April-May Issue 2020

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dear reader

It is finally May: the month of AP exams, the month of graduation, and the month of farewells and transitions. This is the final issue of the Quill’s 2019- 2020 team, and we sincerely hope you liked reading our bi-monthly publications as much as we enjoyed putting them together. We want to deliver a heartfelt thanks to our extremely talented and hardworking writers, editors, layout designers, and leadership team - and most importantly, you, our reader.

Although these past few months have not turned out as anyone expected due to the sudden worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, we want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this difficult, challenging time to reflect on the past year, your friendships, relationships, and connections. In this issue, we present to you the seniors of the graduating Class of 2020 - Twenty Twice. So put down your pencil, pause your online lecture, find a comfortable position, and relax as you read this final issue of the academic year.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 - we’ll now yield the stage to the Class of 2021!

Quillfully Yours, Aoey & Erica

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Mr. MARK COOPRIDER Advisor

aoey wirawaRn & Erica kim editor-in-chiefs

aim kumpusiri art director

hayoung you managing editor

Editors

David Bang Matthew Muehleck Nate Ronnakiat Tayida Chaiyakiturajai Pann Sripitak Joey Chao Joseph Ha Amy Jain Claire Mast Dada Phisitkul

writers

Tayida Chaiyakiturajai Mina Wangpattanamongkol Dayoung Nam Tawan Petpaiboon Shreya Rupani Charlotte Muehleck Austin Cipriano Pat Watcharapong Emily Rubio Time Kosawad

Proud Ua-arak David Bang Hannah Won Krishma Gandhi Krisha Gandhi Daniel Yim Joey Chao Hunter Lertkiatdamrong Pann Sripitak

photographers

Mina Wangpattanamongkol Lala Lertkiatdamrong Dino Nishioka Thejal Narayanasamy Ai Tulayathun Mine Umnakkittikul Tida Pinthanon Wen Aramratsameekul Ally Woo Russia Chawala Hannah Kim

Blink Chaisuparakul Hajoo Na Proud Sethaudom Joanna Pinsuvana Thaam Limwattananon Clara Park Jan Thaveeprungsiporn Tenny Srirungrojana Sunny Tangniannatchai Beam Yongphiphatwong

layout designers

Haeun You Rita Sirichanyakul Christina Chen Tan Tumpunyawat Aum Kuansongtham Bam Chadanuntakul Gloria Park Lala Viboonkiat Angie Tanabodee-umpon

Gunn Jungpaibul Ryu Ngammuang Year Ruengarak Anna Liang Sungwoo Jeon Nisha Denzau Lucy Noh Ai Tulayathun

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Freshman SALT TRIP sophomore SALT TRIP junior SALT TRIP

SENIOR TRIP capstone service projects: hayoung you deborah cho dada phisitkul aim kumpusiri senior session: SMLIT leaders chapel woship fnf

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us & canada acceptances: aoey wirawarn erica kim aim kumpusiri proud sethaudom cartoon piyaket gunn jungpaibul nate ronnakiat genie boonpienpol uk acceptances: kin wijitkasemwong year ruengarak kodd ingkasuwan thailand acceptances: peam chandanamattha luksorn wongakkarakhun thaam limwattananon panpan vongsrirungruang COVID-19 Updates & Movie Review: THE PLATFORM

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Freshman SALT Trip

Words by Proud U.

Because of the COVID-19 situation we’re all facing right now, the freshmen SALT trip feels like a distant memory. Has it really been almost 2 months since our grade came together as one on a venture into Khao Yai? Nonetheless, it was yet another SALT trip to remember — I dare say it was the best one so far for many of us.

February 24th was the long bus ride to Khao Yai, with Pakchong Camp as our first stop. It was astonishing to meet the extremely enthusiastic staff and play strange (but fun) games, including hiding everyone’s shoes around the camp and locking arms with random people and dancing. Needless to say, the shame of the Panda Dance still stings yet amuses me up to this day. Later on, we went through a series of obstacle courses and went ziplining into the water; all of us left the camp very content — and soaking wet.

Day 2 was the main service day, where we rode our song taews to Baan Ta Chang school with great plans in mind. The skit group started off with a hilarious performance, and then we divided into our planned sections to teach alternating groups of students. Ranging from crafts to environmental awareness, the children definitely enjoyed each session they attended. We ended the day with a basketball game and ice cream for everyone! The “mediocre” talent show later that evening was an intriguing one as well, where people competed to not stand out in order to win (?) -- it was hard not to clap after seeing the chicken magic trick, though.

The third day of SALT was one many of us will remember for a very, very long time.

What began as a hike at Khao Yai National Park, like every freshman grade did before us, turned into a night of reflection and forgiveness, as Mr. Zach ended his unforgettably meaningful speech.

He told us about how, during Senior trip, people have the opportunity to “right their wrongs” with their classmates, asking for forgiveness for what they’ve done in the past years and letting go of things that might have been holding them down up to that day. However, he believed it would be amazing if that could be done earlier; that we could forgive and be forgiven before the year we’d have to go on our separate paths for the rest of our lives. It was an emotional night as people went around confronting what they might’ve feared or put aside for the longest time and righted their wrongs, even though none of us had expected that to happen. Everyone’s experiences there differed from person to person, but the reconciliation, sorrow, and gratitude in the room could be felt by all.

We finally got back to Bangkok after lunch at Farm Chokchai into the arms of our second home.

This SALT trip has been much more than a 4-day getaway; it would be — and is — remembered by many as a life-changing experience full of stories to tell.

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sophomore SALT Trip Words by Charlotte Muehleck For this year’s SALT trip, the sophomore class went to Chachoengsao. It is fair to say that all of us were very excited - from pictures, the hotel looked great, and we got to choose which service projects we wanted to participate in. Throughout the three days, we served a small village called “Ban Nong Prue”.

Once we arrived, we took a tour around the village and learned about the daily lives of the people we were going to be serving. These villagers even had a museum of the old tools the older g enerations would use to harvest crops before electronic machines were easily accessible. They also introduced us to the different plants and the benefits each plant has. Plants that we often assume have no purpose can actually be used to make medicine. After having a quick lunch break, we split into the 7 different service groups and headed to different sites around the village. Some students did painting, some did farming, but the most laborious of all, some students did construction.

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The following morning, we once again split off into groups, this time to interview different farmers in the village. Most of the farmers in the village based their work off the “sufficiency economy� principle. They would also frequently attend meetings in Bangkok to learn more about how to improve their farms. Some villagers had a lot to say, and simply not enough time to say it all, which gave the student translators a difficult time reexplaining everything in english. For the remainder of the second day, and the third day, students continued working on the same projects they had started on the first day.

