Alumni News
W
e are very proud of the four graduates of the class of 2020 who were accepted to highly ranked universities in China (Tsinghua University, Beijing University, and Fudan University). Here, they share their journeys and how they reached the goal of being admitted into their dream schools. They hope their experiences bring inspiration to their juniors! Additionally, I learned a lot from the IB program. I had many chances to serve in the community to help those in need through CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). TOK (Theory of Knowledge) trained me in critical thinking and widened my eyes to see this world as a big picture. I had also founded and participated in some school clubs, sports teams and talent shows, including being an MC and playing roles in musicals on stage. The biggest challenge to me was time-management. It was not easy to Fern Waratrujiwong School of Social Science, Tshinghua University balance learning activities and after school activities. However, I always reminded myself I had applied to universities in China, that if I made a decision, I had to keep it until the Thailand and the United Kingdom to major in end. International Relations, Law, and Politics. Fortunately, I got accepted to all the programs I would like to advise my beloved juniors that I a p p l i e d t o ! F i n a l l y, I c h o s e S o c i a l your hard work will be repaid one day, so never Science at Tshinghua University. The reasons ever give up, and fight for your dreams! I finally chose to study in China was firstly because it’s close to my home country ofThailand, and secondly, studying further in Chinese will greatly benefit my life. Also, I had been to Tshinghua few years ago, and I was drawn by the homey school environment and the positive attitudes of the students there. I like history, economics, literature, and international politics which are all included in the Social Science program in Tshinghua.
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I started studying at Concordian International School in 2004. The most impressive things to me about Concordian were its learning atmosphere and trilingual programme. The interaction between teachers and students made the learning very fun, and the ability to speak three languages (Chinese, English and Thai) enabled me to apply to universities all over the world. I have to say it was a great advantage to study multiple languages since a young age.
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the ones who had to raise the funds and make our way there. We built up a school building and filled it up with basic facilities and decorations in 2 weeks WITHOUT WIFI! However, this experience will stay in my mind and heart forever. One of the kids asked me after the school been built, “Why did guys come and build a school for us when we don’t even know each other?” I would have no clue if I haven’t joined this project, but now one thing I know is that when we GIVE, we also GAIN. We gained those smiling fa c e s , u n i t y a m o n g s t u d e n t s , appreciation from the local people, and support from everywhere.
Lyn Nimprayoon Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Beijing University I was sent to China to for middle school since my parents thought learning Chinese language was very important. I came back to Thailand and studied at Concordian International School since Grade 8. The reason I chose China for my higher education was because I would like to learn the language further and my parents have supported me with this a lot. I have loved Chinese literature since I was very young. One of my Chinese teachers, Ms. Li, used to say that we have to do what we love to do since our life is short. This gave me great encouragement to pursue my dream: Beijing University became the best and perfect option.
Furthermore, I learned critical thinking in IB curriculum which focuses on WHY rather than WHAT. IB is inquiry-based study. It allows students to think from different perspectives to find answers, which will help me a lot in my further studies. Teachers at Concordian always gave me a lots of encouragement. I always strive to be the best but sometimes I failed. I remember one of my teachers used to tell me, “only compare within yourself, and you will see you are growing everyday little by little”. I am so thankful to my parents, teachers and classmates who supported me and were always by my side. I used to hate failure and hate the feeling of embarrassment, but now I can accept my mistakes and shortages. Even I fall, I’ll stand up again to face the challenge. I did it, so I believe you can do it as well.
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I participated in the ‘School Build Project’ during the time I was studying in Concordian International School which I still remember it very well. We went to a small valley in Tak province in Thailand and built a school in two weeks. The kids there had no facilities and couldn’t afford to go to school. The project was quite a challenge to us since there was nothing at all. We were
Our Founding Director Khun Varnnee C. Ross always reminds us that students in Concordian should not only focus on academic growth, but also need to grow morally and develop good values. With noble intentions, I participated a lot more in community service. This included volunteering as a teacher in Guangning County, Guangdong Province, China. I would like to fulfil Concordian’s mission statement!
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Taley Jiraphongtrakul School of Economics, Fudan University Compared to studying in a western country, staying in Asia might be a more economical choice. I like Chinese language and culture, and I believe studying in Fudan University will build a good foundation for my future and bring more opportunities in a competitive environment. I like computer programming, but I don’t want to be a programmer. Luckily, I had the chance to get to know the economics of computer science during a summer internship programme in Grade 11, which I found so interesting. From then on, I decided to study Economics and take programming as an elective course. It’s cool to be an economist with a computer science background. Another reason I chose Fudan was that I love Shanghai as a city.
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I have been studying in Concordian since Grade 1. I love the campus and teaching environment. I made many friends there. We encouraged each other and grew together. I cherish every moment I spent with teachers and classmates at Concordian. The transition period between Grade 10 to Grade 11 and 12 was not easy to me. Lessons got more difficult, we had more homework, but time was shrinking so quickly. I believe you might feel the same once you enter this stage, but as long as you walk along with everyone, you’ll surely overcome and finally reach your goal. I would like to remind everyone with a quote from Eliud Kipchoge that ‘Only the disciplined ones are free in life’. Wish you all the best.
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Tata Hirunviriya Department of Urban Planning, Tsinghua University I had been interested in studying in China since Grade 10. China is a highly technologically developed country and is one of world’s superpowers. Equipping myself with Chinese culture and language will surely bring me more opportunities in the future. I had a chance to join the internship with CP Group Shanghai for a month during summer holiday in 2019. Through that I learned about the rapid growth in their urban construction and technology. The modernization in China has drawn me closer to that country which made me want to learn more from them and bring the new technologies to Thailand. Tsinghua is one of the top Universities in China with great faculty resources and students from all over the world. By studying there I’ll have more chances to learn about local students as well as international students which can probably give me wider global insight. I have been at Concordian since Kindergarten. Every corner of the campus is in my memory. Concordian to me was like a big family. The faculty, staff and classmates were like my family members that loved and cared for me wholeheartedly.
Studying the IB is not an easy path. It requires time, effort, and even responsibility in community service projects, but it pays off. It trained me to analyze, deal with stress, manage time, and contribute to our society, which I consider as one of the greatest gains from Concordian. ‘Work hard, play hard!’ is my advice to my juniors. Stress release is a MUST along with a busy study schedule. I would talk to my friends about my stress and have a hangout together to maintain balance. Whenever I was stressed, I would calm myself down with a positive attitude. I told myself, if I can’t solve the problem at all, why should I burden myself? Vice versa, if I can solve the problem, why do I need to be stressed?’ Hope this helps you too.
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Concordian International School truly wishes for all the graduates to have a great and bright future, and most importantly to carry our mission and vision statements with them. Wherever they go Concordians will be compassionate, moral and visionary leaders who strive for excellence and make a difference in the world.
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