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 Karnjariya Sukrung |
But do not lose heart. There is a way one can overcome such financial gridlock — I refer to scholarships. Each year, there are a number of prestigious scholarships available for Thai hopefuls. They can be funded by government or state companies, committal or non-committal, partial or fully funded.
In addition to granting free and recognised education, a scholarship also serves as a sort of honour or distinction on your CV.
Among many scholarships, I chose to apply for the post-graduate scholarship under the British Chevening Scholarships Scheme. I picked this scholarship (and luckily was chosen to get it too) because I could choose my field of study, social anthropology, and there was no professional attachment with the funding organiser, the British Government.
Since 1983, this annual scholarship scheme has allowed more than 250 young Thai professionals to study MA or diploma courses in the UK in a variety of fields of their choice, such as law, economics, politics, environments, social sciences, anthropology, journalism, psychology, telecommunications, engineering, health management.
 Akapol Sorasuchart |
Previous successful scholars include Democrat MP Akapol Sorasuchart, the late wildlife activist Sueb Nakasathien, journalist Karuna Buakamsri and Sunai Phasuk of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. But the British Ambassador, Barney Smith, said he wants to see more talented young professionals taking part in this scholarships scheme, which is now accepting applications.
"We want young Thai professionals to gain skills and experiences which will benefit both them personally and their home country,'' said Barney Smith.
Each year, up to 30 promising Thais from 400 applicants will be chosen to receive full funding (worth about one million baht) for their education in the UK. This covers all expenses from a return airfare to tuition, book and clothing allowances and monthly living expenses.
This rather generous coverage allows scholars to concentrate on their study and, as the representatives of British Council in London who administered my stint usually put it, "we want you to learn hard and as well play hard".
That sounded inconceivable to me at first, but as a year progressed I and other scholars knew it was so. It was a memorable year of hard work, fun and friendship, a life and career enhancing experience.
British Education
Earning a scholarship is not as hard as earning a higher degree in the UK. Many students who have been in the water said it was tough and demanding. Scholarship candidates should be aware of that and prepared. A Master degree in the UK takes only one year so one can imagine how crammed it can be. And to be more accurate, asserted the Democrat MP Sorasuchart, it is six months for lectures and seminars, three months for papers and exams and the remaining three months for a dissertation. Unlike the Thai educational system which is highly criticised for its "spoon-feeding", students in British institutions have to help themselves in searching for knowledge.
"My first days back to college were strange and following lectures was hard. I felt working was much easier," chuckled a soft-spoken MP Akapol who earned an MA in International Studies and Diplomacy at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
"I needed a lot of adjustment. The education there requires students to do their own research and reading before classes. The reading lists were very long. I spent the most time in the library — reading. But at the end of the day, I was happy that I learned a lot in a year," he smiled.
 Atchara Shayakul |
Another suggestion for successful study comes from Atchara Shayakul, chief of the International Affairs Section, office of the National Human Rights Commission who took her MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights at the University of Essex.
"For students who go to study in foreign countries, I think it is important that we have adequate knowledge about our own society, especially in our area of study. We are not going there to passively get what they lecture, we should think that we go there to exchange our knowledge and experience. And we have to be able to analyse and choose what suits our country's environment most."
"Besides, preparing for classes helps in sharing our knowledge and experiences fruitfully with lecturers and classmates which really makes studying fun and fulfilling," she said.
Apart from discussion seminars, another hurdle Thai students have to grapple with is extended essays. Many courses involve writing essays every week and dissertations as a final work, all of which demand students to show their critical and analytical thinking on the issues and to express their ideas in a sophistically well written essay.
 Sunai Phasuk |
"I had to do assignments every week," said Sunai Phasuk, an MA International Studies graduate from the University of Warwick. "This forced me to put my brain through a wringer. Each week, I was forced to research critical issues on foreign policies and write a 2,500-word essay, all within two days. Then, it was quite stressful but now I see it as good training. It forced me to do analysis within a time limitation which obviously is what I need in my job."
Extra activities
The scholarships scheme also arranges several extracurricular activities related to the scholars' careers. The activities not only enhance the participants' experiences and worldviews but also provide them a chance to exchange with and befriend scholars from other countries.