By serving the same group of people for 3 days, we were able to become more informed about the life of country people, the challenges they face daily, and how they overcome them. This was a truly memorable experience for the entirety of the sophomore population.

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Junior SALT Trip Words by Krisha Gandhi

The final year of service trip is rumored to be one of the toughest service trips taken from ICS because of the amount of labor that is involved. This year the ICS’s class of 2021 made a trip to Ratchaburi. Although, there was uncertainty when preparing for the trip due to the AQI level.

The teachers were cautious and took precautions by taking air purifiers with them on the trip. The trip started out pretty smoothly with everything going according to the plan. The class started their task by preparing questions about education, wage, and the environment in order to ask questions to the community in Ratchaburi. The interviews with the adults and children from the community really opened the junior’s eyes and they were able to gain much more of an understanding of their life and situation.

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However, from then things started taking a turn. The next morning when the students were making their way to the breakfast area, they noticed the sky being unusual. As they made their way to breakfast they were notified by their teachers that the air quality was really poor. Time passed by and no one knew what to do, so the teachers decided to announce that everyone will have to wait for the AQI to improve before beginning on their service projects.

Everyone was in doubt when they would be able to leave the meeting hall. Hours passed by and AQI actually did drop low enough for the class to begin their service.

The class worked for 4-5 hours of building and painting the house. The next day the AQI level went extensively high to about 340. The teachers decided to insert some games and activities to pass time as they wait for the AQI to improve. There was no change. As the boredom began to rise, Mr.Mike walked in front of everyone and made an announcement, “ Sorry class of 2021. We are going to head back home because there has been no improvement.� The students and teachers were all really upset and shocked by the news. They were heading home one day earlier feeling depressed and defeated.

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kul

isit Words by Dada Ph

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our memories :)

After years of fundraising and months of prepping, the day finally arrived and we set off to thankfully, no one was left behind. The plane was filled with high schoolers eager to spend and were making plans on how we’d spend our tremendous amount of free time. After dinn cheered as loud as they could. It was pretty great. We finally set off to the beaches on the se whole body, rocking us here and there. Although it was necessary to reapply sunscreen ma We spent hours travelling from one island to another and we also went snorkeling. During hadn’t so that we’d leave with better relationships. It was an emotional moment, and most o to be quiet, however, that didn’t quite stop us. Anyhow, the next day was the day of our de only mall there-- wandering around and sleeping in cafes. We staye As we boarded the plane, we all sensed that it was

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krabi, thailand

o Krabi full of energy and excitement. Despite the early hours we had to be at the airport, d their last trip together. When we arrived at our hotel, we immediately went to our rooms ner, a talent show was held and we all had fun. Whether it be singing or dancing, everyone econd day. Most of us were thrilled sitting in the speedboats as the wind rushed against our any times due to the fairly strong sunshine, the fun we had at the beach outweighed that. the night time of the third day, we had time to talk to each other and resolve conflicts we of us cried. We were also really loud that the hotel person had to constantly come to tell us eparture from Krabi. We spent hours hanging out at Tesco Lotus --simply because it was the ed at Tesco until the evening when we had to leave for the airport. s the end of our short yet memorable senior trip.

much love <3 April-may 2020

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Capstone service projectS

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beyond art hobbies

by Hayoung you What’s your project about, and why did you choose it?

My project’s focus was providing a more productive hobby for the elderly in the slum community of Bangkok. I taught some women various art techniques, and encouraged them to create art in times they felt idle. I chose this particular topic because I learned how depression and other mental health issues are much more likely to have an impact on the elderly who do not feel like their lives have meaning. Many women I interviewed told me how they felt like the time they spent by themselves was meaningless, so I wanted to make sure they could spend time performing tasks that are more meaningful.

What was your main takeaway from this project?

My main takeaway was that I should always have a malleable mindset. For example, one of the women I taught was completely paralized on one side of her body, so she could not do some of the art tasks I had prepared. However, she was extremely passionate about learning art and was determined to keep going. I had to be flexible in creating altered tasks for her in order to make sure she could keep up, which turned out a lot better than I expected.

Any advice for younger classmen?

Choose a project you don’t mind spending a lot of time on. I think the main reason I enjoyed my project was because I like working with the elderly, and because I chose a topic I’m passionate about. If I had chosen a random project for the sake of getting it done, I feel like the whole process would have been really boring. Above all, start early.

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community youth learning to save by deborah cho

What is your capstone project about?

I served kids from the poor communities around my church and taught them how to save money by coming up with a system to help them intrinsically motivated to save on their own.

What inspired you to take on this project?

It really wasn’t super dramatic or anything. For the Capstone process, we’re supposed to identify the greatest need a community has.

I’ve been working with my community for 5 years so I just thought about things I noticed through my interactions with the kids and conversations I’ve had with the leaders of the community.

What is your main takeaway from this project?

This is where it gets a bit dramatic. By doing Capstone, I figured out what I want to major in in college. Capstone is no joke. For my project, I ended up going way above the minimum hours required for the project. I genuinely enjoyed it (the action part, not the papers or presentation hahaha) and because of that I learned more about my passions and what I want to do for my future. For the longest time I struggled with making a decision about what I wanted to major in but through the project, I was able to finally figure myself out. I’m going to be majoring in elementary education.

What advice do you have for underclassmen who are starting their capstone projects?

Do it well and beware the due dates. It just makes life easier in the long run. It kind of sucks at times (trust me I know) but it’s worth it. Writing the papers is a lot easier if you actually did your project well. And it’ll save a lot of stress during senior year if you get your action phase done during the summer. So many things could go wrong with scheduling (speaking from experience) and maintaining healthy stress levels is already hard enough without having to worry about finishing Capstone. Do it well and do it on time.

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affordable cancer care for thais by dada phisitkul

What is your Capstone project about?

My project is about helping to raise funds and awareness for Cancer immunotherapy research at the Chulalongkorn University Systems Biology center.

What was your main takeaway from this project?

I learned that being able to communicate well with others and to approach people you don’t really know are important silks to have. Having passion and best interest towards your issue is needed when completing this service project. My project required help from many people and if I had hesitated to ask for help, it might not have worked out as well. I also think that you should be confident in whatever you’re doing. This project really helped me open my vision towards cancer and how important it is to bring awareness.

What advice would you give to the upcoming seniors?

Do a project or a community that you are passionate about helping since you’ll have to stick with your community for a relatively long time, and perhaps doing what you like will help make doing your project more easy and will be fun. Being organized and attentive is very important when completing the project.

Procrastination is something everyone suffers from so starting early will really help you complete all the deadlines in time. Even during this pandemic, I hope the upcoming seniors achieve their goal.

Did you face any challenges throughout the service project and while presenting your idea?

