Sybille’s Pathway to Communications

Sybille was always drawn to the arts. From a young age, she found herself captivated by creative expression—whether through sketching, designing or performing. Her journey to finding the right academic path was filled with exploration, discovery, and at times, unexpected turns.

“I always struggled with Math and Science,” Sybille admits, reflecting on her early academic years. “But art? That was always something I loved.” While at Bangkok Patana School, Sybille took History as her Humanities subject and dabbled in various creative disciplines, including graphic design and product design. A pivotal moment came when she designed a perfume bottle as part of her coursework for D+T. “I really enjoyed the process of conceptualising and designing products,” she says. “That’s when I started considering product design as a possible career.”

However, as she transitioned to the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, her academic focus shifted. Encouraged by her older siblings, she opted to study Business at the higher level. “I was the only one in my class who hadn’t taken Business in my previous years, so I was really nervous about keeping up,” she recalls. “But I ended up really enjoying it. My teacher, Mr Dale, made the lessons engaging, and I realised I had a genuine interest in the subject.” Still, something was missing. While she appreciated the analytical aspects of business, she yearned for a more creative outlet. The turning point came when she attended a university fair and learned about IE University’s Bachelor’s programme in Communications and Digital Media. “I had never really considered Communications before,” she says. “But when I looked into it, it was the perfect blend of business and creativity—marketing, branding, storytelling. It just made sense.”

Sybille’s decision to pursue this field was further reinforced by her internship at her father’s fintech company, where she worked with the marketing team. During her time there, she contributed to content creation, search engine optimisation strategies and social media campaigns. “They were starting to create video content for LinkedIn, and I got to be a part of that,” she says. “It was fascinating to see how digital media and business intersect.”

Beyond academics, Sybille’s school life was a vibrant mix of creative pursuits and entrepreneurial endeavors. In Year 10, she played Captain Hook in the school’s production of Peter Pan, an experience she describes as “one of the most fun and memorable moments.” She also launched a customisable phone case business, hand-drawing designs that could be inserted into clear cases. “It was exciting at first, but I eventually had to stop because it got overwhelming with schoolwork.” Sybille’s commitment to community engagement was another defining aspect of her school years. As part of the school’s CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) program, she volunteered for Likhit daycare, spending time with young children after school.

One of her most meaningful projects as part of D+T Internal Assesment was her work with The Village School for children with special needs. Assigned to work with a student with spina bifida, Sybille designed a specialised interactive tool to help strengthen the child’s motor skills. “She had difficulty using one of her arms, so I created a semicircular baseboard with adjustable poles and rings that encouraged her to use both arms while improving her core strength. Seeing her engage with it was incredibly fulfilling.” Her connection to this project was deeply personal. “I was born with a mild paralysis on my left side due to a stroke in the womb,” she shares. “So, I understood the challenges of limited mobility. It made the experience even more meaningful.”

As she prepares to embark on her journey at IE University, Sybille is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. “I got my acceptance really early, in October, and it was my first choice, so I didn’t apply anywhere else,” she says. “I knew it was where I wanted to be.”

Looking back on her time at school, she reflects fondly on the facilities, the international environment, and the diverse opportunities available. “Patana really offers something for everyone—whether it’s sports, drama, business or design. There’s always a place to explore your passions.” For Sybille, Patana will always be that place that turned out to be at the intersection of creativity and strategy, where art meets business and where ideas came to life through digital media. With her keen eye for design, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her drive to innovate, the future looks bright – watch out IE!