Meet the University and Careers Counsellors

Karel De Cock has spent most of his life as an expat. Having spent fifteen years counselling families in Singapore, Shanghai, Chiang Mai and Brussels, Karel brings his expertise and insight to our team. Having been raised as a third culture kid, Karel applies his personal relocation and international experience when counselling students to locate institutions that are the best fit. Karel received his undergraduate degree in Organizational Psychology from Vesalius College (Boston University), and his Masters in Educational Counselling from the University of Bristol. With extensive experience in creating and developing Careers & University programs and curriculums, Karel has been Head of University Advising at schools in Shanghai and Singapore. Karel coaches the boys Junior Varsity Basketball team as well. Email: kade@patana.ac.th

Joachim Ekstrom known as Mr. Kim, he is originally from Sweden, but has lived overseas for 25 years. This is his 16th year as secondary counsellor, and Bangkok Patana is his sixth international school. He joins us from the International School Manila and worked at the Seoul Foreign School before that. Mr. Kim has an undergraduate degree in education and psychology and a graduate degree in counseling psychology. He has visited more than 200 universities around the world and he has organized college tours and fairs in several countries. Mr. Kim speaks Swedish, English and Thai fluently and he considers himself to be a “Third-Culture Grown Up”. His biggest passion besides counselling is community service, and he has initiated and supervised a number of service projects at various schools. Email: joek@patana.ac.th

Danielle Sheppard joined Bangkok Patana in 2022 from Shanghai where she was working as a College Counsellor. Previously she worked in Singapore, Bahrain and Thailand where she has held numerous positions including teaching PE, Head of Year 12/13 and Key Stage 4 Coordinator. Danielle has a University of Liverpool Degree and completed her PGCE at Leeds Beckett University. She is an avid Golfer and will be (is) helping out the Golf team at Patana. Email: dash@patana.ac.th

Khun June Masaya joined Patana in October 2000 as the Careers Department Secretary. She is a graduate of Bangkok University and previously worked as a secretary in a finance company. She coordinates student records and assists with the SAT program. Email: mach@patana.ac.th

Khun Piyakarn Upabonsawas joined Bangkok Patana in February 2020 as the Careers Department Secretary. She graduated from Assumption University in Communication Arts and previously worked as a marketer at an international import/export business company. At Bangkok Patana, she coordinates university visits, assists with Career Day planning and helps students and Careers counsellors. Email piup@patana.ac.th