As a part of my project, I organized a run to help fundraise, and this was really challenging for me since I felt that it was such a big thing to be doing and I didn’t really know if I would be able to pull it off. Accomplishing my goal was very challenging as well as I had to think over all the possibilities and had to think creatively. Since our presentations were online due to the horrible time of the pandemic, I struggled a little to find supplies to decorate and make my booth presentable. But overall it wasn’t too hard.

How did you work to achieve awareness and raise funds?

To raise funds I went to sell things along with the scientists at CUSB and also we went on a walk to talk about cancer immunotherapy at various places and the majority of the funds that were raised for cancer were during the run. In all, I raised about 200,000 baht with the help of CUSB.

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hand-in-hand by aim kumpusiri What is Hand-In-Hand about?

I made elephant hand therapy dolls for bed-bound patients in the Bamnet Narong Subdistrict, Chaiyaphum province What inspired you to start Hand in Hand?

My project is inspired and sponsored by another project the PTT company started called คุณช้างจับมือ in Thai. I started complaining about capstone to my cousin who recently got a job at the company and explained how it was related to the SDGs. Coincidentally, she mentioned how PTT was also working towards the SDGs too and named a few projects. คุณช้างจับมือ happened to match what I was looking for.

Does this project have to do with what you’re planning to major in college?

Yesss I plan on majoring in Biomedical Engineering which involves making medical appliances and other healthcare related things similar to Hand In Hand.

I’m extremely grateful Hand in Hand is related to the concentration I plan on majoring in as I can write about my capstone project in my supplemental essays.

What was it like planning for this?

Because Chaiyaphum requires a four hour drive from Bangkok, I had to attempt to conduct a needs assessment in one go. Working with a big company like PTT also gave me anxiety as their workers are constantly busy. I feared PTT would disappear and forget their sponsorship to a high school student like myself. At the end of the day, everything worked out fine. They were generous and gave me all the fabric needed to make over 200 elephant hand therapy dolls.

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Can you describe the action process of this project?

Action phase was probably the best part of capstone because I got to bring the project to life while interacting with the people in the community. At first, I was simply going to make all the dolls myself and donate them. Mr.Mike commented that I needed more interaction, so I taught the students at the local high school there how to make these elephant hand therapy dolls. After that, I went home and finished making the rest of the dolls. Then, I went back to the community with physical therapists. During this time, I have the dolls to roughly 10 bed-bound patients who got sent home from the hospital. I donated the rest of the dolls to the local hospital for their current and future patients.

What was the most challenging part about your project?

Aside from the distance challenge I mentioned above, only being able to stay there for one to two days and head back for school, I was also worried about measuring the success of my project. Since my project was about healthcare, the only way to measure the success is for the patients to use the hand therapy dolls and slowly recover from their illness. During this process, I also feared my project wouldn’t work out, but at the end of the day, I’m happy with how it finished.

What advice would you give to underclassmen preparing for their own Capstone project?

I highly suggest you to choose a project that relates to your major because it helps with the supplemental essays for US applications. These questions often involve describing the applicant’s passions and justifying the intended major. I also recommend to choose a project you’re truly passionate about as it will make the draining process of this project more enjoyable. I also recommend starting early as it will make your senior year much better. I recommend getting the proposal and action done during your junior year or the summer before your senior year so that the only assignments left to do are the papers.

What is the most memorable takeaway this project gave you for from this?

I worked with bed-bound patients whose condition made them unable to walk or participate in normal tasks independently. Throughout the project, as I learned to empathize with them, I also learned to better appreciate the things I often overlook in my life. The patients and everyone I worked with were also so sweet and appreciative of what I was doing. This made me inspired to want to do more community service projects to help rural communities.

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Was there something you wish you did differently?

Honestly, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really proud and happy of how the project turned out, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really want to change anything major. However, If I had more time, I would also teach the nurses and doctors at the hospital in the community to make these hand therapy dolls too since I think they would be more eager to continue making them than the students because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s their direct job to help these patients.

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senior s

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chapel: deborah cho

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Interview by Dayoung Nam

Could you tell us a little about yourselves?

I’ve been at ICS for 4 years and before this I was at a Thai school from kindergarten through eighth grade. I’m also super ethnically confused since I’m Thai-Korean-American.

What is your committee in charge of?

Chapels. All of them.

Were there any difficulties in arranging Chapel? If so, could you tell us about it?

There’s a lot of work. There are so many different tiny details that go into weekly chapels and the big ones as well. Managing that with the committee is hard sometimes since different people do different amounts of work. But at the end of the day, everyone comes together to try to do our best.

What are some things that went well?

We as a committee had a lot of fun coming up with different games. It was really fun to bounce crazy ideas off each other to come up with fun and funny games for people to play.

How did you divide jobs in your committee?

Personally, I’m not super gifted in the creativity department in general so I focus a lot more on the details and logistics of things. Everyone has different strengths. We try to distribute different responsibilities according to what people are comfortable with.

Were there any accidents or anything unexpected that happened onstage?

For sure. Things don’t go as planned sometimes. Sometimes we just have off days. I’ve mixed up languages when MCing multiple times (that was embarrassing) and accidentally laughed at inappropriate times (also super embarrassing). But you kind of just have to learn not to get hung up on that and focus on “moving forward” if you know what I mean ;) One reason why you think your committee is the best?!

Hahaha nice question. We get along well and we’re unique. We’re literally the only group that does what we do.

Could you give us one piece of advice for the future chapel committee members?

1. Be organized 2. Google Spreadsheets There are SO many details that go into chapel. It’s easy to get super overwhelmed but if you can stay organized (have a clean inbox and a systematic way of keeping various files) it becomes easier.

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worship: sujee kim

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Interview by Hannah Won

Please introduce yourself!

My name is Su Jee Kim, leading worship team 2, Unoriginal, along with Ploy.

How did you make the decision to join the SMLIT worship team?

It was a tough decision to make, considering I had the choice to go as a leader in the FNF or worship team. To lay it out there, I was on the core events committee for two years and the worship team for one year. I had very amazing experiences with both groups in which each had their own unique character. With this in mind, I wanted to join a committee that resembled a combination of the two styles. FNF seemed to be this combination. When I first got the news that I was going to become a worship leader, I was very terrified. Although I had quite a history of music and singing, I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t confident in my skills.

A while later, I was told that I could actually choose between the worship team and FNF. To be honest, joining the worship team as a leader was not my first choice. I was actually leaning more towards joining FNF, but chose the worship team in the end. The reason I chose worship despite my hesitation was because I was inspired to develop the event and change the style of worship. The first few months I had a bit of confidence in changing the ways and worshipping God. However, the reality was much harsher than what I had presumed, which made me crumble as time went by. Because of my flaws, I felt like I was not even near 1% of the leader I had envisioned to be in the first place. It may seem like being a leader is a shiny, cool spot, but in reality it is extremely tough and a position that requires courage, sacrifice, a serving-mind, and decisiveness.