I and other media professionals under the same scheme from several countries were invited to tour the House of Parliament where I had a chance to see Tony Blair in the flesh during his weekly Prime Minister's answer session, which looked really dramatised.
 Suphanvasa Chotikajan |
Also, I was invited to lunch and discussed politics with some English MPs. I sipped afternoon tea with the peers (senators) in the exclusive place in the historic parliament. Some other media scholars had a chance to take part in the United Nations simulated conference called Municep in New York. Scholars from different careers were offered other activities. Suphanvasa Chotikajan, First Secretary, Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, said she had diplomatic tours in many European countries during her course, the Foreign Service Programme at Oxford.
Such get-togethers built mutual connections and friendships. "Still these days, I maintain contact with classmates and friends I met in England," said Akapol. "We continue to share thoughts about world affairs and meet sometimes when I go abroad on diplomatic missions.". Sunai, Atchara and Suphanvasa agreed.
Exposure to British cultures
Cultural exposure is another good point one can claim for studying and living abroad. Apart from daily routine of college and home (or shopping and travelling within the city), the Chevening Scheme also encourages scholars to take part in the programme called "Host UK"; whereby students can choose to visit any region in the UK on a homestay. This, they said, would give them more exposure to a variety of cultures. Expenses for travel, accommodation and food are all on the scholarship organiser and the host family. Plus, the trips are not limited; one can do any number of visits.
I asked for a three-day visit in Wales during Christmas. Living in a Buddhist country and seeing all Christmas rituals and goodies on telly, I always wanted to experience it once in my lifetime. I was warmly welcomed by a Welsh family who lived in a converted, Middle Ages horse barn sitting at the foot of the still-green hills with some patches of snow. The home-cooked turkey, Christmas pudding and a sip of Port, along with exchanges of presents really fulfilled my dream. I still had my trips listed to Scotland, Ireland, and central England but in the end, I could manage only a week-long trip to the immaculate beauty of highland Scotland, using savings from the given allowances.
Returning home
Upon returning home, many Chevening scholars resume their careers in their former offices. They say the knowledge and experiences cultivated in a year helps them a lot in their work.
According to Akapol, International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS enabled him to better fulfil his demanding political profession. "Education was such a good way to spend time after working for a while. It enriched my perspectives and complemented my career. I used all of what I learned at SOAS in what I was assigned, such as projects on IMF, WTO or economic problems in Latin America."
Atchara who is working for the office of the National Human Rights Commission said the skills, knowledge and connections she earned from the UK could not be more useful.
"During the time I was applying for a scholarship in 1999, the movement for human rights was rising but state personnel with keen knowledge and understanding of the issue were scarce, making it impossible to catch up with the movement."
"So I chose to study MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights at the University of Essex.
"So now, it is most useful for me at work."
| TIPS FOR APPLICATION PROCESS |
| If you would like to share similar memorable experiences and prestiges, the following are some tips to help you make an impressive application. These can be applied to any scholarship scheme. First and perhaps most important, before getting to the application form ,you are advised to do is to discern seriously your study and life goal.
"Know what you really want to study and the directions in which you will use your knowledge in your future career,'' said Atchara. "Having a firm grip on your goals will allow you to present clear application statements and interview sound convincing for the committee, thus meaning a higher chance to win the scholarship.'' After knowing what to study, the next step then, advised Sunai is to know where to study. "Each school has its own style and approach to teaching. So one should research courses and colleges beforehand. Choose the one that you think most suits you and will be most beneficial to you and your future career." In my case, I am interested in the affairs and cultures of Asia. So I chose to study social anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies where the main emphasis of all fields is on Asia and Africa. Learning there, I had a chance to examine many issues related to countries in those two continents, including Thailand. For a course in International Relations, Sunai chose the University of Warwick as he said it offered a strong critical approach to international affairs which he found lacking in Thai educational institutions. Lastly, Sunai suggested sharpen your English skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. For those whose English proficiency is still weak, there is still time to prepare, the scholarships are on offer every year. If not this year, there will be next. If not this scholarship, there are still many others. Keep looking and working for it. For more information: Deadline for applications is September 15. The application form can be downloaded from www.britishemb.or.th/political/scholar.htm or www.britishcouncil.or.th Alternatively, pick up a copy of the application form at the British Council or the reception desk at the British Embassy. |
terryfrd@ksc15.th.com |