Samaggi Sara Lek Lek Noi Noi

S AMAGGI SAR A LEK LE K NO I N O I

Getting Ready For Life In The UK!

Want A Job in The UK? We've got you covered!

Top tips and personal experiences from Thai students who made it.

Satisfy Your Wanderlust with our travel guide that will bring you across the UK.

Ultimate Food Guide From Student Budget To Michelin Star To keep your stomach happy.

About

S a m ag g i S A M AG O M Samaggi Samagom is a Thai students association in the United Kingdom founded by King Vajiravudh in 1901 with the intention of establishing close relationships and connections among Thai students in the United Kingdom. Over the past 116 years, Samaggi Samagom has continuously worked towards creating a stable cooperation amongst Thai students across the United Kingdom in academic, social and sports areas so as to benefit Thai students while studying and after graduation.

O U R 27th January 2018 S am ag gi C ONCE R T The most looked forward to event of the year where we bring home to you. This year we are flying 3 bands all the way from Thailand! Stay tuned to find out who they are. With the opportunity for an exclusive meet and greet, secure your tickets now. We can guarantee you the best concert experience in the UK!

E V E N 10-11 February 2018 S a m ag g i Ac a de m ic C on fe re n c e & C ar e e rs fa ir

Our annual academic conference aims to raise students in the UK on how we as students in t driving Thai economy and Thailand 4.0 forwar this year’s theme being ‘Innovation based soci

In addition to the previous years, this year we careers fair featuring large companies from Th graduates/interns. This event will provide you an idea of the opportunities we have back hom for you to hand in your CV and interview on t an event that you will not want to miss, especi are graduating soon.

Keep an eye out for our event updates by liking the

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e awareness among Thai the UK can contribute to rd at a greater pace with iety to sustainability’.

will also be hosting a Thailand to recruit UK the opportunity to gauge me, plus an opportunity the spot. This is definitely ially for those of you who

Samaggi Samagom facebook page.

17 February 2018 S a m aggi GA M E S ( S P OR T S DAY )

Gathers all Thai students in the UK to come together for a inter-uni ‘sports day’. For you athletes, we have football, basketball, volleyball, and badminton competitions. For those of you who aren’t so athletic, head over to the ‘hay ha corner.’

Moreover, this event is the perfect reunion for Thai students across the UK as it brings participants from over 50 universities all over the UK! Last year, Sheffield was the champion! Let’s see who takes the trophy home this year.

Foreword to Newcomers Many people say, “university is the best time of your life.”

Postgraduates, you may have mixed feelings about the statement. Undergraduates, I’ll let your next few years determine it for yourself.

For those of you new to the UK, you’ve probably heard of many stories – some good, some bad. Regardless of what you have heard, reality is much simpler: how your experience unfolds ultimately depends on you.

Academia is only a minor part of it. There is still plenty of time to party, tour around Europe, or perhaps simply daydreaming in Hyde Park on a nice summer day. The real beauty of life here is the freedom to walk your own path.

Here we are in a land of opportunities – opportunities to showcase your ability at an international level, opportunities to meet the best minds from diverse backgrounds, and the opportunities to explore the passion that will drive you all the way.

With limited time, the choice is yours to either stick to your comfort zone or to look back in pride at the opportunities bravely taken, whatever the results.

Failures are bound to happen, but so too are successes. The key thing is to maintain

the fighting spirit and never stop believing in your potential. Looking back at these past 2 years, I only regret not having done more.

Samaggi Sara Lek Lek Noi Noi provides you with a tiny glimpse into what to look forward to in the UK, and the opportunities up for grabs. Nevertheless, always be on the look-out for new prospects that suit you. Talk to more people, ask questions, attend conferences, take part in good causes, and stick to friends who continue to challenge you to greater heights.

Occasionally taking a leap of faith often reminds me how enriching life can be, and I only have my family and friends to thank for their support and guidance.

Lastly, I would like to quote off my idol Bill Gates in his speech to graduates, “This is an amazing time to be alive.

I hope you make the most of it.”

I really hope you do. Enjoy the UK!

Tanachart Kujareevanich (james) President of Samaggi Samagom 117

C ONT E N TS Getting Ready for Life in the UK

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OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UK Banking Internship

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Rolls- Royce Internship

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Start-up Competitions

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Getting a Job in the UK

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An Opportunity After Graduation

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LIFE OUTSID Travel Tips

London Attra Cornwall FOOD GUIDE London Eats: A Student Budget-Friendly Guide

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The Top 15 London Food Spots on my List

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A Michelin Guide

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GETTING READY FOR LIFE IN THE UK Norman ghanty

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GUIDE E T A LTIM

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3rd Year Geography University of Manchester

If you have never been to the UK let alone Europe before, you must be pretty terrified right now (position I was in!). However, do not fear. This guide will hopefully prepare you for a much smoother transition.

First off, do not be shocked by the amount of white people on the street! You are no longer in Thailand. Then again, most major cities are very multicultural, so don’t worry about feeling out of place as you won’t. What I wish I knew beforehand was how early the shopping malls close - the majority closes by the time the sun sets AND there are no 7-11s! If you are lucky, you might reside close to a 24 hour mini-market.

Things you might not need: >Your maid(s) >Your car or Honda Scoopy i >Your rice cooker (opinion is mixed)

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>Instant noodl supermarkets t plenty of space >BTS card

les (they have Asian there as well!) if you got e, sure go ahead!

W HAT T O B R I N G The UK is colder than Thailand! I would recommend buying a winter jacket from there if you do not own one. This is because the greater variety of choices there compared to here. However, when you step out of the airport, I would recommend wearing a hoodie and a few layers underneath – especially if you get cold easily!

It is also vital that you do not forget your passport and other important documents.

I would also recommend bringing a bed sheet and bath towel prior as you may not have time to buy these essentials on the day you arrive. You must also bring an adapter! (This is the only disadvantage of never being colonised before). Also, I have never seen a store that sells bolsters (หมอนข้าง) in the UK. So if you need one to sleep, I would recommend buying a vacuum-packed one from the store here first or buy one online when you are there!