Although it was definitely not easy, this opportunity to be a worship team leader gave me a lot to learn and take away, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever regret becoming one. I am thankful that I had the chance to be a worship team leader.

What events do the worship teams participate in?

Worship teams participate in our own N.O.W. events, which is every Friday of the first week of the month. Also, we hold worship sessions in Eagle Camp, Christmas Party, See You at the Pole, Eagles Camp recap Chapel, Lock-in Midnight worship, and Mini-retreats.

How often do the entire team meet up to practice?

Before quarantine, we met once a week for meetings during lunch to discuss what the worship session will be like (theme, song, games, speaker, etc). We practiced on the worship songs once a week, but on the week of the event we would practice two days.

If you are interested in joining the worship team, you can contact Mrs. Sheila for a permission form. On the form there will be a section where you can write the worship team as the group you want to be associated in. Once you turn in that form, you can then schedule an interview with Mrs. Sheila. If you have any unanswered questions about the SMLIT worship team, you can contact Mrs. Sheila via email: sheila_h@ics.ac.th.

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fnf: em k. & Lily lee

Could you introduce yourselves??

L: Hi, my name is Lily and I am a senior. I love Day 6 and Ju Ji Hoon.

E: Hi, I’m Em and I’m a senior.

For people who may not be sure, what does FNF do?

L: FNF stands for Friday Night Fellowship. We play games and worship together.

E: We eat, play games, worship, and spend time together.

How did you come up with new ideas every month?

L: Every one of us comes with an idea about games and worship, and we choose the best idea among them.

E: Well, we have two people who are kind of ‘in charge’ of worship in our committee, Esther and Ava, and then we kind of vote and choose the best idea for food and games.

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How did you divide jobs up in your committee?

L: Em is Thai, so she usually orders food. Esther and Ava have beautiful voices so they do worship. Heesoo, Cj, and I do clean ups and set-ups.

E: What Lily said :) Were there any challenges? If so, how did you overcome it??

L: Nah I don’t think we had any challenges except fighting in every meeting.

E: by ‘fighting’ she means ganging up on me.

Could you tell us one reason why your committee is the best!?

L: Our committee is like a family. Every one of us is very special and unique and I love them so much. Our committee is the best because we have Em, Esther, Ava, HeeSoo, Cj, and I. E: Also what Lily said. :) Could you give words of advice to the future FNF committee members?

L: Just don’t fight and love each other <3 E: Don’t stress out too much, have fun along the way, & love your committee members.

2020Nam 37 Interview byApril-may Dayoung

US & Canada:

COLLEGE Acceptances

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aoey wirawarn stanford university: Mathematical & Computational Science

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Congratulations on getting into Stanford! Was this your dream school?

What made you apply to Stanford?

Thank you! Yes, Stanford has always been my dream school, so I applied restrictive early action there. But I initially got deferred, so I sent them a few updates before getting accepted in the regular round, and ah, I honestly still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I got in.

I applied to Stanford mainly because of its academic style and extracurricular environment.

Stanford’s motto is “the wind of freedom blows”, which reflects its liberal education. I have interests in many areas, including those in both STEM and the Humanities, and I believe I’ll be able to deeply explore and integrate all of them at Stanford. I also appreciate how students there value creative and collaborative activities like entrepreneurship and student-led orchestras, which I cannot wait to join there.

What major will you be pursuing at Stanford, and why?

I’m thinking of pursuing either Mathematical and Computational Science or Management Science and Engineering. I enjoy working and thinking systematically, and from my industrial engineering and data science internships, I became even more drawn to ways I can use maths, computer science, and economics to improve and optimize technological and social systems.

Specifically, I am hoping to learn how I can use technology to bridge the educational opportunity gaps in Thailand. The two majors I mentioned align with these interests of mine, but I’m really looking forward to exploring other fields too.

What are some pieces of advice you would give to underclassmen looking into the college process?

College application is by no means an easy process. You’ll most likely spend hours writing several drafts for your personal statements, polishing your supplemental essays, and trying to describe each of your activities in 150 characters (if you’re using the Common App). But see the college application process as an opportunity to reflect -- to think about your values, your dreams, and the lessons you learned in life. At least for me, I learned a lot more about my own self through the process.

Love your essays! I believe an essay that you love is one that truly shows who you are, what you value, and what you aspire to do, for example. Also, dare to be creative with your essays!

According to Mr. Mark Cooprider, my personal statement was almost nothing like the normal essays we write in class, but that’s what we think made it a really special essay.

To the juniors out there, just start! At least for me, I just started by throwing out random ideas about myself onto paper, and that gradually led me to more and more ideas and finally, a complete college application. Also, if there’s anything you think I can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me. I know that given the COVID situation, there’s currently a lot of uncertainty regarding standardized exams and applications, but know that everyone around the world is going through this period of uncertainty as well. I’m cheering for you guys!

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ERICA kim

university of california Berkeley: Sociology

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Congratulations on getting into UC Berkeley! Was this your dream school? If not, what made you apply?

Actually no, Cal wasn’t my dream school - but it was a very close second. I grew up in California, so it was the only place I was familiar with in the States, and Berkeley had a great sociology program, along with other opportunities. I guess that’s why I didn’t mind even when I was rejected from my dream school.

What was the application process like for you?

Not super chill, but also not super intense. I liked the application process, to be honest. It’s a rare chance to do writing that for once, can be self-centered and not academic-related. But it can also be a real pain if you begin your applications late, so don’t do that. I’d say start around at least August, especially if you’re one of those people that are taking 5 APs senior year (me). Whatever you heard about senior year being easy, that rule doesn’t apply to you.

What was your essay about?

My essay was about my transformation in character through a personal experience. One tip I have about the personal essay is to be vulnerable. A surface-level essay is boring, an obviously crafted tear-jerker story is boring, and I’m sure nobody’s a boring person. Be vulnerable and raw, because that’s what makes you interesting on the application (and that’s what matters).

What is one piece of advice you would give to underclassmen looking into the college process?

Don’t procrastinate is an overused advice, and also a somewhat irresponsible one because everyone knows that procrastinators will always procrastinate. So I’d say, try to find out more about yourself through this chance. Sure, it’s a chance that determines your next four years of life and more, but it’s not all about that. I think we, as high schoolers, whether it’s due to a heavy workload or personal issues, don’t actually question who we are and who we want to be in life.

You can do it during your application process. Think about yourself and what makes you happy.

If you can’t think immediately, think more. It’ll reach you eventually.

