Pan Pan Narkprasert (Pan)

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:52:37 +0700

Pan Pan Narkprasert (Pan) is still studying Art History at the University of California at Los Angeles. He was recently one of six artists chosen to be represented in an exhibition entitled: “Under the Radar; Undergrads Do Art”. Pan felt displaying his drawings was like appearing naked in public, but recognised that this was an invaluable opportunity to get some exposure as an artist and observe their responses. “I believe that art is an area I can turn to in times of need, depression to disillusionment in life. The paper is there to let me release my frustrations and the pencil allows me to resolve those issues.”

‘At first glance one sees lips, birds and fish locked into the orbit of their self-created universe….On closer inspection, Pan’s work becomes a highly personalised stream of consciousness where every curvilinear line emerging from his work is fraught with emotional significance and strife.’

Pailin Aramthanapon (Phung)

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:51:59 +0700

Pailin Aramthanapon (Phung) finished her first degree last summer with a BA (Hons) 2:1 in Accounting and Finance from the University of Kent. She had a wonderful time in Canterbury where the university is based, once she had got used to such a small city and rural surroundings. It has the most important cathedral in England, commanding the centre of the city, stemming back over 1500 years. Now she has moved to the capital, however, doing her Masters at the Cass Business School, City University, one of the top UK business schools, and is having to get used to the busy, noisy throngs of London.

Pavee

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:44:46 +0700

As I cycle through the small city of Cambridge every morning, I see all sorts of people. Some are rushing to their infamous 9am lectures while others are just sitting down, inside a nicely heated, rain-proof room, drinking their morning cup of coffee. One thing that has never failed to amaze me is the different colours of scarves people have. Each college in the University of Cambridge has its own official scarf and it is a great privilege to be able proudly to own one.

Saying that life at Cambridge is different is a mere understatement, having lived in a city inhabited by over 6 million. Not only is the way of life different, but so is the learning process. Students are expected to conduct some of the studies themselves rather than being taught everything in the scheduled lectures and supervisions. Although the A-Levels at Shrewsbury were a wonderful preparation for further education in the UK and anywhere else in the world, the workload at degree level is very different, as one might expect. Sleepless nights due to work are not at all uncommon or unexpected. Then, waking up at 4pm on a Saturday from a shattered week, wondering whether it is the morning or the afternoon can also be regularly expected in winters.

The first year of my Cambridge experience have flown by. During that time, I have met countless new faces, experienced new cultures and learnt new things that I would never have come across in Thailand. These range from my Polish lab partner, my next door neighbour from a Royal Grammar school in Buckinghamshire, a few students from Shrewsbury School, England, including one who seems to be able to play the piano upside down, to punting and facebook.com. The next three years will be a rewarding and a very unforgettable experience, and if I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

Ben

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:44:08 +0700

Imperial College lies on a site of great historical importance. Bounded by the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park, it was here, in 1851, that the Great Exhibition, an engineering exposition organised by Prince Albert was held. This exhibition attracted some of the greatest engineers, scientists and pioneers of the day. This area still does act as an intellectual magnet, for Imperial College formed here shortly after the event. So what makes Imperial College so special? The glass façade on Exhibition road, the incredible location amongst the diverse museums or the prestigious location in London? I believe it's the inspiring feeling you get, being taught by professors leading their respective fields. It is also the range of people you meet here; people from places scattered across the globe, drawn to the UK by the highly reputable British Universities, and all with your common interest. Being in the centre of London has its benefits; there are the theatres, the restaurants, the bars, the nightclubs; the list goes on and on. The halls are conveniently located, putting me on London's doorstep; a quick walk to the tube and then on to Piccadilly, or a relaxing stroll through Hyde Park to university. My two years at Shrewsbury International were well spent; they helped me achieve my goals. A vibrant city, an inspirational university and an unrivalled location: what more could you want?

Jane

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:34:43 +0700

My first day in Oxford was filled with excitement, worry and all the feelings that you could possibly think of....However, after a day, I felt a little bit better as I met more people and found out that people in Oxford are very nice and friendly. Also, the college’s accommodation is very impressive; my room is big and really homely.

Oxford has a collegiate system in which many colleges make up the University of Oxford. I'm in Lady Margaret Hall, which is quite large. It has big gardens, 3 tennis courts, lots of buildings (though not too many) and the University Park is just nearby. I have full access to all the books 1 could ever want to read (there are 39 college libraries as well as the main university ones) plus all the activities in which I would want to participate, such as choirs and orchestras of high quality. These give me valuable experiences in music. Sports are also dominant in Oxford, especially rowing, which I find especially enjoyable.