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A First-Honored Student Has Never Stopped Making History
Romtham Khumnurak, a first honoured BEC student, BEC Committee, and Student Committee, who has always balanced his study and has done activities is now a postgraduate student at Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China with full scholarship from Communist government. He, so-called Waii, is ready to share his experiences on how to manage work life balance towards his success. Now, let’s begin.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Romtham Khumnurak. A bachelor graduate from BEC, TU. I’m currently studying in International of Master of Business Administration (IMBA), Emerging Markets Institute, Beijing Normal University, Beijing China. I like to balance my life both studying and extra activities such as student activities, sports, traveling, photography, singing, etc. I don’t see myself as a businessman. I see more of myself to be a person who wants to participate in developing my country. I am currently interested in environmental, educational and economic issues.
What attract you to study in China?
I want to study in China because China is the country that everyone must learn from. China is one of the fastest growing country in the world. Chinese government is able to transform the country from the scratch to be the economic powerhouse (2nd largest economy in the world) in just 40 years (China’s economic reform in 1978).
China is developing its country very fast in term of economic, infrastructure, people’s welfare and etc. However, in terms of development, China and its people also has, problems, challenges and something to give up such as human rights, environmental issues, inequality and etc. These are the big problems that China is trying hard to cope with them. The more interesting thing about China to us is their political system. As we know China is communist. The communist party has full control over the country, medias, people, etc. However, Communist Party of China is able to lift up and develop its country with 1.3 billion people in the country in just 40 years.
This might be controversial for us but people are having better life in China. Today China is one of the most powerful country in the world. Their international strategy, “Belt and Road Initiative” or what we know as 21st century silk road, which aim to create better connection and cooperation between china and the world, will lead China to be the most powerful nation in the world in the near future. There are so many things a person or country can learn from China.
How do you get this scholarship?
China is giving out so many scholarships through Chinese government scholarship, Confucius institution scholarship, and etc. For my scholarship, I applied for Chinese government scholarship. My scholarship is from Ministry of Commerce of China. Students who are interested can also find information about scholarship in China online.
What do you want to be in the future? Why?
I want to be a leader who is able to bring positive impact to the country. In the future, I want to be a politician or government official. I would like to be able to develop Thailand in terms of policy. As my interest is especially in environmental and education issues, I think Thailand still has this area to develop. I believe in sustainable development, the development that concerns people lives, environmental issues while also focuses on economic growth. However, before that I want to learn more about the problems in Thailand and learn about what solution is best applicable for Thailand.
8 May 2018
"I want to be the leader who bring positive impact to my country".
How do you manage your work life balance?
For me, it is important to work hard and play hard. I balance my work with entertainment. Work hard when you have to and you have to play hard to give yourself reward or to relax. Work is important but I believe that health is also as important (both mentally and physically). I have a lot of ways or hobbies to relax myself depends on the time I have such as jogging, singing, playing ukulele, taking photos, or traveling. Every day, I would give myself a little break to relax. For example, if I have classes all day or I’m working on assignment all day, I will give myself like one hour to jog outside. Sometimes when you are stress and continue to sitting in front of your stress, nothing will be better. What I do is I leave it and take time to relax. It helps boost energy. And sometimes It helps come up with better ideas and see the problems better.
What is your biggest challenge you came across, and how did you handle to it?
The challenges I came across is balancing my study and what I like to do at the same time. During my study in Bachelor degree in BEC, TU, I have been doing many extra student activities. I was a vice president of student committee of BEC, I was a member of student committee of Liberal Arts faculty, I was a member of AIESEC club, an international student organisation, and I also do many other student activities. At the same time, I also balance my study and get first honour degree for my bachelor degree. My big challenge was time management. Because for me, I believe in experience and knowledge outside the classroom. The way I handle it was to try hard and work hard to finish my work and assignment (as it is the number one priority) at first and then I also did student activities in the extra time.
What is your achievement in your life so far? and what’s next?
My achievement in life now is getting outstanding activity award, graduate bachelor degree with honour degree, get this scholarship to study master degree and get the job I love. I always believe that awards or certificates are not important but the experience you get from that award is the most important. However, awards and certificates sometimes can be the proof for your achievement. For me my achievement is that I can balance both study and what I want to do I received outstanding activity award for being vice president of student committee or BEC, and outstanding award for being a member of student committee of Liberal Arts Faculty, TU. I graduated bachelor degree with first class honour degree with GPA of 3.55. I also got this scholarship to study master degree in China while also get the job in Teach for Thailand, an NGO that work for education in Thailand. Their selection is considered to be one of the most difficult. My next goal and challenge would be to be able to learn about problem in Thailand, improve myself and to be able to make impact to Thailand’s education and environment.
Who is your inspiration to achieve your goal?
King Rama 9 is the person who I always look up to. His work, project and philosophy has helped so many Thais. Beside his work and project for Thai people, King Rama 9 also balance his work with other things such as sports or music. His Majesty is skilful in many areas. He could play many type of sports and musical instrument. A person who inspire me to achieve my goal is actually myself. My inspiration is that I want to be better every day. I love one Thai quote “อย่าใช้แรงบันดาลใจ จงใช้ใจบันดาลแรง” as I always use my heart, build my own motivation and, and put myself to do things. Inspiration and motivation are important but your willingness and your action is the most important.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” - Nelson Mandela.
Could you suggest any tips to both effectively study and do what you like?
I always know my priority and I always plan my work ahead. I have my schedule on calendar and on my phone. Priority and deadline of work are very important. Know what is more important what is urgent. I always have my phone alarm to remind myself of what I have to do each day and during different time. We all have equally 24 hours a day. Most of the time people waste their time being lazy (including me). I encourage everyone to plan ahead of what they have to do in each day and each time. So that everyone can have time to do what they like.
What would you see yourself in the next 3 years?
Next 3 years, I would like to see myself working about social work, working in NGO, being a professor or having my own social enterprise. As I am interested in education and environmental development, my career goal is to be a member of parliament. However, I want to experience in many field of work so that I will be able to learn about problem in Thailand more and develop myself at the same time. After graduate master degree, I will be working in Teach for Thailand, being a teacher in public school in rural area for 2 years. After that I also want to work in this social work field while also having my own Social Enterprise or NGO about environment or education.
“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change” - A part of man in the mirror lyrics- Michael Jackson.
I am so impressed and honoured to have him as an exclusive interviewee today. I couldn't agree more to invite him as my first person on my mind when I think of role model students who can bring changes to other students. I truly appreciate his story and his mission to succeed his goals and objectives in the future. More or less, I believe that this interview could inspire many people, at least me. He is one of our role model to feed you with both inspiration, and knowledge.