April-may 2020

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aim kumpusiri

tufts university: biomedical engineering

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THE QUILL

You made it into Tufts! Congratulations! What major are you planning to pursue?

Thanks! I am planning to major in biomedical engineering.

What are some things that helped you finally decide on Tufts?

In my opinion, Tufts is kind of the best of both worlds in the sense that it has the resources of a big public research university but the flexibility and feel of a liberal arts college. That’s very specific and maybe weird but that’s why it’s perfect for me. I have many interests and want to explore them all which can be harder at bigger universities, but I also want to focus on my major, which isn’t offered by most liberal arts colleges. I also like Tuft’s medium size which means I won’t have to be in a 400 person lecture nor will the community be too small. Plus, the campus is suburban, so it’s not super busy while still being twenty minutes from Boston. A lot of people also have told me about the great community at Tufts so I am looking forward to that as well!

What are some things that you’re really looking forward to and what are some things that you’re nervous about?

Tufts is known for its publications like magazines and newspapers, similar to The Quill, so I really look forward to that since I’ve been working with The Quill for all of highschool and it’s something I’ve really enjoyed and want to continue participating in at university. Tufts is known for its friendly community but I am still nervous about having to make new friends and trying to fit in and find my place. I’m going into a completely different environment in a country that is so far away.

What was your least favorite part of the college application process?

I’m not very good at putting my thoughts into words, so my least favorite part was writing the personal and supplemental essays. Sadly I had to write a ton of them.

What is something that you learned through the application process?

I learned how much Capstone can help when applying. My project was related to my major, so I used that to write most of my supplements and it was very helpful. I also learned to be a lot more patient, organized, and responsible with long-term work since the whole process took about half a year.

Who do you think deserves a shoutout for helping you or being with you when you were applying?

Definitely our very own Mrs. Jen! She was such a big help and was so encouraging. She helped me with my counselor recommendation letter, followed up my other teacher recommendation letters, checked my writing, submitted all of my documents, calmed me down throughout the entire process, and was there for me for more than just the applications. My parents also helped me a lot by reminding me every single day not to procrastinate on my applications.

What is one piece of advice that you can give to all of the underclassmen?

Start the process early so that you’ll be confident you’ve given it your all and you’ll eventually be satisfied with no regrets. Also take advantage of all of the resources that ICS has to offer! Mrs. Jen, Mr. Luc, the writing windows, and college club are all a huge help! Everyone wants to be there for you so don’t hesitate to ask for help!

April-may 2020

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proud sethaudom university of michigan: Biomedical Science

Please give a brief introduction of yourself Hello, my name is Proud and I plan to do a major in Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor!

What advice would you give to underclassmen about applying to colleges Brainstorm for your college essays early. Not just the personal statement but the supplements too.

They’re just as time consuming. Jot down every idea even the bad ones, then sit down and expand on each. Talk to people about your ideas (your parents, teachers and even friends). I actually came up with mine after talking to my dad about the other ideas I had. He was able to give me suggestions because he knew me really well.

Start writing early. I wrote a total of 3 different essays (and about 2-3 drafts for each one, so imagine how long that took). Obviously you don’t have to write that many, but it’s always good to start early, so you have time for feedback. I would say when getting feedback, you don’t need to 100% do what people recommend because at the end of the day, the essay is about you and you know yourself best. Oh and it would be nice to give your teachers some time (about a week at least) for them to read your essays. For me, I asked a lot of people to read mine, including Mrs. Jen, Mr. Mark and Mr. Luc, and they really helped me improve my essays a lot.

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THE QUILL

I would also HIGHLY recommend applying to at least one school during the Early Action round (another reason why you should start your essays early!) so you hear back in December or January. I turned in my application for U of Michigan on November 1st and heard back mid-December (before the regular round’s deadlines) and I was able to plan the rest of my college apps better.

What are some things to consider while choosing where to attend university 1) The school’s location (which state it is in, the type of city the campus is located, the weather, perhaps how safe the city is?)

2) The student body (what they are like, the percent of in-state students/international students etc.)

3) Whether there is financial aid (some schools, mostly public unis, do not give financial aids to international students, so be sure to check when you apply) 4) Whether the college has the major/minors/programs you want to study. I made the mistake of assuming some of the schools on my list offer my intended major only to realize they don’t when I started writing my “Why This Major” essay. Don’t make the same mistake I did.

5) Another mistake I made was actually applying to only 2 “target schools” and 0 safety schools.

This was really risky but I was really lucky to get into UMich because I found out later that I actually got rejected from one of my target schools which was surprising and scary.

6) Lastly, check whether the school is a college or a university. Yes, there’s a difference, not just in size but also the resources/opportunities offered there, so be sure to research about that. The school’s website is a great place to start.

How to prepare yourself for standardized tests Believe in yourself. Don’t be negative about standardized tests. Don’t be like (for example) “oh the SAT reading is impossible, I’ll never get a good score,” because this mindset will discourage you from trying your best. So stay calm, believe in yourself, study hard and just do your best every time. I think patience and a “growth mindset” are the two things that really helped me get the scores I wanted.

What are some things you’re going to miss from ics Going to such a big school like UMich, I will definitely miss how small and close-knitted the classes and the community here in general are. I’m going to miss how nice everyone is. I don’t know if in college I will receive the amount of support and positivity that my teachers and friends have for me here at ICS. And I’ll miss things like the cafeteria’s Khao Soi, flood days, early dismissals and how often ICS have school holidays :D What are you looking forward to in university Having my own room!! (well, technically not my own own room but at least I get to decorate/ organize one half of it...hopefully I get a good roommate) And, uhh, a new beginning (academic wise). I really look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities UMich has for me to grow as a person and take concrete steps towards the life I want to lead in college and beyond.

Anything you want to say I know this is a lot of information to take in but start the process early and enjoy it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And do your best. Even if you don’t get into your dream school in the end, through the whole process, you get to reflect and learn a lot about yourself (your strengths, weaknesses, values) and what you want in the future. These are the things that will help you succeed most wherever you go. Goodluck!!

April-may 2020

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cartoon piyaket vanderbilt university: Human & Organizational Development

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THE QUILL

How did you decide to apply to Vanderbilt?

I did a ton of research about what I want to learn and what schools offer curriculums that align well with what I want. Obviously, I also looked at what’s unique about each school, and I tried to choose the schools that I can see myself at for the next 4 years and would enjoy learning at. In the end, there were a lot of factors that were pushing me towards Vanderbilt, and, after considering everything, I decided that this was the school that fit me the most.

What was the application process like for you? What was especially difficult?

The application process was honestly one of the most stressful things I’ve experienced because there was so much going on during that time. I struggled with the essays because it required me to really reflect on myself and find ways in which I could differentiate myself from other possible applicants.