IMPORTANT If your family members are not travelling with you – tell them that you love them and you’ll make them proud. They’ll be really worried about you (even if they don’t show it). >1, 2 and 5 baht coin >Your children >Your grandchildren >Fridge (all sizes)

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WHERE TO LI V E

TR AN SP O R T

If you haven’t already chosen your accommodation, I would recommend:

Taxis in the UK aren’t cheap! I would therefore recommend reading a bit about the city’s transport infrastructure beforehand. If you have a friend who already studies at the city you’ll be studying in, ask them for advice on which mode of transport is best. Also, if you have to choose between a taxi and an Uber, go with the latter! I study in Manchester, and a lot of people here own bicycles since it’s a good investment and a good way to exercise regularly. However, do take into account that it can be very inconvenient when it does rain and people often get parts of their bicycles stolen!

1) Asking a friend who already lives in the city you’ll be going to for advice on a university accommodation that suits your taste. Living in uni halls in 1st year is a great opportunity to make new friends who aren’t necessarily from Thailand.

2) However, if you aren’t so keen on making new international friends, then don’t limit your options to student accommodation. There are plenty of reasonably priced apartments that exceed student accommodations’ quality.

3) If you don’t have any friends, then I would recommend spending some time researching and reading reviews of an accommodation that suits your need.

Emailing your university accommodation office is another alternative.

Don’t forget to take distance from the university, transport infrastructures and other facilities into account!

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O pe n i n g a b an k ac c ount

SN AC KS

The main banks in the UK are HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, RBS, Natwest and Nationwide. When opening a bank account, different banks ask for different documents. It is therefore best to call the bank as well as check their website to make sure you have got everything you need. Below are some of the things you will definitely need.

Even though there are Asian supermarkets in most major cities, there are just some snacks that I doubt you’ll find. So stock up! (do not store them in your carry-on luggage though!

Training saga: Once you step out of the shower, it is pretty cold! To prepare yourself, I would recommend showering in really cold water as part of your resistance training :D (the author does not hold responsibility for

1. Letter from university 2. Passport and BRP card 3. Passport photo 4. Student ID

damage to person)

It is best if you bring a small amount of cash with you just in case as it may take up to two weeks for you to finally get your debit card.

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Apart from that, do not be scared! I know that some of you may be truly terrified, but you’ll make plenty of good friends who you can rely on and before you know it, you’ll be accustomed to the place! Remember that there are so many other students around the world who are in the same position as you are in now.

I hope that you have an awesome experience.

All the best!

Norman G

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I d o n’ t k now w hat is goin g on w i t h m y w or k . A l l I kn ow is I dr ink a l ot of c of f e e .

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After graduating, you may face an even more difficult question than Hamlet. “To work or not to work?�, you soliloquise.

Do not fear! Thai students who've made it are here to share their experiences.

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BANKING INTERNSHIP

Sa ra n ch a n a Ramyananda (Ploy ) 3rd Year Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Imperial College London

Here is what I have learnt from completing an internship in a London-based investment bank (markets division) this summer. I have been instructed not to disclose the name of the bank for confidentiality purposes, but please feel free to get in touch if you are interested!

Normally, if you are in your first or second year of a 4-year course, you can apply for Spring week which may get you a fasttrack to Summer internships. If you get through the first screening process (CV and cover letter evaluated), the next step will either be an online or a face-toface interview. I was chosen to complete face-to-face interview. It is no joke how scary these interviews are. They will quickly scrutinise how prepared and motivated you are. I would say that the best tip is to be honest about it. If they ask you something you have no clue about, then do not try to make things up.

My four-week internship was a steep learning curve for me. To say it was an amazing experience would be an understatement. My internship was rotational; I spent two weeks in structuring desk and another two in credit trading desk. My time there was packed with training, activities and networking events. If you aspire to get an internship in the marketing sector, expect long hours. In the trading sector, you are expected to arrive by 6.30am and leave at around 6-7pm.

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My tasks involved a lot of research, coming up with stock pitches and trade ideas.

A typical day for me on the trading floor mainly consisted of giving daily news reports to the team. Most of my time being spent getting to grips with financial concepts (as I didn’t have any background in finance/economics). This was immensely aided with my opportunity to shadow or have insightful conversations with at least one person from different sectors each day.

how much effort the company has put into the internship programme and how much they expected of us interns. You do solid work from day 1 and will be as busy for the next 4 weeks. The Campus Recruitment team also arranged several networking events for interns throughout the internship. My general advice with a desk job is: be prepared to work hard to grasp the gist of what each desk does and to be as proactive as possible.

Some people think that it is hard to get an internship in London as a foreign student, but I assure you that this is not the case at all. My fellow interns are mostly international students from all around the world. If you can commit yourself to the gruelling application process, then you will have a solid chance in gaining that internship spot!

During the internship, we were encouraged to meet Managing Directors and Directors across all business functions, which showed us the flat structure of the organisation. Everyone I met was very helpful and made time for us interns despite their extremely busy schedule. I was pleasantly surprised on

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A dv i ce for s e cu r i ng a sp o t Be proactive. This sounds very cliché but it really is important. For example, you could:

Join Finance/ Investment society in your university.

They will always e-mail you with different opportunities and events to attend.

Check out websites/organisations that accumulate internships e.g. Bright Network, TargetJobs Go to career events Keep up to date with the news (I just crammed it all in before my interview, but it is obviously much better if you make reading current affairs a habit!)

Your CV is very important: Use the career services at your university and let them check your CV for you. It’s free (technically you already paid for it with your tuition fees so might as well use it right?)

