<From Curiosity to Contribution: My Decadelong Journey with Sakura Science>

My journey with the Sakura Exchange Programme began in 2015 when I was still a high school student. It was my very first trip abroad—a whirlwind of curiosity and nerves. Despite being familiar with Japanese culture through the media, nothing prepared me for the "vibrant reality" of Japan. I still vividly remember the sight of pedestrians gracefully wearing Kimonos on nearly every footpath, a beautiful blend of traditional culture and cutting-edge technology.

The highlight of that trip, however, was a spontaneous moment of human connection. While walking past a public park, I saw a group of Japanese students playing basketball. As a joke, I called out, "Can I join?" Expecting to be ignored, I was surprised when they welcomed me into their game with genuine enthusiasm. Even though I wasn't particularly good at sports, their kindness made me feel included. That moment taught me that language and skill barriers could be overcome by shared passion and a friendly smile.

Returning to Thailand, I realised that I wanted more of these global experiences. I decided to pour my efforts into my passion for computing while understanding that "soft skills"—such as interpersonal communication and real-time problem solving—were equally crucial. This led me to become an active coordinator for the Sakura Science Club Thailand (SSCT).

My growth within the alumni network has been a personal victory over shyness. I transitioned from a nervous, "boring" presenter to leading icebreaking and networking sessions at our latest alumni meeting. Being the person who encourages others to connect, just as those Japanese students did for me years ago, is a role I take immense pride in. It proved to me that with enough courage, I could overcome any mental struggle.

My path to higher education was another test of resilience. I applied for the Royal Thai Government Scholarship to study User Experience (UX) abroad, facing failure three times before finally succeeding. It was a profound lesson that effort never betrays those with a strong intention. Choosing to pursue my postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom has broadened my horizons further, but my heart remains committed to building bridges between nations.

Today, this journey has led me to a fulfilling destination: I have been appointed as an incoming faculty member at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Upon completing my PhD, I will join KMITL as a lecturer, where I intend to foster research collaborations between Thailand, Japan, and the UK. I want to use my academic position to provide the same life-changing opportunities to my future students that the Sakura Science Programme once gave to me.

To those eager to join the programme: this is your chance to shine and experience the "Japanese way"—don't miss it. And to my fellow alumni: welcome to the club! I look forward to meeting you and collaborating toward a brighter, more connected future.