What major will you be pursuing, and what was the main reason you chose to study it?

My major is called Human and Organizational Development (I’m also going to have a double major but am not so sure in what yet). The main reason I chose this major is that I’ve always been interested in business and leadership, and, once I saw what this major offers, I knew it was something I wanted to learn.

Any advice for underclassmen who are looking into colleges?

DON’T PROCRASTINATE, obviously. Don’t do what I did. Start early and be sure that if you choose a university you want, you know exactly why you want it.

April-may 2020

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gunn jungpaibul wesleyan university

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THE QUILL

Congrats on making it into Wesleyan! What do you plan to study there?

Thanks! I’m going in undecided, mostly because I have no idea what I want to do. I’ll just take classes in a lot of different fields my freshman and sophomore years. Hopefully by then I will have figured out what I want to do with my life.

What are you most looking forward to about attending university?

The things that I am looking forward to at uni are basically the same things I was looking forward to when I started highschool. Making good friends and having good teachers!

Do you have any expectations for your university experience?

Since I’ll be stuck eating all three daily meals at Wesleyan I’m really hoping that the cafeteria and eating halls are good. If not I will have my family send monthly shipments of Mama. Other than that I just hope to meet cool people and also not freeze in the harsh weather.

What were a few key takeaways from your application process?

I found out that there is always a bit of destiny and luck that comes into play. You can try to think over every decision extremely carefully, or use your heart to guide your way to a ‘dream’ college or whatever, but be prepared for all that to fail, at least a bit. To prepare for that, I should’ve looked into my ‘likely’ schools more, really understand what they were about, and most importantly understand that these schools are actually excellent, and a place that I would love to spend the next four years at.

What was the moment when you were the most stressed during the application process?

Probably during interviews, some of them are a bit scary when you look up their names on Linkedin. But when you actually get to talk to them they’re really nice people, so I kind of stressed out for no reason.

Are you nervous about how COVID-19 will affect your university experience?

I don’t really know about college. I do know that it is making things difficult right now. Saying goodbye to friends is going to be a whole lot harder.

What is one piece of advice that you can give to all of the underclassmen?

Finish your big SAT and your SAT subject tests before senior year. Finish the action part of your capstone before senior year. If you have ROTC I wish you the best of luck (it’s not too bad). Get rid of these inevitable things that’ll take up a lot of your time before the application process hits, because that will take up even more time. And, do not be afraid of asking for help, you’re going to need it.

April-may 2020

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nate ronnakiat Davidson college

Was this your dream school? If not, what made u apply?

At first, I didn’t really have a specific type of school I wanted, so my top choices were Cornell and Duke, but once I started reading into colleges and going to college application sessions, I started to list specific things I wanted in a college. After listing them out, Davidson was the school that I thought fit me the most.

What was the application process like?

Unlike others who applied to a whole lot of schools, I only applied to three schools, one of which was because I was already offered a scholarship. This made my workload easier to handle, since I didn’t have that many supplemental essays.

What was your essay about?

My main personal statement was about my family and some of the things I went through. Another essay I’m very proud of is my Richmond supplement, which was about my Capstone project.

What is one piece of advice u would give to underclassmen looking into to the college process?

Try to think of everything when deciding on a college. Though you may think location, size, demographics, or even NCAA division don’t matter, one of those may be the deciding factor in choosing an Early Decision school.

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THE QUILL

genie boonpienpol university of waterloo: Global business and digital arts

Congrats on making it into Waterloo! What major are you pursuing?

Thank you! My major is called Honours Global Business and Digital Arts. Basically, I’ll be studying technology+design+business.

Why did you decide to apply to Waterloo? And why Canada?

I decided to apply to Waterloo because the GBDA program is a perfect fit for my passions and interests.

Plus, it’ll set me up for the career in which I want to pursue (User Interface/User Experience Designer).

I chose Canada, specifically Waterloo, instead of the US because of the diversity and the large Asian population in the area. Also, getting a post graduation work permit for international students is easier in Canada.

What are you looking forward in college?

I’m looking forward to meeting new people, becoming more independent, playing in the snow, and living the broke college student life!!

Any advice for the underclassmen?

Don’t only think about money when choosing your uni major, but also focus on your passions to live a fulfilling life. Try to find the middle ground between your passion and the world trend like I did.

(Design+Tech=Ui/Ux) Good luck! :)

April-may 2020

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United kingdom:

COLLEGE Acceptances 54

THE QUILL

April-may 2020

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kin wijitkasemwong university of reading: food technology & Bioprocessing

What was the most stressful thing leading up to your application?

How do you feel about it now?

K: I feel the most stressful thing was finding a college that suits me. The sheer amount of different colleges offers a lot of variety, but it also makes it hard to select one that I find the best.

Y: For me, the personal statement was the most stressful because it was the main thing that UK colleges look at. It only allows you 4000 characters to tell why you want to attend the college, and it is essentially the deciding factor between your “yes” or “no.”

What is your selected major and why did you select this major?

K: I’m going into food technology and bioprocessing. I want to learn more about how food has developed through the use of technology, and I feel I want to be a part of furthering this process.

Y: Last year I got into dieting and discovered that I had a newfound interest in food science. I also feel that food is something every human being is involved in all of our lives, which makes me particularly enjoy learning more about the subject.

Which college are you going to attend? Why did you choose this college out of all the others?

K: I’m going to attend the University of Reading. It offers research-oriented programs and the most diverse facilities in UK universities. Here, it was judged that 85% of food research has madeoutstanding impact.

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THE QUILL

year ruengarak university of reading: food science & nutrition

Y: I’m going to the University of Reading in England too, as it is one of the most well-known universities for food science. My choices initially came down to the University of Reading and the University of Surrey, however I chose the University of Reading because it focuses more on the production side of food science whereas the University of Surrey is more centered around the medical side of the subject.

Why the UK? K: I feel that the education style in the UK is less varied and more in depth, which suits what I’m looking for. For an English speaking country, the UK also has a history that goes way into the past, and I expect that the culture and people have an interesting background.

Y: I personally don’t have any problem with staying in Thailand or going to the US, but my parents suggest that food science in the UK is better than in Thailand. Two of my sisters are already studying in England, so it would also be convenient for us to travel and support each other.

What are your current feelings towards going to college?

K: I’m very excited as I look forward to a whole new experience in college.

Y: I feel excited overall, but I’m also nervous as I’ve never stayed abroad alone. I’m a little scared about living alone and about how I’m going to handle the culture shock and go about making friends.

April-may 2020

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kodd ingkasuwan strathclyde university: mechanical engineering

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THE QUILL

What are you going to be majoring in at Starthclyde?