I don’t want to bore you with all the nitty gritty details from my experience, but if you are interested, feel free to get in touch with me via e-mail: saranployr@gmail.com

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ROLLS-ROYCE SUMMER INTERNSHIP

Ta n ach a rt Kujareevani ch (james) 3rd Year Undergraduate Material Science Imperial College London

As with most things in life, it is always best to prepare early. The first step is finding out the application deadlines. For engineering, deadlines lay around late December for the following year’s summer programme. I recommend that you visit to your university career fairs or simply google the firms you wish to apply to. Career fairs are usually held around the middle of the Autumn term (late October to November). Having a chat with the representatives from the companies at the fair booth is a good way to gauge the career

prospect and application process. Since most of these representatives are recent graduates, they will understand your nerves.

When I started the 2nd year of my 4-year journey, I considered applying for 2 fields of internships – mainstream engineering (Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, British Petroleum) and engineering consultancy (Arup, Atkins, Cambridge Consultancy).

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Engineering consultancy companies provide expertise and know-hows to engineering projects rather than investing in its bricks and mortar (basically the engineering equivalent to management consultancy – McKinsey or BCG).

process. I was lucky enough to get accepted into the only company I applied for through the official route – Rolls Royce Plc. Rolls Royce has a comprehensive recruitment system that accepts university students from any year level. For the application, you must pick one specific role out of more than ten options, which varies from manufacturing, engineering, materials science, to operations management, commercial & sales, and human resources. As my degree requires me to do an engineering internship during my penultimate year, I reckoned it would be good to experience the business side of things this year. Hence, I applied for the operations management role.

My initial enthusiasm was crushed by the fact that firstly, most of my target companies only consider penultimate year students (3rd year of 4-years degree, or 2nd year of 3-years degree). Secondly, companies in the defence industry, such as Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, only recruit British nationals for security reasons. Dejected, I turned to friends who were bogged down by the same situation.

Keep knocking and a door will eventually open. When firms say they are not open to recruiting undergraduate interns, in most cases it is simply because they do not have the proper programme to cater the intake. Through networking and talking to the right people, many of my friends found placements for themselves in companies with no proper application

With some basic research, I tweaked my CV to emphasise my organisational skills, and wrote a 250-word answer to the question: “Why did you apply to RollsRoyce?” I made sure to mention both my engineering and management skills which made me suitable for the specific role.

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The submission of the CV and cover letter lead me to 3 online quizzes, where 90% of applicants failed to make the hurdle.

How do you pass it? Practice, practice, practice. There are free practice quizzes tailored to specific job applications, mostly for the finance industry, but increasingly in others as well. The quizzes I had to complete were verbal reasoning, pattern recognition and situational judgment.

The final test consisted of scenario-based problems to which the appropriate response had to be chosen. I completed the test in November last year, and received the invitation email to the next round.

Fast-forward 2 months to the end of January 2017 with no response from Rolls Royce. My previous emails to the recruitment team were coldly responded with: “We will get back to you shortly.” Then, on the first week of February I finally received the ‘golden ticket’ to the company for the assessment centre. It was far from party time though, as they gave me two weeks to prepare for the following:

- Retaking the verbal reasoning quiz - Case study essay on operations management (scenario-based) - A 10-minute presentation, followed by a 50-minute competency interview - Technical interview (operational skills with a focus on lean management) - Group activity (working together on a project whilst being scrutinised by assessors) The interviewers were very kind and polite, although they did create a serious evaluative environment to bring out your potential. I honoestly enjoyed my time at the assessment centre. The lead-up to the assessment however, was a nightmare.

Never being taught operations management in my degree, I purchased a £14.99 copy of Operations Management for Dummies from Amazon in order to absorb the content within a week for the technical

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interviews and case study. The phone call I received the following week from Rolls Royce was one of the best phone calls I have ever received.

Then came summer…

Before I delve further into explaining the details of my internship, let me briefly explain the Rolls-Royce’s matrix organization (from my understanding). Rolls-Royce’s aerospace sector is divided into different units catered to manufacture different parts of plane engine (turbines, compressors, rotatives, etc.) Different divisions (purchasing, operations, finance etc.) run across these various units. This is simplified in the diagram below:

Division/Unit

Compressors

Turbines

Purchasing Operations

I’m Here

Finance

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Rotatives

I was placed in the Continuous Improvement Team in the Civil Aerospace division located in Derby, UK. We are in charge of driving the improvement in operations across all the turbines manufacturers inclusive of over 10 factories all the way from Europe to China. Simply put, we resemble the external consultants hired to step into different facilities either to help fix certain issues or improve existing processes.

facilities to see how the other units operate. At the end of the day, it is you who takes charge of the experiences you gain from the firm.

In conclusion, this experience gave me a more realistic expectation of life in the corporate world, which further fueled my ambition to start my own company- to develop my own products, to have the freedom to dictate the direction of the company and my own lifestyle. I will continue to work hard to pursue my dreams.

I was involved in a re-layout of an area in the factory through the relocation and addition of large machines. The process involved external companies (machine manufacturing company and construction company) for minor constructions and running of electric cables, and Rolls Royce’s IT and Purchase Team for setting up network connections and purchasing of new machines.

While this may sound very interesting, as an intern however, you are mainly assigned to less significant jobs.

In addition, implementing certain changes on the shop floor can get very frustrating at times because it involves coordinating many parties (80% of which do not respond to your emails). I have made a habit of walking across facilities to chase people, and waiting a few more days to see any action. However, it is truly understandable as most employees here are very busy with their daily tasks. To be honest, I did get demotivated at times to observe the slow progress of how things unfold. However, the key thing is to always ask for more work when things get a bit sluggish. I would always offer my colleagues a helping hand whenever I am unoccupied. Occasionally, my fellow interns and I would book tours to different

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STAR T-U P S The notion of being part of an entrepreneurial venture, taking on the market with nothing but an original idea, is most alluring; especially for those whose time at university is coming to an end. Because of this, “startups” have become one of the more prominent obsession of the Thai student community of late. And after spending the last six months working on one of my own, I can tell you that there is so much more to it than business and management.

