Shoko’s Leap from Basketball Captain to Future Psychologist

For Shoko, Bangkok Patana School is the foundation of who she’s become. From her first day in Foundation Stage all the way to Year 13, she has grown from a shy, reserved student into a confident basketball captain, musician and aspiring psychologist. “I’ve been here for 15 years,” she says. “It’s really hard to believe I’m finally leaving.”

Shoko’s journey wasn’t always a clear path. “In the early years—around Year 7—I wasn’t involved in much,” she admits. “But as I got older, I started meeting different people, finding new social groups and eventually getting involved in things that really mattered to me.” One of those things was basketball. Shoko was not only on the team—she was leading it. “Being basketball captain was such a big part of my high school life,” she says. Her proudest moment? Winning the SEASAC championship—a title Patana hadn’t claimed in 15 years. “That was huge for us. After so much training and so many years of trying, we finally did it.”

Outside of sports, Shoko’s compassion shone through her extra-curriculars. She volunteered with Likit Daycare, where she spent time playing with young children and supporting them in early learning activities. “Just being with the kids, seeing how they interacted—it really moved me. It was simple but meaningful.” That emotional connection led her toward a deeper interest: psychology. “At first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she explains. “My parents always encouraged me to go into a science-related field. Over time, after talking with my mom and learning more about psychology—especially how social media affects the human mind—I realised that this is a field I truly connect with.”

Shoko’s chosen subjects—HL Sports Science, Biology and SL English, Math and Thai—reflect her blend of academic curiosity and real-world interest in how people think, feel and behave. She’s now headed to Chulalongkorn University enrolling in their International Psychology programme in collaboration with the University of Queensland. This program allows her to stay in Thailand for the first two years, before moving to Australia for the final two. “I’m really excited,” she says. “It feels like the right step—not just academically, but personally. I want to understand people, support them and maybe one day even work as a counselling psychologist.”

Shoko’s time at Patana wasn’t only about academics and athletics. She also found her voice through music, playing the violin in school concerts and ensembles. What she’ll miss most isn’t any one activity—it’s the people. “My friends, my community… that’s what made this place special,” she reflects. “We’ve been together for so long, and now we’re all going in different directions. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye.” Still, she’s not closing the door behind her just yet. “I’d love to come back one day and speak to future Year 13s,” she says. “I remember how confused I was, not knowing what I wanted to do. Hearing someone else’s story could really help them the way I needed help back then.”

As she prepares to trade the basketball court for university lecture halls, Shoko carries with her the lessons of leadership, empathy and resilience—ready to support others in their mental health journeys, just as her school community supported her.