Duke of Edinburgh, Gap Year to Geology and Beyond

I have too many memories to count of my time at Bangkok Patana School: Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award with friends; the noodle bar at lunchtime; tending the outdoor learning garden across the road; and travelling for residentials. I remember dancing on stage in the annual Secondary production and every charity event at school. I remember those evening concert series, sports days and especially the Food Hall on International Day! Most vividly, I remember Monty the Python and forever hanging around the science corridor doing odd lunchtime jobs for my favourite teachers.

After I graduated, I took a gap year and then completed my undergraduate degree in geology at Imperial College London. I’m currently applying for postgraduate studies.

Living and studying in an international community from such a young age was hugely beneficial for interacting with people outside of school, especially in a professional setting. Many aspirational values and good habits that I picked up in school such as open-mindedness and maintaining a healthy balance between work, school and my personal life have really helped me through rough times during university and beyond. I greatly appreciate the opportunities that have opened up for me because of my globalised education.

I’m hoping to build my career on research, primarily focusing on palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. I would like to be able to travel and experience our planet’s environmental diversity from the poles to the tropics; a dream that was sparked early on through Patana residentials and field trips.