O NE C RO W D I met one of my co-founders, Lalit “Pie” Sritara, purely by chance. It was through a mutual friend over dinner, and at the time, she had already made plans on developing an app, a personal network utilizer OneCrowd. The app itself aims to aid you in maintaining a firm relationship between you and your contacts; from noting down important information about them to helping

you remember their names, as well as saving you from some embarrassment! Because these are problems I have experienced first hand, I was drawn to the idea of OneCrowd. So after inviting her to see La La Land, a film we both love, we talked of the concurring theme of dream and reality. From there, I found myself designing the idea to life.

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STARTUPS J u l a j uck A m n uck m a n ee (JJ)

2rd Year Undergraduate Graphic Communication Design Central st Martins

For OneCrowd, the first step we took was competing in the UCLEFS (University College London Union Economic and Finance Society) Startup Bootcamp. The process involved submitting a short application form where we briefly explained our startup idea. Ten teams were then selected to participate in the Bootcamp and pitch. The UCLU EFS Startup Bootcamp gave us a quick overview of how to start a startup.

Being a UAL student with only some background on design and entertainment, I had no idea what the business model canvas or the

financial projections were. But with very little sleep, we labored through the weekend and managed to come out as winners of the competition. The prize was GBP 1000 and mentorship by PwC. In addition, one of the judges invited us to join The Budding Entrepreneurs Club and expressed interest in investing with us after our minimum viable product (MVP) is out.

After our first success, we came back to compete at True Incube's Mobile App Challenge in Bangkok where we won another THB 200,000 to develop the app.

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S TAR T-UPS C OM PE T IT ION In startup competitions, there are two things you must keep in mind- the product and the pitch. The product should fill a gap in the market, it should be something that is needed.

What people are looking for is a product with elegance in its simplicity, one that deals with the problem efficiently and effectively.

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THE P I T CH

The pitch is a presentation. Do not make the vital mistake of over-complicating your pitch; no one wants to read the whole process- it is not an essay. If you can’t simplify the pitch, then your product just isn’t simple enough. There should be at least one slide addressing the problem you are trying to solve, and another displaying your product and how it will solve said problem. Also, it doesn't hurt to do a little research on your judges; this edge can mean the difference between winning and losing the competition. If your product doesn’t appeal to the judges, how good it is or how hard you’ve worked on it won’t matter, you simply won’t win.

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2

THE P

Before the product even is imperative that you fi Just like a sailor without without a stable founda goes on, the product its idea never changes.

P R O DU CT

n comes into consideration, it first settle with the core idea. t a guiding compass, a product ation will be lost. And as time self will evolve, but the core

Self-confidence without awareness is just blind arrogance; you must know your strengths and, more importantly, your weaknesses. Obstacles will always present themselves, giving you choices that aren’t always easy to make. You may find that those you previously thought were potential customers or investors have lost interest in your startup, forcing you to either make drastic changes or to keep on going as before. These make or break deals are critical to the future of your startup, which is why awareness is crucial if you want to make the right choice each time.

There will always be competitors, either directly or indirectly, so a competitive analysis is necessary. It is very likely that someone has thought up a similar idea to yours, maybe they have even attempted and failed at launching similar products. Why did they fail? What could you do that they couldn’t? It is possible that, at the time of their launch, the market wasn’t ready for such a product. If so, is the market ready now? These questions all have answers that demand thorough consideration.

Although this is but a first article written by a graphic student, all I hope is that it encourages and inspires those who needed it.

And if you are interested in trying out our personal network utilizer, OneCrowd, visit onecrowdapp.com and sign up so we can keep you posted! We are currently testing our latest prototype and plan to start coding the app very soon! Stay tuned.

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G

A IN

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J

O

THE

B UK

GETTING A JOB IN THE UK

Many Thais studying in the UK plan to carry on working here after graduating. However, only a handful are able to secure a job. With Brexit and the tightening of UK immigration policies, this makes their dreams even harder to achieve. It is surely difficult, but not impossible.

Kenny (Ex-Masters student) and Bo (Ex-PhD Student), are two Thai people who managed to secure a job in the UK after their degrees here.

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Ch a rika Channuntapi pat (Bo)

Kanawat Asawac h atroj (Kenny )

A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE UK Kenny: I graduated with a Dean’s List in MSc in Strategic Marketing from Imperial College Business School in 2015. After graduation, I was offered a 5-month contract to work in a London-based skincare company as a Marketing Assistant. After my Tier 4 visa expired, I was sponsored by a sock manufacturing company to work in the fashion industry as a Senior International Brand Marketing Associate, based in West Sussex.

Bo: I completed my PhD in Accounting from Manchester Business School in 2016, and I am currently a lecturer at the Birmingham Business School. Prior to this, I was offered a job at a large e-commerce company working in the business development team but I decided to stay in academia.

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAI STUDENTS AND THE MAIN BARRIERS

WHAT ARE THE JOB APPLICATION PROCESSES AND HOW DO YOU GET THE JOB

Kenny: The main barrier is ‘work permit’.

Companies have a marginal cost for hiring Thais but there is no additional cost if they hire British or European citizens. If Thais show the company that they could produce more marginal revenue than their marginal cost, it is possible to land a job in the UK. I also believe that there are some jobs that Thais can perform better than other nationalities such as those requiring Thai speakers or Thai territory market knowledge.

Kenny: In my year, students were allowed to work for around 4-5 months after graduation. Despite this, most students still fail to secure a job because most companies look for candidates with work permits to stay in the permanent positions and most companies don’t visa sponsorship policies. For my first job application, I used an online job search a month before my graduation. I applied, did the interview and managed to convince them that I could add value to their company in the 5 months that I had. The company planned to relocate me to Thailand after my visa expired. Luckily, another company approached me and offered to sponsor me a Visa and a position in their sister company in the UK.

Bo: The main barrier for Thai students getting a job here is ’work permit’. When I realized this, the first thing I did was check for companies that can sponsor my work permit. You can do this by simply googling “Tier 2 Sponsor List”. If the company you are interested in made it to the list, you can proceed to the next step.

