One of Matilda’s main objectives is to support people on their journey to realise their dreams. Therefore, we would like to invite all of you to a conversation with one of the Foundation’s student loan recipients today. “Kla”, or Jaturaporn Nusati, is the first person who’s going to study abroad with Matilda program ‘Break Your Boundary’ since the Foundation was established in 2022. His destination for his Master’s Degree is at EDHEC Business School in MiM Business Management, France. Currently, he is waiting for his academic year to begin in September 2023.
“Hello Kla, would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?”
“Hello. My name is Kla, and I am planning to continue my studies in France. I’m interested in film and media, and will study about Data Analytics in order to contribute to this industry in Thailand in the future.”
Kla was born and raised in Bangna (A district in Bangkok). His mother is from Bangkok and worked as a seller in the market while his father was from Ayutthaya and moved to Bangkok in order to make a living. When Kla was in Mattayom 5 (Year 11), his father’s health deteriorated and subsequently passed away, so his mother had to step up and take on the breadwinner role of the family, which included paying for Kla and his sibling’s tuition until they both entered universities.
“I tried my best to make sure I get into Chulalongkorn University,” because not only that it is one of Thailand’s leading universities, but it is also located in Bangkok. By studying in Chulalongkorn, Kla wouldn’t have to move out to stay in a dormitory and his mother wouldn’t be left alone at home.
“I studied Communications Designs, which is part of the Faculty of Architecture. At that time, I was interested in the creative aspects of filmmaking. It was my passion for a time.” However, when Kla got the opportunity to intern and experience the actual work on the ground, he soon found the financial limitations in this labour-intensive field. The income that could be earned were not in line with his financial responsibilities. When he later moved up the ladder as a Creative Director, the same contradiction remained. “I felt that I didn’t have the privilege to simply follow my dreams without any concerns about my income, so I became aware since my final year at the university that I have to gravitate more towards management and analysis sectors.”
Upon graduation, Kla had the opportunity to work as a Project Manager at Design Studio, which was in line with what he studied for his Degree, albeit with more focus on management rather than design. He subsequently progressed on to work with Shoppee as a business analyst.
In Kla’s views, the market has demands for business analysts because information is what moves the world today, and those who are able to analyse information can make good business decisions. This sector still has room to grow and will also enable Kla to make long term financial plans. “…and I think it can still go a long way. I want to go as far as I can in this field, so I began planning to further my studies abroad…”
Currently, Kla is waiting for his academic year in France to begin. “I’m going to study Master in Management. It’s a dual degree with Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at EDHEC Business School, which has a gap year option between the first and the second year to intern at two companies for six months each.” Because the nature of the program starts with management, it accommodates Kla’s wish to lay a firm foundation on business management before continuing on to more specific studies on Data. Kla believes that the value added of data knowledge and skills will make him a more competitive candidate to companies compare to just management skills alone.
Apart from his stories that made him the first recipient of the Break Your Boundary student loan program, Kla also has qualities and principles that are aligned with Matilda’s values.
Matilda values: Mindful / Thirsty / Determined (Is self-aware, has strong desire to do something, and is determined)
We cannot go forward if we don’t know where we want to go. When we spoke to Kla, one of the most notable qualities we saw was that he has great self-awareness and a strong desire and determination to take himself to environments that are conducive to his own growth and development. It was clear to us that he wants to be in a more secure position in life. “It has always been my dream to study abroad because I always have to compete for everything in life. Since I was a kid I knew that whatever I want to be, I have to bring myself there, and I have the goal to take myself abroad to further my studies. I think people who wants to apply for Matilda student loan has to be sure about what their goals are. They have to know the field of studies that they want to pursue and have clear plans. I think these are what Matilda is looking for.”
Past deficiencies are his drive, but they are not his ultimate goals. “My goal for the next 5 – 10 years is to move closer towards managerial level. I hope that studying abroad will be a stepping stairs upwards for me regardless of whether I return to Thailand or remain abroad. I want to live without having the financial worries that I have now. I want to be in a position where I can negotiate for the benefits that I should receive.” “What I fear the most is the financial insecurity because I have to take care of my mother. Even if I go study abroad, I still have to return to take care of her.”
