Education literally a journey for Brother Rice senior

• Reprints

Saddha Santanaporn, from Thailand, moved to Chicago's Beverly community to start school at Brother Rice as a freshman without his parents; they stayed in Thailand. He is living with his aunt and uncle. | Larry Ruehl~Sun-Times Media

Updated: January 27, 2012 8:00AM

Many people long to be home during the holidays, driving great distances or waiting in long lines at airports to get there.

But Saddha Santanaporn realizes he has to be away from home in order to get a good education.

Raised in Thailand, Santanaporn came to live in the United States with his aunt and uncle, Ananya and Timothy Spann, of Chicago’s Beverly community, when he started high school at Brother Rice.

“I had an opportunity to come here. My parents couldn’t afford to come, but I had an aunt living here and it was a good opportunity for me,” said Santanaporn, who returns to Thailand to visit his parents, Ajchara and Somchai Santanaporn, every summer. “It was my decision. I chose to come. I missed my parents a little at the beginning, but I wanted to do it for education and to learn the language.”

Santanaporn, 17, admits that when he moved here, he had a headache for the first week because of the English language.

“Everyone was throwing language at me and I wasn’t prepared,” he said.

Four years later, Santanaporn is doing well in his senior year. He regularly takes honors classes, including Advanced Placement English.

“It is not that difficult for me. We don’t really get that much homework, and the school day is shorter, so I have more free time for other activities,” he said.

Santanaporn has been a four-year member of the chess team and this year is proud to be the team captain.

“My dad taught me to play chess when I was 6,” he said. “I don’t have athletic talent, but I wanted to do some activities, so chess seemed like the best one for me.”

Last year, he played second board and placed seventh in the Chicago Chess Conference among the 145 high school players competing.

Santanaporn likes games that force his brain to work, which is why he enjoys chess and video strategy games.

“They really make you think a lot,” he said.

As for returning to Thailand, that’s on hold for now. Next year, Santanaporn would like to attend college in the United States and pursue a degree in engineering at Purdue University, Marquette University or the University of Illinois.

“I’m not sure about my ultimate career. It is kind of hard to decide. I need to figure out what I like,” he said.

Despite the distance between them, Santanaporn’s role model is his father.

“He works very hard to give me the opportunity to get a good education and provide me with love and other stuff,” he said. “He has a very good understanding of life in general.”

Santanaporn also practices yoga when he can. He learned from his father, who is a yoga teacher.

Until he can return to Thailand, Santanaporn is enjoying life in the Chicago area.

“Life is easier here. I don’t get frustrated much,” he said. “I motivate myself to do well in school. I also want to do well for my mom and my aunt, but I also do it for myself. I don’t need to impress anyone.”

Santanaporn also credits Brother Rice with much of his success, saying, “It is a very good school.”

What does he think of Chicago?

“It is nice,” he said, “but a bit cold in the winter.”