Bo: The application process varies from company to company. Generally, there are 4 stages; Apply (profile screening), Assessment (quick phone interview/ online test/assessment center), Main interview(s), Outcome. This process can take from a month up to 6 months; for my corporate job and university job applications, it took me around a month and 2.5 months respectively. I am very selective when it comes to job applications. I applied only to places I really aspire to work for and invested my time to tailor my CV and cover letter to suit/ match each application.

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There are 2 tactics- ‘push’ and ‘pull’. To ‘Push’ is to apply for as many jobs as possible while to ‘Pull’ is to attract companies by building your own brand. I still believe that ‘Pull’ is the right strategy to get a job in the UK. You have to keep developing yourself and get as much relevant experience as possible. If you think you are suited for the job and can stand out, give it a try! It is also vital that you DO NOT LIE during any of the application process stages.

Do doube check the work permit requirements of the application though.

Then I searched 1) Company’s websites 2) LinkedIn job portal 3) Other online job listing websites for vacancies. I love to start from company websites because they are more specific, then I widen the search up if I cannot find any opportunities.

TIPS FOR THAI STUDENTS WHO ARE APPLYING FOR JOBS IN THE UK

Bo: The main key for job applications here is preparation, especially for Master’s students. Prepare early if you know you want to apply for a job in the UK; don’t leave it until your last 3 months here.

Tailoring your CV and cover letter specifically for EACH job you apply is very important – a one-size-fits-all CV won’t be successful.

Kenny: You must list all the reasons that will make them NOT hire you – these are your barriers. Then, you have to eliminate as many barriers as possible such as ‘Level of English language’, ‘European market knowledge’, ‘Skills and expertise’. You have to strengthen your assets in order to go beyond Europeans competitors and convince them to sponsor your VISA.

GETTING INTOUCH WITH KENNY AND BO FOR MORE TIPS AND TRICKS Kenny (Kanawat asawachatroj) runs a well-known marketing-related Facebook page “Marketing Everyday” and the website https://www.mkteveryday. com/ where you can follow his interesting articles and discussions about marketing.

Bo (Charika Channuntapipat ) also has a Facebook page called “จารย์ไทยในดงผู้ด”ี and her related website http://www.charika-bo.com/ where she casually blogs about her experience in many aspects such as education and other contemporary topics.

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AN OPPORTUNITY AFTE

Nattaphon Chitsuksai, Chawin Chalisarapong, Napon Tang-Aromsuk, Nuttaporn Norakim Education is a fundamental system; one profoundly interconnected with the socioeconomic and ideological views of our society. A change in such a deeply rooted structure is, of course, overwhelmingly demanding. This requires not only the collaboration of the nation’s operating sectors, but also a monumental leadership to drive us to the endgame, granting equal and proficient schooling for all.

A vision for the futuresomething that many Thais will doubt. Changing the entire education system? Where do we even start?

Thailand’s educational system is failing. It suffers from the hands of

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incompetence and social inequity alike, forcing its students to endure in its defective and broken scheme. This is emphasised in low-income institutions, where students in disadvantaged schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is 3.8 academic years behind the national average for reading competency; they’re also 10 times less likely to pursue higher education compared to others from wealthier backgrounds. The undermining of teaching as a profession, as well as other prevailing attitudes of Thai culture, has discouraged 90% of Thais aged 18-20 from wanting to follow a career in education, leading to a lack of human resources and the resolve to deal with this dire situation. problems.

ER GRADUATION

m

Earlier this year, we met up with the CEO and founder of Teach for Thailand (TFT) and his team. Being a non-profit organisation, TFT aims to provide the students in underperforming schools with competent education and adequate opportunities. They recruit and train distinguished Thai professionals and graduates from all academic disciplines to provide leadership, motivation, and inspirational teaching across the board of academia, from English to mathematics and science. These talented draftees are prompted to create a positive impact on grade 7-9 students over the course of two years, initiating projects that will develop the students’ academic drive, along with their characteristic strengths, skills and ambitions.

raised with such wonderful opportunities for education and training. But this is not the reality that confronts Thailand’s majority; what awaits them is not so pleasant.

When asked about his future ambitions and what he wants to be, a boy answered, “I want to be human”. TFT told us the story of such a boy and many others whose treatment weren’t so much as human beings, but as animals bound to their instinctive fate, to stay where they were born and go no further. To them, the word ambition is just a scribble they cannot read.

But what can we do? Changing Thailand’s educational system is something that is definitely out of our reach … or is it?

Our meeting with TFT reminded us of our fortunate situation, to be born and

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http://www.teachforall.org/our-approach/our-model-leadership-development

TFT aims to change the mind-set of children ages 10-13, at a pivotal time of their lives, to avert their path from one that leads to a dark drug-fuelled end, to one where they can see the true value in their potential, and aspire to be something more than they ever thought they could be. In turn, they hope that the fire that drives their ideals is passed on to others who have experienced this reality to carry on the flame of TFT and improve Thailand’s education evermore.

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As with most charities, the mai the core idea, but the limited re and resources, there is only so m can do to solve such an enormo problem on their own. And alth to the lives of the few does not we must tackle this huge task in bit, we will make a difference, n seem in the moment; much like and the boy who is helping the

When an old man saw a boy throwing starfish into the ocean, he asked the boy what he was doing.

‘The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,’ the youth said.

‘When the sun gets high, they will die; unless I throw them back into the water.’

Puzzled by the boy’s answer, the old man replied, ‘There must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.’

The boy reached down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned to the old man, smiled and said, ‘It made a difference to that one!’

And with that, the old man bent down, and started throwing the starfish back into the ocean, saving yet another life.

Most charity organisations act as ‘the boy’ who saves the starfish, making a difference to each life one by one. TFT, on the other hand, acts as recruiters who gather more people like that ‘boy’ to help them save starfish. One boy increases to 10 and then to 100. And maybe, from saving one life at a time, we will be able to save thousands.

Follow us on Facebook Teach For Thailand, and stay tuned for our roadshow at Samaggi Summit in November. You can also directly contact us through email: recruitment@teachforthailand.org for further information.