I’m going to be studying Mechanical engineering Why did you decide to apply to Strathclyde? and Why Scotland?

I decided to go to Scotland mostly because I wanted a change of pace from life in Bangkok. Glasgow, the city Ustrathclyde is in, is still a big city, but compared to Bangkok its a big change of pace with city size and with the weather and culture. I picked Strathclyde, because of their reputation in Engineering especially Aerospace Engineering that I’m interested in branching out toward eventually What was the application process like for you? any takeaways?

It was honestly very simple and streamlined working with Mcducation, an org that helps send students to Scotland, really help take the work load off of me on the application process. I really do recommend underclassmen to work with similar organizations just for how simple it is What are you looking forward to the most in college/ in Scotland?

The freedom that comes with college life mostly. The rush that one feels when they are in charge uk.

Any advice for all the underclassmen?

Don’t worry about it too much. Statistically, you’re probably overthinking it. Don’t quote me.

April-may 2020

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THE QUILL

thailand:

COLLEGE Acceptances

April-may 2020

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peam Chandanamattha mahidol university

Why did you choose Mahidol?

P: For Mahidol Ramathibodi Hospital, I feel as though I have a lot of memories tied to the place.

Whether it’s for community service, my CapStone Project, or caroling on Christmas Day, I’ve had plenty of memorable experiences. Plus, I’ve also made a few friends during my time there. The culture at the University, I feel, is fitting for a student like me, and that’s the reason I chose Mahidol.

L: Mahidol’s faculty of medicine, particularly Ramathibodi, places a large focus on laboratory research, encouraging students to further their knowledge and make new discoveries in the biomedical field. Lectures here also shifted from traditional lectures to active learning, which involves small group discussions and problem/team-based learning. These factors combined made me feel like Mahidol was the best fit for me.

What were some obstacles you faced before?

P: Well, just like anyone else entering into the Portfolio round, I had to take exams and seek experience for my profile. The latter part was enjoyable, memorable, and truly valuable. Studying and taking exams though--that’s no fun. Preparing and taking the BMAT exam, I guess, would be the first obstacle that comes to mind. The second would be the MMI interviewing process.

L: The main obstacles I faced were rather internal as opposed to external. There were no specific qualifications that would guarantee one’s entry to university for the first round of TCAS, so uncertainty was something all applicants dealt with. The doubt that your portfolio materials and academic scores are actually good enough for application is certainly there.

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THE QUILL

luksorn Wongakkarakhun faculty of medicine

When did you start to know that you want to enter medical school?

P: I became interested in medical school around the 2nd semester of my 10th-grade year.

L: If I recalled correctly, it was back in 8th Grade when I first had the chance to organize activities for special needs children in a rehabilitation center.

Why do you choose to study in Thailand? Did you ever want to go abroad?

P: Before my junior year, I had actually planned on studying medicine abroad. However, when I asked myself about where I really wanted to work and to live the rest of my life, I can’t help but think of Thailand. There are just too many things I’ll miss if I go abroad.

L: Studying abroad and learning about the diverse cultures around the world have always been one of my dreams. However, I chose to study in Thailand because it’s much more convenient to find a job in the medical field after receiving a degree here. Besides, there are many great opportunities for exchange programs in university too!

What do you think is the key idea that made you successful?

P: I think that you have to know what you truly want (at least at this moment). Why are you applying to this major? Is this the future you want? If you can answer those, passion and commitment soon follow, and those things will guide the way to success.

L: Perseverance, dedication, and passion:) How did you deal with school and college at the same time?

P: The ideal answer is time management. The realistic answer is that there is no answer. No matter how early you begin, you’ll still be feeling as though you should’ve prepared earlier. I think that there’s an inevitable compromise: spend more time on applications by spending less time on school work. Of course, your grades may drop a bit, but that’s alright. You just have to think, “It’s senior year after all.”

L: I had to reduce the time I spend on social media and other platforms that were irrelevant to college applications, organizing tasks in terms of priority, and accomplishing each with a different level of emphasis.

What pulled you up when you were hopeless?

P: I think that having friends who are also going through the same application process is the answer to finding hope. When they’re just as stressed out and confused as you, that’s when you feel the strength to pick yourself up. Plus, it’s almost like a spiritual experience to complain and relate over the application process with friends.

L: If you’re certain that you’re walking on a path that would allow you to do what you love in the future, just reminding yourself of the idea would definitely help cheer you up. I find that talking to your family members and friends that are going through the same hardships helps too.

What advice would you give to future seniors about school and college?

P: I’m not sure about Universities outside of Thailand, but the best advice for Thai University applications is to have an alumni who has gone through the pain before. In those times, they’ll be like your guardian angels, giving gifts of advice.

L: Quam bene vivas referre, non quam diu (The important thing isn’t how long you live, but how well you live). So remember to live your high school life well, laugh with your friends, and learn other things outside of academics, too:) April-may 2020

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thaam limwattananon princess chulabhorn college of medical science

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THE QUILL

Why did you choose medicine?

I want to help people --especially those who live in rural areas without access to proper medication. Also, I’ve always loved science in general. I believe that we don’t choose our careers, but instead, they choose us. With that said, I’ve been through and witnessed so many things to which I can’t imagine myself going anywhere except for med school.

Why did you choose Chulabhorn (PCCMS)?

Since I would like to stay in Thailand and continue my medical practice here, it’s best to graduate from a Thai university. In turn, I had to reject all the amazing university offers I received from abroad. Also, PCCMS offers a research-based medical program which I consider to be a crucial skill in the medical field. PCCMS offers a double degree program where we get to spend a year and a bit studying at UCL, which is currently among the top 10 universities in the world. What matters most to me, however, isn’t the ranking, but the fact that I’ll be able to receive a broader range of knowledge. There are perhaps some aspects of studying medicine in England that surpasses Thailand and vice versa. The tuition fee is also reasonable. Although my parents told me to disregard the factor of tuition fees when making my university decisions, I still wouldn’t feel at ease studying in a ridiculously expensive university knowing that my parents work hard to afford my tuition. I would get to spend more time with my parents if I stayed in Thailand compared to if I had gone abroad. Also, the building at PCCMS is nice and big, and I really like it (most important).

What are you looking forward to most as you enter medical school?

Finally not having to study physics, calculus, and history related subjects.

Do you have any tips for underclassmen wanting to go to medical school?

Take every step carefully. Even if you’ve already submitted your portfolio, double check, triple check, call them if you need to, check until you’re 100% sure it’s submitted. Plan everything out beforehand and don’t try to cram everything during senior year. As for the SAT Subjects/ IELTS /BMAT, don’t aim for the passing score/ minimum requirements; aim higher than you think you’ll be able to do. Most importantly, don’t compare yourself to others. I’ve seen numerous amazingly smart and talented people getting rejected from their dream school. Be yourself. Even if other people have higher scores/ better portfolios, remember that you can beat them with your uniqueness and confidence.

