Hello everyone,
The grades are out, so I’d like to share my reflections on my first semester as a Master’s student.
I’m quite pleased with my GPA—it’s higher than I expected! This is especially true since I approached several classes with a trial-and-error mindset. I even challenged myself by attending some classes without preparing beforehand (by not reading the articles uploaded to the class portal). Surprisingly, this turned out to be a lot of fun, especially in discussion-based classes. My classmates were diligent and well-prepared, which encouraged me to participate actively. By relying on the knowledge I had accumulated during my undergraduate studies and nearly a decade of work experience, I tried to engage by asking questions. Even when I didn’t know the answers, I raised my hand and admitted it, inviting my classmates and professors to share their insights. Sometimes, I pretended not to know the answers even when I did, just to hear their explanations and compare their perspectives to mine. This approach often sparked interesting discussions, turning into class highlights.
The most enjoyable subject for me ended up being the one I scored the lowest in (a B+): Statistics. I’ve never been a fan of math—I even cried during high school tutoring sessions because I couldn’t get the answers right. Yet in this class, I found joy in experimenting and practicing statistical calculations, predictions, and data analysis. I learned to process data in R for analysis and visualization, which proved useful for the final project and will undoubtedly benefit my future work. While I struggled a lot during exams, I sought help from senior Thai students and friends studying data science. I also relied on Indian YouTube tutors for extra practice, and one time, I even managed to score full marks!
I noticed that even when my calculations didn’t perfectly match the professor’s answers, they were more interested in my thought process and methodology. This shifted my perspective—I began to enjoy assignments where I could adapt and integrate my own learning into the work.
Another fascinating subject was Global Perspectives, which is part of the School of Management. The course title didn’t sound appealing since it was unclear what we’d actually study. However, after reading the syllabus and attending the classes, I realized it was exactly what I was hoping for in this program. Most of my classmates were MBA students with prior work experience. For our group project, I collaborated with three classmates on a real-world assignment in partnership with a South Korean startup specializing in cross-border real estate investment. Essentially, they help Americans buy property in South Korea and vice versa. This project felt like working in a completely new industry. I utilized consulting skills and legal knowledge from my previous career to contribute, and this ended up being the subject where I scored my highest grade (an A). But what delighted me more than the grade were the inspiring feedback from the professor and project partner, which deepened my interest in the real estate industry and other business sectors. I was motivated by the perspectives of those who really delved in their career and become household names in their respective industries.The other two mandatory courses this semester were International Trade and Development and Introduction to International Business and Trade. These introductory courses laid the foundation for our final projects or graduation theses. Both emphasized discussions, greatly enhancing my speaking and debating skills. I naturally enjoy asking questions and presenting counterarguments, which added to the class's liveliness. Sharing perspectives from Thailand often elicited reactions ranging from “Wow!” to “What?!” from my classmates, filling me with pride as the sole student from a developing Southeast Asian country. It was rewarding to showcase how education, culture, and politics uniquely shape trade and investment in Thailand compared to Western countries. Additionally, these courses required extensive report writing and reading, allowing me to hone my skills in analyzing trade data using various tools. Moreover, the diversity of the student body in these classes was remarkable, with peers from the U.S., Asia, Canada, Africa, and even some Ph.D. candidates. This enriched our discussions and learning experience immensely.
Looking ahead to the next semester, my academic advisor has suggested several intriguing courses, particularly from the Law School. I’ve already spoken with the professors and started planning my schedule.
Beyond academics, I’ve also ventured into the world of “work.” I’ve been helping my professor analyze data, earning minimum wage for the effort. Through this, I’ve discovered that finding a job here as an international student is quite challenging. I began applying before I even started my studies, and I’ve managed to secure two on-campus positions:
1. International Student Assistant, and
2. Photo/Video Editor and Content Creator for the School of Engineering.
However, it took several months to receive these offers, and I won’t start working until the new semester begins. I’ve also applied to several off-campus jobs, with mixed results. Whenever potential employers found out I’m a student without a Social Security Number (SSN), they turned me down. Despite this, I feel optimistic that with determination and my prior experience, I can eventually find a job here. My next goal is to find an internship, and I’ve already started exploring opportunities. I’ll update the Matilda Team again when I have more news. Please send your encouragement my way!
While I’m committed to my studies, I’m equally dedicated to activities outside of university. I’ve been following a regular exercise routine, hiking, and running in nearby towns. One surprising personal milestone was completing a half marathon. I felt really discouraged during training, wondering why others could do it while I struggled to even get halfway. But on race day, seeing elderly runners and children pushing themselves to the finish line inspired me to persevere. In the end, I crossed the finish line within the official time limit. This experience taught me the profound impact of surrounding myself with determined and goal-oriented people. The boundary, or mental barriers, I had built during training were ones I could dismantle myself—it all came down to mindset.
During the holiday season, I’ve also had time to explore and enjoy local activities. I participated in an Apple Picking Festival, and I’m currently planning my first-ever skiing trip. My schedule has been packed, and although I’ve only been here for nearly half a year, my friends joke that it feels like I’ve been here for years.
Reflecting on these past six months, I realize I’ve been pushing my mind and body to their limits, and it feels incredibly rewarding. I’ve realized that many of the limitations we face are ones we can continue to overcome, endlessly. Everyone has boundaries, walls, or limitations that challenge their determination, and to completely break them down is incredibly difficult—perhaps even unnecessary. Instead, I believe we can learn to manage them. The walls I’ve built in my mind may have felt so massive that I couldn’t even see what lies on the other side. But today, those walls seem smaller, shrinking to the point where I’ve been able to leap over them. One day, I hope these walls will become nothing more than speed bumps—gentle humps that don’t block our progress, but rather, give us a moment to pause and reflect before pressing the accelerator toward our destination.
P.S. I’ve been cooking so often that I might just be a pro now.If there’s a chance, I’d love to cook for all of you someday!
Best,
Nutto
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