Hanseol’s Pathway

Before he became a student leader, competition organiser and an aspiring engineer, Hanseol was a quiet newcomer grappling with a new language and an unfamiliar world. His journey at Bangkok Patana began not with accolades, but with uncertainty. “I first arrived at Bangkok Patana School during the final term of Year 6. I had spent most of my childhood in Korea and only spoke Korean at the time. The transition to an English-speaking school system was jarring—I couldn’t understand most of what was happening in the classroom,” recalls Hanseol, “As someone who had always been outgoing and confident in Korea, suddenly being unable to express myself made me feel isolated. I went from feeling like I was the centre of the world to feeling invisible.”

Secondary School came with its own challenges. “In the early years, I wasn’t exactly a model student. I was struggling, got called out of class frequently and spent quite a few afternoons in ‘Body Control’—a sort of silent detention run by Mr Barros,” he says. “At the time, it felt like a punishment, but it turned into something far more meaningful.” One conversation with Mr Barros became a turning point. “He told me stories of students who had thrown away their potential and warned me that I could head down that same path. I walked out of that room feeling nauseated—not because I was scolded, but because I realised how much I was wasting the opportunities my parents had sacrificed to give me.”

From that moment, he committed to change. “I focused in class, worked hard and eventually became what you might call a ‘teacher’s pet.’ I knew I had a responsibility—not just to myself, but to my family.”

“In the middle of my (I)GCSE exams, I endured a personal loss. It was the most painful moment of my life. That experience became my fuel. I knew I had to make the most of every opportunity, not just for my own future, but as a gratitude to the many people in school who had supported me.”

In his Senior years, Hanseol tackled an intense academic load with purpose. “I took four Higher Level subjects—Physics, Computer Science, Math AA and English B—as well as Further Mathematics A Level. This meant I had no free periods and often studied through lunch or after school.” He also revived and expanded the STEM Youth Writing Competition. “I reached out to students and teachers in other schools—some of whom I connected with through friends, alumni and other school networks. By the end, we had submissions from 12 schools across four different regions.” Compared to the previous year’s two-school participation, it was a significant milestone. “It was, to the best of our knowledge, the first international student-led STEM writing competition in Thailand.”

At the same time, he served as Logistics and Marketing Manager for the student club DATA, promoted well-being through Mini Movers another student club, and completed a research internship at United Testing and Assembly Center (UTAC), gaining insight into the semiconductor industry. One of his proudest roles was as President of Scientia, the student-led science publication. “I applied for the role of President with a clear vision: to expand Scientia beyond Patana and make it a regional hub for student-led science writing.”

“When asked why he chose to study electrical engineering, the answer takes a charmingly nostalgic turn. ‘It sounds kind of stupid,’ he says, sheepishly, ‘But it started with Ninjago—you know, the animated show? I was obsessed with Jay, the lightning ninja. The electricity crackling in the sky, the idea of using power to protect people—that really stuck with me.’” To add fuel to his passion, “My uncle, an electrical engineer, once left behind an old textbook. It was full of analog circuits. I had no idea what any of it meant, but I found it beautiful. I’m a huge analog person—I love film photography, fountain pens, old-school stuff. Something about the circuitry just clicked.’”

Hanseol also carved the time out of IB to take online courses in advanced vibrations from KAIST and music technology from the University of Rochester, which clearly shows his passion for the subject. He explored analog electronics and completed a Physics Extended Essay on speaker performance—measuring frequency response curves and total harmonic distortion. “Sound quality is subjective, but as a scientist, I had to find a way to measure it. So I used standard deviation in frequency response and distortion metrics. It was nerdy but fun.” Later in the summer, at the Engineering Frontier Camp at Seoul National University, he researched electrokinematics and helped build a functional boat under time pressure. “My team came in second in the competition, and fourth overall among twelve.”

For someone who once doubted if he’d ever find his path, Hanseol has carved one with clarity and purpose. His story is not about being the loudest voice or the fastest learner—it’s about perseverance, empathy and the courage to grow. “As I look ahead to university and beyond, I carry with me everything I’ve learned at Patana: resilience, gratitude, responsibility and the importance of community.” Hanseol has decided to pursue Electronics and Electrical Engineering at Cooper Union, New York.

Wishing you the very best in your next chapter at Cooper Union!