Challenge yourself and change lives with us!

in issue comes not from each. With finite influence much an organisation ous and deeply ingrained hough the difference made change the bigger picture, n small steps. And bit-byno matter how small it may e the story of the old man starfish.

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LIFE O UTS I DE U NI

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TRAVEL TIPS

Napon Tang-aromsuk (Kie) 3rd Year Biotechnology Imperial College London

Despite the alluring nightlife the bright skyline of London has to offer, try freshening weekend by exploring what this historic island has to offer. Though the notorious gloomy skies of the UK may deter some from packing a bag and going out the front door, a sunny day or two does come around every once in awhile, so check the weather forecast and start planning!

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Where to?

Home to the most prominent figures and structures in history, whether you’re interested in architecture, literature, academics, or merely just a relaxing get away, the UK caters to all.

In Stratford, you can indulge yourself at the house of William Shakespeare, the father of literature himself. Or walk along the very footsteps once trodden on by world leading academics throughout history, namely Isaac Newton, Alan Turing, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking, at the University of Cambridge with the refined architectural beauties all in full view.

And if you fancy yourself an architectural nut, the never-ending list of such visions rarely fail to amaze. Architectural phenomena in the UK dates back even to the prehistoric settlements of the Stonehenge, from the Roman baths and the Medieval fortresses of Edinburgh Castle, to the acclaimed 21st century architecture of The Shard.

However, if you’re seeking a quiet getaway from the noise and chaos of the city, the outskirts of the country are full of hiking trails and cosy pubs where you can enjoy the fresh breeze of nature with a cool glass of local brew. From the smooth

dunes of sand in South Wales to the shimmering White Cliffs of Dover, the range of landscapes this union of kingdoms has to offer is boundless.

As for the daydreamers who love to linger in thoughts of fantasies, any of the UK’s 600 castles can be a fitting imaginarium and destination. Though you can’t find any of Disneyland’s castles among those 600, the Eilean Donan was used as a prototype of DunBroch castle in Disney’s Brave.

Such castles, however, don’t have much of Disney’s “happily ever after” histories, but rather a Game of Thrones’ “red wedding” one. Speaking of the blockbuster series, parts of Northern Ireland served as filming locations for Northern Westeros, namely Winterfell; and if you ever get tired of Jon Snow’s homeland, you can always hop over to the Scottish Highlands, where many of Harry Potter’s scenes were filmed.

Food and Accommodation Unfortunately, as Lavie Tidhar so accurately puts it, “The English… had once conquered most of the known world, but their cooking hadn't improved as a result.”.

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I’ve never been a big fan of British cuisine, and I’m far from being the only one on this matter. As you find yourself drifting away from the glimmering metropolis, your food choices start to diminish, leaving only fish & chips, roasts, and pies. To me, their bland flavours and ever-present greasy coatings don’t really wet my appetite, though I may be painting a rather unfair image of the food. British desserts, however, is a whole other side of that very same coin. The Brits are obsessed with tea time so, unsurprisingly, they have something so very enticing called Cream Tea, a heavenly combination of scones, clotted cream, and jam being eaten with tea, of course.

For accommodation, big cities have a variety to offer - hotels, service apartments, Airbnbs. However, as you stray further and further away from the bright lights of the big cities, hotels become more scarce as bed and breakfast establishments take their place.

Though these charmingly snug B&Bs can be inviting, it never hurts to check their reviews first.

Transport If you plan to stay in town, taking the train is the way to go. With a railcard, you can get 33% off all rails in the UK. There is very little point in taking a car if you don’t plan on city-hopping as parking can be a real pain and the nauseating traffic will only worsen your temper, so I would recommend sticking to your Ubers and public transports.

Alternatively, if you do plan on dropping in on various different places, go get yourself a driver’s license and, of course, a car. For me, road trips have a charm of their own; the riveting sense of adventure, the mutual spirit of camaraderie with your fellow travellers, and the visions beyond the reach of the train, waiting to be marvelled at. Although an international driver license is not required to drive in the UK, some car rental companies may require one. In addition, the minimum age for most car rental companies is 21. And if you are also under the age of 25, they will charge you extra for the young driver’s fee. Though going on a spontaneous journey is somewhat romantic, I would urge you to hold back your inner wanderlust and use Google’s “My Maps” function to plan out your road trip. Luckily for us (or our designated-driver friends), the English also drive on the left hand side, just like in Thailand. The traffic is not ever as bad as the claustrophobic nightmare of Bangkok’s cramped roads, there are no swarms of motorcycles meandering their way through the tight gaps

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between cars, and the silky smooth highways are always well-maintained. You will, however, need to familiarise yourself with the roundabouts and the small roads in remote places. Although this may slow you down, but it does give you some extra time to enjoy the view.

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our few years studying in the UK won’t last as long as you may think; before you know it, you’ll be a student going into her last year, not wanting to graduate and wishing you had more time to explore.

Don’t graduate with regrets, go out and find your journey’s end; wondrous times await.

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EX P L O RI N G L O NDO N Nuttaporn Norakim (Snow), 1st year Financial Mathematics, University of Kent

Almost two millennia ago, the Romans founded a settlement upon the river Thames and named it Londinium. At its foundation, the newborn metropolis only occupied an area of 1.4 square kilometers; the size of present-day Hyde Park. Over time, however, what was once a meager port town became a leading global city and the most populous of western Europe, surpassing Paris some time in the 17th century. Crowned as the world’s largest financial center, London now trumps even the untamed concrete jungles of New York City.

do not underestimate the capability of Airbnb as it has proven to be a cardinal aid on my trip. Myself and four friends rented a place in zone 3, relying mostly on the tube as well as the occasional uber.

“Zone 3” refers to one of the designated tube fare areas, starting from zone 1 at the crux of Greater London, reaching outwards in layers up until zone 9. While remarkable in its efficiency, every now and then, London’s underground tube system can lead one or two negligent visitors astray. So do make sure that you know where you want to get off before hopping onto any old line, or you might find yourself lost in the midst of the city.