April-may 2020

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panpan vongsrirungruang chulalonngkorn university: communication design

When and how did you know you wanted to be a part of the CommDe Chula faculty?

I really enjoyed art and designs ever since I was young and I felt like I knew I wanted to major in something I truly enjoyed. I really like digital arts and I wanted to study something that would be useful for this generationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, and so I felt like this major really combined art and technology in a way that would be useful for me later on in life. I think I knew around the beginning of sophomore year that I wanted to go to CommDe. Sophomore year was really the year where I branched out and did so many art courses and classes to really see if I really did want to major in art rather than to keep it as a hobby.

Have you always been interested in communication design?

No, I think I really started to take interest in Communication Designs when I entered high school.

I knew I enjoyed art, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly know what Communication Designs was. I realized that I needed to find something that I wanted to do for university or it would be too late for me to prepare, and so I started to research more on the different majors I could possibly apply for. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when I started reading on CommDe, and found that it sparked my interest. I also have been doing these types of works for different clubs around the school.

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THE QUILL

What inspired this interest?

I think being raised in a pretty artistic family made me love art and enjoy art ever since I was young.

My aunt and cousins studied art in university and I would always talk and create something with them. What influenced me the most was when I studied in the States during my Sophomore year. I went to so many different states and found that art played an important role in their cities. I went to art museums and theatres and it was like a whole other world that I wanted to be a part of. It made me realize how broad art and communication really is and how many opportunities I could have if I studied in this field.

What activities or hobbies did you participate in that reflected your interests?

I took so many art classes as a kid. Every summer my mom would send me to drawing classes where I would spend all day with my cousins painting. I also liked to sew and make DIYs. Ever since I was young, I would spend my free times watching a tutorial online and creating something very random.

I’ve always been supported to create and to design and my parents never stopped me for making a mess if it involved art. As I grew up, I started to learn how to use the different Adobe apps by myself. I then took a lot of art classes at school. I even took AP studio art twice. I volunteered to make posters for Thai day, International day, and also became Student Council Public Relations. I’ve done a lot of stuff, and I think because I’ve done a lot, I’ve gained more skills and more confidence.

What was the application process like?

The process sounded pretty straightforward at first. I needed 12 artworks, a personal statement, and my SAT score. I finished my SAT since the beginning of my Junior year and I was on the clear for that section. The most difficult part of my journey to CommDe was my portfolio. I went to the art studio where I did my work almost every single week for the first few months of doing my portfolio. Then, a day a week turned into a few days a week. Then, I started taking my work home and doing it almost every single day. I didn’t realize how time consuming and stressful making my portfolio could be, but maybe that’s because I chose to create a lot of big pieces. Some of my pieces took me over 3 months to finish. I had to balance my school work, with my portfolio, as well as my social life. By the end of November 2019, I had around 5 pieces left to finish and I remembered staying at the art studio til midnight. I finished all my work a few days before the deadline and I had to hurriedly write my personal statement and gather all my documents. I went to Chula on Friday and I realized I was missing one document that I needed from ICS. That day was the last day that ICS was open since it was winter break. I panicked and rushed back from Chula to ICS and found that there was almost no one at school. All the students were gone, and the staff ’s office was pitch black. My deadline to turn in my admissions was that Friday, and I needed this document to even get into the university. Luckily, I found Mr. Tyler and he helped me call the office and they got me my document. I couldn’t thank him enough for that day. I rushed back to Chula and turned in my applications right on time.

What was your proudest achievement in high school?

My proudest achievement in high school would probably be winning the AP Studio Art Award as well as being ICS Student Council PR. These two roles made me more confident in my abilities and made me learn so many things.

How did you find out about your acceptance into the university? How excited were you?

I was taking my driving license exam that day, and I was in the orientation room. My phone rang and it was a random number. I went to the bathroom to pick it up and it was Chula calling me that I was accepted into CommDe. I was so excited and I felt numb since I only applied to one university. I texted my parents and my friends instantly and then I had to go take my license test which I passed :)

April-may 2020

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c o n g ratu class of 2020 on

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THE QUILL

u lati o n s ! all acceptances

April-may 2020

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Words by Pat Watcharapong

No doubt, the coronavirus has affected lives globally as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m writing this in the safety of my home during quarantine. As of writing (April 17), there are 2,173,432 confirmed cases, 554,786 recovered cases, and 142,291 deaths, globally. Within Thailand, there are 2,700 confirmed cases, 1,689 recovered cases, and 47 deaths, although some critics suspect the number of cases to be higher.

Symptoms of the virus include: Fever Tiredness Dry cough Aches and pains Nasal congestion Runny nose Sore throat Diarrhea

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Some of these symptoms are shared with other pathogens, which can lead patients to dismiss their symptoms as those of the common cold and seasonal flu. The opposite can be true, as some justifiable experience panic when developing any of the symptoms even before diagnosis.

It is advised when the patient develops symptoms to not panic but rather to treat the situation with caution and to get checked out by a professional.

Regarding the effects of the virus on school, ICS has been closed since March 16 and has been planned to be so until April 30. However, as the Ministry of Education has postponed the start of the semester for Thai schools to be in July, we anticipate that international schools may follow the same schedule.

THE QUILL

MOVIE REVIEW Words by Emily Rubio

“The Platform”, a gory horror-thriller movie by renowned Spanish director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia is sure to keep you up at night.

Imagine yourself in a brutal social experiment. You wake up in a vertical prison, constructed with multiple floors, each small enough to inhabit two inmates. A vertically descending platform passes through each level daily, and for two minutes, you get to eat the leftovers of what the people above you have eaten. After you, it continuously descends down each floor to the bottom of the prison. As those placed on the upper tiers of the prison eat lavishly, those below are left stranded, radicalized, and desperate for a scrap of food. It becomes evident that the lower the floor you are placed in, the more desperate you become for survival.

Filled with cannibalism and violence, this movie also doesn’t shy away from the controversy concerning its message and its relevance to today’s hierarchical society. “The Platform” explores the dark side of capitalism and class warfare, and can be compared to the coronavirus epidemic as those with wealth and better access to a healthcare system have a higher chance of surviving the epidemic than those with fewer resources and money. The same can be said with the inmates living in “The Platform” as those living on higher floors have access to a larger array of food and are fed more than enough, in stark contrast to those at the bottom of the prison with nothing to eat.

This shocking, gruesome, and eye opening thriller has captured the attention of many going through this epidemic — and it has definitely caught mine.

April-may 2020

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THE QUILL