From a Small Opportunity Expansion School to Stanford University: My Journey as a Thai Government Scholarship Recipient ðšðļ
Everyone… I have something incredible to share.
I have been admitted to Stanford University, one of the world’s leading universities, and I have received a 100% full government scholarship to pursue my graduate studies. ðð
From a child at a small Opportunity Expansion School (Wat-based rural school) who never had the chance to attend private tutoring… to becoming a Thai Government Scholarship Recipient at Stanford University, USA ðšðļ
If someone had told you that “a student from a small rural opportunity expansion school in Thailand would one day continue his studies abroad at one of the world’s top universities,” you might have thought it was nothing more than an unrealistic dream.
But that child was me — Mr. Saharat Laksanasut (Game).
More than 20 years ago, I was simply an ordinary student from Chonburi Province, Thailand, beginning my educational journey at a small local school known as an Opportunity Expansion School.
From a Small Local School to Discovering My Passion
I began my education at Anuban Ban Bang Phra Ching Nawik Anusorn School, which was once a small opportunity expansion school in Sriracha District, Chonburi Province.
Later, I successfully entered Sriracha School, one of the leading public schools in the district. It was there that I began discovering my own identity and passion.
As a Science–Mathematics program student, I often struggled with science and mathematics and failed those subjects many times. However, English was always the subject where I achieved my highest performance.
Eventually, I discovered that what I truly loved was language learning and becoming a teacher.
That passion led me to pursue my dream at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, where I studied as an education student in the Bachelor of Education Program in English Education.
A Journey Filled with Challenges, Opportunities, and Growth
The journey was never easy. There were moments of exhaustion, pressure, and homesickness. Yet, life gradually opened new doors and provided meaningful opportunities along the way.
From a student from a provincial background…
I became a university student who successfully passed the national teacher recruitment process before even completing my degree through the Teacher Production for Local Development Program (Kru Khun Thon / Returning Teachers Program) under Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
From a child who never attended private tutoring and never believed he could compete with others…
I became a Thai youth representative participating in international conferences of the United Nations.
From a child who never imagined traveling abroad…
I became someone who had opportunities to learn, collaborate, and exchange experiences with people from around the world.
I never stopped learning and improving myself. I continued my academic journey at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, and successfully completed the program within the expected timeframe.
A Dream Beyond Imagination: Stanford University ðšðļ
And today…
That child from an Opportunity Expansion School — who never attended private tutoring — has been selected as a Thai Government Scholarship Recipient and awarded a 100% full scholarship through Thailand’s Teacher Production for Local Development Program to pursue another master’s degree in education abroad.
That same child received unconditional offers from several world-renowned universities, including:
ðšðļ United States
1) Stanford University
Master of Science in Learning, Design, and Technology
Recognized among the world’s top universities in education according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
2) University of California, Berkeley
Master of Arts in Language, Literacy, and Culture (LLC)
Ranked among the top public universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026 and among the world’s leading universities in education.
3) University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
One of the world’s leading institutions in education.
ðŽð§ United Kingdom
4) University of Manchester
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
5) University of Bristol
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
6) Lancaster University
MA Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
7) University of Nottingham
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
8) University of York
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
A Message to Those Who Feel “Ordinary”
Even today, I still feel that this entire journey is almost beyond imagination for a child who once came from a small Opportunity Expansion School.
But if there is one message I would like to share with every student and anyone who feels that they are “not special enough,” it is this:
“Where we begin does not always determine where we will end.”
We may not begin at a famous school.
We may not be born with abundant resources.
We may not be the most talented person from the beginning.
But if we continue to dream bravely,
continue to take chances,
and continue to believe in ourselves,
one day, life may take us much further than we ever imagined.
And today, that little child from a small Opportunity Expansion School more than 20 years ago is preparing to begin a new chapter at Stanford University, USA, as a fully funded Thai Government Scholarship Recipient. ðšðļ✨
A dream once thought impossible is becoming reality.
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