The architecturally captivating skyline brings with it an unexpected nostalgia of the olden days of this ever-evolving ancient. In itself, a walk down the divergent streets of London has a charismatic air; the glamour of the well-dressed passersby, the eye-catching stores and restaurants, a paradise in the eyes of the easily enticed.

Though the city pulls us in with its seductive charm, we must be very careful as one often finds that, in this glittering metropolis, money does indeed fly.

Napoleon once said that “an army marches on its stomach”. A quote which, regardless of his eventual defeat, still holds true. London is a utopia of international cuisine, a place where the yearning of any gastronomic souls can be quenched. One can find just about anything here, from elegant fine-dining to revitalizing authentic Thai food. Here, dessert shops are rarely boring and always a delightful touch to any evenings I spent craving sweets. And despite the city’s extensive urbanization, street markets are still seen here and there.

As with any visitations, a careful choice of accommodation for your stay is imperative.

For any aspiring budgeteers reading,

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Strolling down these heavily scented boulevards is one of my favorite things to do; it gives a glance into the local taste without the unneeded layers of ornamental decoration.

cartoonish fashion. The decrepit structures and forgotten alleyways, the old and the grey; places I often found my camera-equipped self being drawn to during my stay. But that is the real London.

Imperfect, and yet bewitching.

Being every shopaholic’s dream destination, the endless avenues of London are worth anyone's time for some light exploration.

Arguably the world’s most famous shopping spot, Harrods houses a luxurious selection of designer items, each complete with its own wallet-ripping price tag. A little note for the thrifty minds, there are free perfume samples in the restrooms, if you ever need a quick squeeze or two. Though other distinguished locations, such as Soho and Oxford Street, do exist, my personal adoration is with the forever-lovely streets of Camden Market. Its visitors circulating the vein-like streets, gushing in and out of the boutique stores and food booths, giving life to the market itself. One of the many hidden gems of Camden Market is a Dr Martens store, whose employed artists are there to hand draw and give your boots a personalized touch, free of charge. So why not drop by and spice up your pair?

Some may be wondering how I could’ve kept my silence on the more prominent attractions of London; namely Big Ben, the London Eye, and many more. Two things. One, the expenses of getting atop one of these monumental structures, just to see a view you could see elsewhere for free, are not worth the pretty penny. Two, due to their unrivalled popularity and demand, their queues tend to stretch far over the threshold of logic and sanity.

Instead, spend your time questing for the lucky finds of the city, no matter how few and far between they may be. Captivating acts of street performers. Ambitious voices of ambitious singers. Let yourself fall under the spell of these dreamers and you may find yourself some contentment yet.

My 5 days and 4 nights of wandering through London was a trek by its own right. Conquering several parks and street markets, my adventure, though now a cherished memory, was one worthy of recommendation. But that was just my experience in London, how will yours turn out?

Despite all this talk of luscious food joints and ravishing stores, London is not the perfect utopia I may have painted it to be.

Some filthy pavements here and there, some dimly lit backstreets every now and then; the occasional dust ball making its way across the road, in a very much

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CO RN WA L L Nuttaporn Norakim (Snow), 1st year Financial Mathematics, University of Kent

Photo from Cereal magazine

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Cornwall. The gem of the English sea; a south-western English county surrounded by the Celtic and English Channel. Its greenery refreshing and its beaches breathtaking. One can always find poetic ways to describe the scenery waiting there, though it is possibly best for me to move on.

My trip to Cornwall started at St. Ives, then to Penzance, Land’s End, and all the way to St. Michael’s Mount. Though the ideal duration of visit for Cornwall would be about one week, my own getaway only lasted for 3 days and 2 nights. Cornwall has access to the Great West Railway (GWR - of which the advised way to tour Cornwall was either up or down it), only St. Ives and Penzance are connected by the rail.

Thus, if neither you nor your friends have yet to gain the appropriate driver’s license, and you don’t fancy breaking the law, the bus is your only friend; and what a good friend it was, at least to a directionally-challenged mind like myself.

“Atlantic Coaster”, the tourism company whose bus I used and recommend. All I needed to do was to download their bus timetable and left the rest to the magic of google maps. Their one-week bus ticket can be bought online for about £35, which, together with accommodation costs and my other survivalistic needs, summed to be a little over £100 spent on the trip.

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DAY 1

St . Ives Getting to St. Ives, we hopped on the St. Ives Bay Line; a charming railway, well-known for its alluring scenic beauties, diminished only by the unkempt conditions of the trains themselves. Thinking back, I remember being jam-packed into the train, my face pushed against the wall, feeling impressed only by the efficiency in packing and nothing more; not until St. Ives came into sight, at least.

the coastline is the first contender for visitation, there are other attractions this town has to offer; an example of which is the Barbara Hepworth museum, dedicated to one of the few female artists of her time to gain international recognition. With your long-awaited trips out to the sea, and your sights aimed seaward to the great wide blue, you might get to see a dolphin or two, if your luck holds; if not, there will always be seagulls who will love you for your scraps, though feeding them is not recommended.

Personally, I spent my sunlight hours indulging myself in my more childish desires; climbing rocks, building sand castles, and, relaxing under the sky with my back to the vast sea of sand.

