Wat not too far from my home where I have been taking Thai lessons and making some friends and asking these same questions. They have all told me that food is the #1 thing they miss. We are lucky in that there are many asian supermarkets including some more specific Thai stores within a relatively short drive along with many restaurants.

In addition to the subscription TV services there are also Free to Air satellite systems that can be purchased for around $200. There are several Thai TV channels that are free and unscrambled and some that you can subscribe to. You can google Free to air satellite + Thai TV, and you'll find some decent vendors. www.sadoun.com looks like they have good deals. I was cautioned by my Thai teacher to NOT get the Thai TV for a while until she learned more English, but I will probably get it anyway to help me learn Thai.

Good luck!

David

[griz30 0]

Where are you living in Maryland?? My wife has been here about 4 months and its starting to get cold...I found a few websites for free thai tv, but she really doesn't want to watch too much Thai Tv, she rather watch TV here to help her learn english....I did find some free classes that the colleges are offering and she is doing well....The hardest thing for her has been the food...but there are few asian stores that she is happy with, and your right the temple thing is not a big deal for her. She calls her family once a wek and costs about about $2.00 on Pennytalk...pretty cheap..she talks for about an hour...biggest thing is once she is there you have too keep her busy..my wife is so happy to be working...make sure you get that EAD...NY POE was perfect..

[ThaitoUSA 15]

I was just talking with my fiancee in Thailand this morning. We are in the process of applying for the K-1. I asked, "What if you have a hard time adjusting here?" She replied, "I'll have no problem if you grow me those chili plants." Her father gave me about 200 Thai chili pepper seeds to grow here for when she comes. That was all I needed to hear. I'll be sure to have a garden-full for her.

[symbiosis 0]

I was just talking with my fiancee in Thailand this morning. We are in the process of applying for the K-1. I asked, "What if you have a hard time adjusting here?" She replied, "I'll have no problem if you grow me those chili plants." Her father gave me about 200 Thai chili pepper seeds to grow here for when she comes. That was all I needed to hear. I'll be sure to have a garden-full for her.

I already experimented this year. She's a farm girl, so she'll have the biggest garden I can manage here. Luckily, I love thai food almost as much as I love her!

[anya-D 8]

If she is still in Thailand, tell her to get "Kraprao" seeds. I grow Kraprao in early summer and I couldn't eat it fast enough.. and yes it is the real Kraprao.. not the Thai basil. It grows well in hot climate though.. so depends on where you are.

And here is the link that helps me a lot with Thai food. I love to cook but I cant think of what to eat each day so I go here for some ideas... it's a GREAT website dedicate to Thais who live abroad to be able to cook Thai food with substitute.

http://www.kruaklaibaan.com/forum/index.php

It's in Thai though

-Anya

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Thank you for the advice and website Anya.

ไม่เป็นไรครับ I can read Thai.

Unfortunately none of the pepper seeds are sprouting. We might need to have a plan B to get some more of those seeds.

[anya-D 8]

Thank you for the advice and website Anya.

ไม่เป็นไรครับ I can read Thai.

Unfortunately none of the pepper seeds are sprouting. We might need to have a plan B to get some more of those seeds.

lol - I have a green thumb - I can grow anything from seeds - also, at the Thai festival at the Thai temple, y ou might find some chili plant there - I bought just 2 and I had to give away most of my chili Buy Kaffir lime tree - if you can.

Here is my favoirite dish

http://www.kruaklaibaan.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1224

I love ห่อหมก and i was very happy to learn how easy to cook this dish - I cooked for several of my friends already and they loved it too (my husband loves it very much!)

[Jamie76 0]

Thank you for the advice and website Anya.

ไม่เป็นไรครับ I can read Thai.

Unfortunately none of the pepper seeds are sprouting. We might need to have a plan B to get some more of those seeds.

Pepper seeds take a long time to germinate. Sometimes up to 21 days. I start all mine indoors on a sponge like media. They also like the media temp around 80-85 F.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Just wanted to ask about people's experience with Thai spouses finding work in the US.

It seems like my fiancee may wait at least 3 months before she can legally work (taking into account she may not get the 90 temporary work permit).

She is an EFL (English language) teacher with seven years experience and a Master's degree. She would like to continue teaching, likely university, though we are also preparing for her to get her state certification as well.

Any stories, advice, etc. would be most welcome.

Pete