Benyapa Durongbhand is one of the young people who gave a wonderful account of what attending one of our schools in Bangkok, Thailand, has meant to her. It was during her second year studying within the walls of Infant Jesus Sisters school.
"I had always been at the top of the class for most of my life as a student. With that title came the burden of expectations from those around me. Since I was a child, I had been told every day to constantly compete with my friends, and view everyone as my academic rivals. Consequently, I was never satisfied with myself or my academic performance. Once I made a mistake, everyone was ready to turn their backs on me. I never feel appreciated and the sense of belonging. School became a source of pressure rather than enjoyment. At that point, I revisited my list again and promptly called to inquire about the school.
Transferring to an Infant Jesus Sisters School was a challenging decision for me, and I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. However, after one and a half years as a student, I can confidently say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my academic life. Academically, I gained valuable knowledge in accounting, business, communication and many subjects that I used to find boring. Now they enhance my critical thinking skills and open doors to further study.
This school offers me a chance to think outside the box and develop my full potential. Instead of drowning in five hundred pages of textbooks, I received the essential information needed to understand and experience the authenticity of that lesson. I have learned a great deal from the various teaching methods employed by the teachers, such as critical thinking skills, effective communication with business clients, and everything necessary for entering the real working environment. They allowed me to voice my opinions without labeling them as right or wrong and never exacerbated my mistake. Instead, they helped me see mistakes as lessons. Most importantly, the teachers encouraged me not to compete with others but to compete with myself. They made me realize that true competition is about unlocking my own unrealized potential and making the most of it. This allowed me to embrace my mistakes, learn from them, and strive to become a better version of myself. I no longer view my friends as rivals but as individuals who help each other overcome weaknesses and forge our own paths.
This school not only improved my academic performance but also my overall character. I’ve become a person I never thought I could be. Two years ago, I couldn't have imagined myself giving a speech in front of everyone like this, but now I am, and I am very proud of myself. CHIJ taught me to behave morally and correctly, not to gain favors and approval, but because it is the right thing to do. Moreover, the school provided me with extracurricular activities where I had the opportunity to take care of children from the orphanage and elderly folks at the Camillian Social Center. Both experiences taught me the significance of using my privileges to help those in need. Additionally, I learned about the critical societal issues like human trafficking and the importance of making the right life choices. The school made me realize that my voice and actions can contribute to making the world a better place. From the first day that I entered, I have seen myself constantly evolving into a competent, virtuous, and caring citizen, just as I had promised myself every day.
Studying in this school has inspired me to create a vision for my life. I used to have an unclear vision of myself and the path I wanted to persue. However, after learning to set goals for myself through the goal book assigned by the school, I realized that it helps me stay focused and move forward. Currently, I consistently set goals and envision success in my mind. It gives me motivation to believe that I can achieve anything I set out to do. I now have a clearer picture of how my life will look in 10 years, what career path I want to pursue, and the steps I need to take to achieve my goals."
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