Furthermore, Kla also reflected with us that he wants to use his experience to create better opportunities for Thais at the international level. Inequality is still endemic in Thailand and only a handful of people can afford to further their studies abroad. Kla would like to overcome this barrier of inequality and gain more experience in order to raise his own competitiveness in larger arenas. “Studying abroad will put me in a position where I can survive in the global market.”
Matilda values: Altruistic / loving to others (Has empathy for others and ready to pass the love forward.)
In Kla’s view, “the most important thing a person can give to anyone is an ‘Opportunity’. If I didn’t receive the opportunities that I had, I would never be able to come this far. I feel lucky because, compare to others, I can come so far from where I was because others have always handed me the opportunities.” When he chose to apply for a student loan program with Matilda, he did not hesitate when he saw the long-term commitment to pay back to Matilda. He decided to choose Matilda over other programs because, “It’s a fair system that allows me to pass the opportunities forward to others when I’m ready.”
Matilda values: Inquisitive (Curious, ask questions, and search for the answers)
Inquisitiveness brings forth life’s answers – Kla’s clear goals and his consistent determination to search for information and ways to achieve those goals were what brought us together. “Actually I began planning since last year (2021). I found Matilda’s announcement about the program during that time.” “Other scholarship programs have requirements about what I must do upon completion of my studies. For example, I may have to work for certain places, or they might impose limitations about the field of studies that may have to align with my past Degree.” For Kla, Matilda’s strong feature is, “I like the flexibility the most. My main concern was that my past academic and work experience are different from the one that I want to pursue, so it was difficult for me to get scholarships from other programs. However, Matilda is different. With Matilda, I can continue my studies in any field regardless of my past academic or work experiences. That’s why I think Matilda was most suitable for me.”
Kla’s search for answers will continue in France, “I am excited about the approaching experience of studying abroad. I want to try living abroad at least once in my life. I want to try to live on my own, so that I can find out what I like and who I really am in the world.”
Matilda values: Accountable (Being responsible)
Matilda’s Break Your Boundary program is not given for free without any commitment, but it is rather a loan given upon an agreement that the recipient has to pay back in order to pass on the same opportunities to the generations that follow. “Matilda’s recruitment process is different from other programs because the candidates has to prepare a “practical repayment plan” along with their applications. I searched how people request loans from the backs and used the same forms that they use. I wrote at the back of my application, because I wasn’t sure if I did it correctly, that I can adjust my plan if there is a mistake.”
Kla told us his opinion with regards to this, “Actually I’m not pressured about the repayment at all because before I applied with Matilda, my previous plan was to apply for a loan to study anyway…At the end I chose Matilda after considering the criteria that fit with all my requirements, including the fact that there would be no interest on the loan.”
Of course all of us are diverse. Even Matilda’s values namely, Mindful, Altruistic, Thirsty, Inquisitive, Loving to Others, Determined, and Accountable that are present in everyone’s characters are featured at different levels and shades. The Matilda Foundation would also like to see the next Matilda Scholarship recipient have their own unique shades of these values.
As for Kla, the Matilda’s value he sees as most evident in his character is, “My strongest point is that I know myself. I know what I want and I know what I need to do. For example, I knew that I want to study abroad since I was in high school, I knew since primary school that I have to study math-science in high school, and I knew that in order to receive better opportunities, I have to take myself to a university that can provide me with those opportunities. When I got into Chulalongkorn University, I saw even more opportunities for growth by continuing my studies abroad and I felt that I finally have a chance to realise my dreams. I’ve always known what I want and I know that my final goal is to be happy in life without having financial limitations that dictate what I do. I am now in the process to following my plans in order to reach that goal.”For the Matilda Foundation, Kla is a wonderful example of someone who is mindful and self-aware, as well as having a clear plan and determination to achieve his goals without fearing the potential disappointments. His path may not seem easy, but he has the persistence to see it through. He questions and searches for ways to make his inabilities become abilities, and does not hesitate to take actions. Our Matilda team could feel Kla’s positive energy and hope that his story can inspire and reignite the dreams in your hearts too. No matter what academic and work experiences you have, regardless of your age or history, Matilda’s ‘Break Your Boundary’ program leaves our door open for everyone. We only ask you to be confident and ready to take determined actions, and willing to pass on the opportunities to others following along on the same path.
You can read further details of Break Your Boundary program at our
Website and follow the announcement calling for the 2023 applications at our social media platforms
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