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The challenge I chose after giving up on the idea of attending a prestigious university!

エマリノ

From Grade 9 to a Boarding School in Thailand

Q: Among the many options available, why did you choose this particular school?

A: Initially, we weren’t set on Thailand. We considered schools in Malaysia and the Philippines as well. However, a friend highly recommended this school, and after looking into it, we realized it was an excellent choice. What ultimately convinced us was passing the entrance exam and, most importantly, the outstanding facilities. When we visited the campus, my mother felt reassured, thinking, “This is a place where we can entrust my child.”

Transitioning from a Japanese School to Overseas

Q: You mentioned that feeling confined in the Japanese school system made you want to study abroad. Did that make you homesick at all?

A: Not really.I found school life in Japan to be somewhat restrictive, and I wanted to experience attending an international school abroad on my own terms, so I didn’t feel particularly homesick. In fact, I believed that being exposed to a different culture would broaden my horizons and provide an opportunity for personal growth.

Why Japanese School Life Felt Confined

Q: What made you feel restricted in the Japanese school system?

A: After successfully passing the junior high school entrance exam, I enrolled in a highly sought-after junior high and high school, which ensured me a direct path to a prestigious university. Since it was a school with a rich history and tradition, there was an expectation that students would be able to perform at a certain average level in all areas. As I encountered more things I couldn’t accept, I started to feel the desire to change my environment.

Differences Between Japanese Schools and Thai International Schools & Favorite Things About the School

Q: Did you notice any differences between lessons in Japanese schools and the ones in your Thai international school?

A: Definitely. Depending on the grade level, class sizes can be fewer than 20 students.. You can’t fall asleep in class here (laughs). Depending on the grade, there are usually fewer than 20 students per class.

There’s also a difference in how lessons are conducted. Unlike Japanese schools, where you take detailed notes on everything, here we focus on summarizing the key points. There are also a lot of opportunities to participate actively through presentations, and we’re encouraged to express our own opinions.


Q: How are the friendships different?

A: The best thing about my Thai friends is that there are no taboos; I can discuss anything, from money to future plans. It’s nice to have such open communication.


Q: What do you like most about the school?

A: The teachers strike a balance between authority and friendliness, which makes them approachable. I also have strong connections with my dorm friends—we get along great. The school’s facilities are top-notch and luxurious, which I appreciate every day.


Q: Is there anything you wish the school could improve?

A: I miss the idea of school trips. Given how high the tuition is, I thought we’d have international trips, but the school’s focus is more on academics, so we don’t have them. Even the overnight excursions we do have are to places we could easily visit ourselves, so there’s not much excitement (laughs). It would be nice to go somewhere more special or far away.

Daily Schedule and After-School Activities

Q: How are the after-school activities?

A: School ends at 3:50 PM, and it’s mandatory to participate in after-school activities from 4 PM. We’re required to attend at least four times a week. I played volleyball three times a week and did a writing activity once a week. Unlike Japanese clubs, where you focus on one thing every day, here we can try different things, which is a great experience.


Q: Could you walk us through a typical day?

A: The dorm supervisor wakes us up with a “Good morning” at 6:30 AM. Breakfast is served buffet-style at 7:30, with sandwiches being a common choice.After that, we walk to school, where we have a meeting between 8 and 8:10. Following that, we attend five lessons, each lasting 1 hour and 10 minutes. School ends at 3:50 PM, and after that, we join our after-school activities for an hour.

Weekends and Vacations at Boarding School

Q: How do you spend your weekends in the dorm?

A: Among the boarding school students who live nearby, those in the area go home on weekends, so those of us who stay usually spend the mornings exercising. I often go to the gym, while younger students participate in special programs like cooking or sports. In the afternoons, we focus on studying in the self-study rooms.

If we want to go out, we can go shopping with school staff at a nearby mall. If we want to go out alone, we need permission from our guardians. The process involves contacting the school, so it’s not as free as it is in Japan.


Q: What do you do during vacation periods when you need to leave the dorm?

A: During holidays like Songkran, spring break, or autumn break, I stay with a guardian. Sometimes it’s the parents of other students, and previously, I stayed in a condo owned by a local real estate owner. I spent about a week there on my own. Occasionally, I return to Japan during holidays.

English Proficiency When Entering in Year 9

Q: What was your level of English when you started in Year 9?

A: I was basically a beginner, so much so that I couldn’t even pass the pre-2 level of the EIKEN exam. It’s funny looking back now (laughs).


Q: How has your English improved since then?

A: The school provides excellent English support, including group study sessions. Sometimes teachers would even sit next to me during class to help, making it easier to learn at my own pace. This support was crucial for improving my English. My listening skills improved relatively quickly, but writing required more effort on my part. It probably took about a year before I could hold conversations without any problems. Thanks


English Skills and Progress After Joining in Year 9

Q: Can you tell us about your English proficiency when you started studying abroad in Thailand in Year 9?

A: At that time, I was at a beginner level—about the kind that couldn’t even pass the Eiken Grade Pre-2 exam. It’s a bit of a funny story now! (laughs)


Q: How has your English improved since then?

A: The English support here is excellent, and we even had group study sessions. Sometimes, a teacher would sit next to me in class to help, which made learning at my own pace much easier. This supportive environment significantly contributed to improving my English. My listening skills improved fairly quickly, but writing definitely required more effort on my part. It took about a year to become fully comfortable with conversations. Thanks to daily lessons and all the support, I gradually gained confidence.


Safety and Personal Growth in Boarding Life

Q: How have you found the safety and handling of issues in boarding life?

A: So far, I haven’t encountered any problems. The students who stay in the dorm over the weekends are really close, and we support each other. I’m currently the head of the dorm, so if anything happens, I’d be the one to hear about it, but there haven’t been any issues.


Q: How do you feel you’ve grown through boarding life?

A: Yes, I’ve definitely improved in time management and budgeting. While the maids handle laundry and cleaning regularly, so my housekeeping skills haven’t developed much, I’ve gained more confidence in managing my time and money little by little.


Q: What are your thoughts on the level of freedom you have?

A: It’s true that being in boarding school means I have less freedom after school and on weekends compared to regular high school students in Japan. But Japanese schools didn’t suit me, so going back was never an option. The experiences I’m having here are far more valuable to me.


Future Academic Goals

Q: Can you share your plans after graduating this coming March?

A: After graduation, I’m hoping to attend university in either the UK or Australia. Eventually, I want to work for an international company, and my long-term goal is to start my own business. I’m good at both math and English, so I’d like to leverage those skills in the future.


Boarding Life with his friends and teachers

Reflections After the Interview

This interview began with a heartwarming message we received on our small Instagram account: “Is there anything I can help with?” It was this thoughtful gesture that led to the interview with an 18-year-old student currently attending a boarding school.

Despite his young age as a high school senior, his responses were sincere and mature. I couldn’t help but think, “I hope my own son grows up to be like this someday!” (laughs)

Though the title of this article might seem a bit dramatic, if my child, after working so hard to pass the entrance exam for a prestigious school, suddenly told me in the third year of middle school, “I want to study abroad,” could I support that as a mother?

This young man is remarkable, but what truly touched me was his mother’s unwavering support for his bold decision. While carefully considering her son’s future, she didn’t insist on the safe and conventional path, but instead chose to respect his wishes and watch over his new challenge. As a mother myself, I was deeply moved by her strength and grace.

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