Srin’s Pathway: Building a Global Mindset

As Srin reflected on her time at Bangkok Patana, she realised how quickly the past five years had flown by. One of her most cherished memories was discovering a genuine passion for studying Business. Now, as she begins her university journey, Srin couldn’t be more excited to join her chosen institution, Vrije Universiteit, to pursue a degree in International Business.

Srin arrived at Bangkok Patana School in Year 9, stepping into a community very different from that she had known and that too right in the middle of the pandemic. “I joined during COVID,” she recalls, “We started onsite and then went offsite. It was really challenging in the beginning and as time went by I realised how easy it was to settle in once I made new friends.”

The shift in curriculum, the style of learning, the level of independence and the exam‑focused approach demanded quick adaptation. “For GCSEs, everything relied on past papers and understanding examiner expectations. I had never done that before,” she says, “For two years I kept getting ‘not so good grades’ in business. I really thought maybe it wasn’t the right subject for me.” But persistence paid off: “In the final exams, I got As and Bs. It showed me it was about practice, not capability.”

Now in the IB Diploma Programme, Srin studies Business HL, Art HL and English LangLit HL, complemented by Thai SL, Physics SL and Math AI SL. Her passion, though, is firmly anchored in the global business landscape. “I’ve grown up in international schools and worked with people from different cultures. You learn how backgrounds shape perspectives,” she explains. “And because everything connects to business, international business feels like the right path.”

Her ambition centres on Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), which she visited in 2022. “VU’s international business course aligned more with what I want – more depth in culture, psychology and real‑world global context.” Speaking multiple languages – Thai, English, Korean and emerging Dutch, gives her additional confidence. “Dutch is extremely hard,” she admits with a laugh. “Harder than Korean. But in the Netherlands, it matters.”

Her future plans include a mandatory exchange in her third university year, likely to Korea or Shanghai. “I used to learn Mandarin, so Shanghai might work,” she says. Long term, she envisions pursuing a master’s in supply chain. “Amsterdam is a hub for imports and exports. I imagine myself starting in a big multinational company and growing from there.” She credits her mother, who has international experience, for helping her refine her direction. “At first I thought maybe I should do AI because it’s trending, but she helped me think about what stays essential in a changing world.”

Her education at Bangkok Patana wasn’t limited to classrooms. One of her most memorable adventures was the Year 10 geography trip to Hua Hin, a blend of coastal fieldwork and teenage camaraderie. “It was the best trip,” she says. “We stayed in a big hotel room, collected data during the day, and at night watched horror movies.”

Practical experience came through internships as well. In 2025 she interned in the international marketing department of a Praram 9 hospital. “It was eye‑opening. I learned about cultural preferences, what certain groups like or avoid, how to be respectful in marketing.” She also had another opportunity to work as a consultant on a university concert project. “I talked about which artists teenagers would enjoy, how much tickets should cost, budgeting – it felt like real market research. Really fun.”

At school, Srin is a member of We Love, a student‑led organisation supporting arts access in local Thai communities. “We raise money for instruments and art supplies and host events for children,” she says. She moved from finance to communications, working directly with Thai partners and helping with social media—skills she sees translating naturally into marketing and business.

Art has shaped her personally as well. Her IB Visual Arts work explores self‑identity and family relationships through expressive portraiture. “People think IB Art is just making art, but there’s so much writing and analysis. It’s helped me think critically, and it even supports my understanding of culture in business.”

As graduation nears, what she will miss most is simple: “Walking around campus with my friends during break and lunch. Patana is so green—the trees, the butterflies, even the monitor lizards. It’s peaceful. I’ll miss that a lot.”

Srin’s journey at Patana began in uncertainty, but she leaves with clarity and a steady confidence of someone ready to take on the world. Congratulations Srin!