TH 
EN 
To be honest, my journey to Saipanyarangsit (SPR) School wasn’t exactly planned. My first choice was actually another school, but unfortunately, I didn’t make it. Around that time, SPR opened a second round of applications for their special programs—GIFTED and Mini English Program (MEP) with BFITS.
Since I had been in English programs my whole life, I knew I wanted to continue on that path. So, I decided to apply for the SPR BFITS Program (MEP), even though I had never visited the school before. That day, they were only opening the last 12 seats, and honestly, I had no idea if I would make it.
But eventually, I got in. It was such a close call, but looking back at those six years—from Mathayom 1 (Grade 7) to Mathayom 6 (Grade 12)—I realize how much that last-minute decision shaped my teenage years.
MEP Life: Where Learning Felt Like Family
I didn’t hesitate to apply for MEP because I genuinely enjoyed speaking and studying English. It was something I already liked doing, and the program made it even more enjoyable. My English skills improved a lot, both from the curriculum and from spending time with our foreign BFITS teachers.
Because of my personality—I tend to talk a lot—I ended up chatting with the teachers pretty often. Those conversations helped improve my speaking skills and also built good relationships between us. One thing I really appreciated about our program was how it felt like a big family. Maybe it was because we were mostly based in Building 5, but everyone knew each other—seniors, juniors, teachers, students, and even our program coordinator, P’ Pui.
It created a comfortable environment where I could talk freely and ask anything. Whenever I needed advice or had questions, I could always count on getting the help I needed. That sense of community made school feel less intimidating and much more like a second home.
Projects, Challenges, and Learning Beyond Textbooks
Our program always had projects and challenges for us to work on, and personally, I loved that. These projects pushed me to improve myself and step out of my comfort zone. Each one taught me something different, and those lessons have stuck with me.
They helped shape who I am today—whether it was learning how to work with others, manage time, or handle pressure. To be honest, I enjoyed classes with our foreign teachers more than with our Thai teachers. It’s not that the Thai teachers weren’t good—they were—but since we were in the Mini English Program, we still had to study some subjects in Thai, which felt more traditional.
Classes with foreign teachers were more interactive and engaging, which made learning feel less like work and more natural.
Middle School: From Nightmare to Sweet Dream
My middle school life felt like a dream—a nightmare at the beginning that slowly turned into something sweet. Even though I had studied in an English Program (EP) during primary school, MEP in middle school was much harder. We learned English, Maths, Science, and Computer in 100% English, and I needed time to adapt.
The study part was tough at first, especially because in Mathayom 1 (Grade 7), term 1, it was the only time in my life that I didn’t get a GPA of 4.0. I was so stressed and doubted myself a lot. But things slowly started getting better.
I have so many memories of my teachers from those years. In Mathayom 1 (Grade 7) and Mathayom 2 (Grade 8), I studied English with Teacher Derm English, who felt like a cool, nonchalant grandpa. He loved playing guitar and riding his tiny motorcycle, always wearing a red helmet. He taught us the present continuous tense through a song—“verb to be and I-N-G”—and even made us move our hips along with it. That lesson still sticks with me today.
In Mathayom 3 (Grade 9), I studied with Teacher Joshua Johnson, who was much gentler and calmer. When the class got chaotic, he never raised his voice. He would just calmly say, “Okay, guys, let’s come back and learn.” He was patient, warm-hearted, and always answered questions with a smile. He felt like a big, kind bear to me.
Bright Teachers Who Left Lasting Impressions
For Maths, I studied with Teacher Suid William Srisawat, the teacher I was closest to. He had been teaching us since pre-session week, and even though I hated math, he made it feel easy and enjoyable. He also helped improve my speaking skills because we talked so much in class. Even though he moved away, I’m still close with him today.
In Science, my Grade 7 teacher was Teacher Bill Danel, who I remember as a “mad scientist” type—kind but only with us for one year. In Grade 8, I studied with Teacher Ada Mangaoang, my first female teacher. She was fun, kind, and loved gossiping with us while still being very good at teaching. In Grade 9, I studied Science with Teacher Anthony Ferrer, who always wore red gingham shirts—his signature look. Even now, whenever I see that pattern, I think of him.
For Computer, we studied with Teacher Neil Rusia, who was soft-spoken, calm, and incredibly kind. Computer wasn’t easy in English, but he made it feel approachable. We adored him—he was tiny, gentle, and always patient.
I was close to almost every teacher during my middle school years, and learning felt manageable and fun. I also admired my seniors so much. Watching their project presentations made me think, “How can I ever be that talented?” They inspired me to work harder and dream bigger.
High School: The Best Rollercoaster Ride
When high school started, I hesitated about continuing at SPR because the university faculty I wanted required a third language. But I stayed—mostly because I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone. Looking back now, I don’t think I made the wrong decision.
Our first year was during COVID-19, so we studied online. It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t terrible either. The two years we studied in person were unforgettable—the best years of my life. High school truly felt like a rollercoaster.
In Mathayom 5 (Grade 11) and Mathayom 6 (Grade 12), I studied English with Teacher Charles Williams, who was hands down the best English teacher I ever had. His classes were fun, informative, and never boring. For Maths, I studied with Teacher Dina Uy and later Teacher Jehnelle Malabanan, who at first felt strict but later became incredibly kind and easy to learn from.
For Computer, I studied with Teacher Aldwin Malabanan, whom I was initially scared of. He turned out to be funny, caring, and someone I grew close to over time. His projects were interesting, and his class improved my English more than I expected.
In Writing class, after many teacher changes, we ended with Teacher Kassandra Bailey, who felt like a big sister. She was the one who made me cry on our Graduation Day. That class helped me so much with essay writing, which I now use constantly in university.
If I Could Choose Again, I’d Choose the Same Path
While the MEP program offered a different experience in high school than it did in middle school, I would still choose SPR’s MEP every single time. My teenage life here was remarkable. I made incredible friends, joined unforgettable activities, and gained experiences I don’t think I could have had anywhere else.
If I had a time machine, I wouldn’t change anything. Those six years shaped who I am today—the best version of me.