An enchanting town and, if attempted, one that can be explored in its entirety within a single day. St. Ives is a town alive with vigor, the kind of energy that swept me along with its fervor of excitement, ballooning my delight to a point where containing it was difficult at best. The white sandy beach, refined and elegant, could seduce any wild souls to strip off and rush down to the cool emerald sea. And luckily, I’m sure, for some of our concerned readers rightfully worrying about the lack of mention of food, the streets are lined with restaurants. Though

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DAY 2 Land’s End a nd Mi na c k T h e a tre Further south of St. Ives is Land’s End, the edge of the earth. The path felt endless, and my legs were seemingly incapable of stopping. The mesmerizing spectacle was almost magical; a fantasia of color and ambience. It drew me in ever closer, but strong gusts of wind pulled me out of the rabbit hole and placed me back into reality. As treacherous as the edge sounds, safe passages and barriers are present to ensure the safety of travelers like you and I. And for those who fancy themselves to be photogenic, with the scenery of Land’s End at your corner, the photos taken here could trump any old profile pictures you may wish to replace.

side shows, and two restaurants (devastating, I know). And if you were to visit the same restaurant as I did, out of care and kindness of yours truly, I would advise against ordering the goat cheese tian. Oh and did I mention that these fantastical sights and spots are free? Surely this would make it a destination worthy for your bucket list! Because it certainly was for mine.

My second stop of the day was the Minack theatre in Porthcurno. A historic seaside performance on a stage carved into the face of the granite cliff, overlooking Porthcurno bay. In its entirety, the theatre was created by an aspiring actress; her love for the arts gives the stage an unrivalled romance of passion and devotion.

Like any tourist hotspots, the entrance is guarded by souvenir shops, amiable street

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DAY 3 Last and possibly least, we got to Penzance. To me, the town was rather sedated and pale compared to my previous destinations. Unlike St. Ives, it was not filled with vibrant shops or a lively town center. Its coastline was but a boundary of land and sea, without a beach for me or my sand castles. Not to mention the fact that each attractions were just out of reach from one another without a car. Though my words may seem harsh on this place, its list of accommodations and restaurants was perhaps enough to redeem some of its less desired qualities.

Penzanc e and St. Mic h a e l’s Mou nt

http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/south_west/assets/st_michaels_mount2.jpg

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Picking a restaurant from all the contenders was no simple task. The champion of my choosing, however, was “The Bakehouse”.

Each dish was prepared with care and elegance, each bite flavorful and scrumptious. A factor that you should be aware of is that some hotels and restaurants may lure you into booking or making a reservation beforehand as they claim they will be too busy later on. However in my situation there was not a single soul around at the supposedly busy hotel “later on”.

So do take care as to not let this hinder your chances of eating the wonderful range of food on offer. In contrasting this may differ during peak seasons.

The next day we caught a bus to St. Michael’s Mount. A ravishing castle ground connected to the mainland only by a single bridge. A bridge which, on high tide, becomes submerged and isolated the now lonesome castle. The colossal garden, carpeting most of the castle grounds, was truly an ideal place for delights such as picnics and games.

At its heart was the castle; exquisite in nature, extravagant in design. On the return trip a boat was needed, as what was once a Mount has been transfigured into an island. Magic indeed.

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SINGLE TAKEN HUNGRY

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LOND ON EAT S A Student Budget-Friendly Guide

by Pim Wanglee, 2nd year LLB, King’s College London

A TASTE OF HOME Taste of Siam, Camden $ For those on a tight budget but a wide stomach, Taste of Siam has buffet sets to satisfy your Shabu-shabu cravings. They even have a Thai supermarket next door so you could stock up on ingredients for a bit of home cooking.

Thai Tho, Soho $$ Aside from the various Thai dishes you can get here, the main reason that students frequent Thai Tho so much is for its karaoke rooms.

These are reasonably priced and can ensure you a great time with a group of friends any day of the week.

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ASIAN INVASION Lao Café, Covent Garden $$ What stands Lao Café apart from the others is how it specialises in authentic, fresh, punchy flavours from your favourites back home.

Tumm, Laab, Mor Fai, you name it, they have it. Zaab ee-lhee der ka.

Po Cha, Waterloo $ Easy and casual. The no-brainer choice to satisfy your K-cuisine needs. The spicy pork belly and the kimchi jjigae are a must try!

Eat Tokyo $$ It’s no secret London has a shortage of fresh Japanese food compared to the tsunami of sushi in Bangkok. Eat Tokyo is a combination of quality and reasonable pricing that is rare in other restaurants.

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Trashcan Treasures

Four Seasons, Leicester Square $$ Chinatown is a place worth frequenting; if not for the food, then for the great bustling atmosphere that is reminiscent of Yaowarat. Four Seasons is a sure favourite for student gatherings, with their famous roast duck as number one on the order list.

Honest Burgers $$ Another noteworthy burger chain.

Honest Burgers gives you the full monty. They’ve got all kinds of burgers, sides, fries and alcohol to keep you buzzed for more. Throw away those kale chips and give this restaurant a visit now!

Five Guys $ Level up your junk food game with Five Guys. This burger joint is not for the faint of heart but for boldtongued diners. They also have “little burgers” and a veggie option for those of you not officially on “cheat days”.

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KINGLY COURT Kingly Court in Carnaby is a personal favourite of mine and it’s basically a food utopia right in the middle of London. They have got a three-storied balcony of restaurants for you to peruse, but my top three would have to be:

Patty & Bun $$ For a fresher take on the burger train, Patty & Bun specialises in experimental cocktails and creates a real grimy, hip vibe in their limited space. Their Lambshank Redemption burger and Ari Gold cheeseburger are both worthy of an Oscar for best leading actor in a menu.

Le Bab $ A hidden Mediterranean gem with food worth more than it’s priced.

Tip:

Señor Ceviche $$ A sassy Peruvian spot that just completely blows your palette away (in a good way).

Dishoom $$ Indian classics with a twist for a quick, exotic and spice-y getaway.

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UberEats is not as cheap as you might think. Why not roam the great capital city and explore the culinary gems of London? Home cooking is also a great way to stay within your budget, and you could even discover the hidden Gordon Ramsay in you!

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Cred it s Chief Designer Tanaporn Supavarasuwat (Bee) Designer Issariyaporn Chotitawan (Kyrah) Editor in Chief Napon Tang-Aromsuk (Kie) Editors Koichi Kanaboshi Panutsaya Liewchalermwong (Arfa) Pimthong Wanglee (Pim) Prim Phucharoenyos Chawin Chalisarapong (Win) Sahdev Phawa Natasha Pocock