Before travelling to the UK for the conference, I felt both excited and nervous. It was my first time visiting the UK, and although I looked forward to the experience, I was also worried about stepping into an unfamiliar international environment. In Thailand, I had previously participated in several Model United Nations (MUN) conferences, so I was familiar with academic discussions and formal debate settings. However, this conference felt very different from what I had experienced before. Instead of focusing mainly on competition and formal procedures, the atmosphere encouraged open conversation, reflection, and genuine collaboration. Once I arrived, many of my fears slowly disappeared and were replaced by admiration and appreciation for the experience.
As the conference continued, I realised how honoured I felt to be part of this event and such an inspiring community. I began to understand that the purpose of the conference was not only to exchange academic ideas, but also to create a supportive environment where young people could express themselves freely and learn from one another. What impressed me most was how welcoming and respectful everyone was, regardless of different backgrounds or perspectives.
One of the most meaningful parts of the conference for me was meeting students from different countries, especially friends from Uzbekistan and Poland. Before attending, I had never imagined that simple conversations with people from completely different cultures could leave such a strong impression on me. Despite our differences in language and experiences, we connected naturally through our discussions and curiosity about each other’s perspectives.
Listening to their ideas helped me better understand how young people from different parts of the world think about society, education, and global issues. At the same time, I realised that although we grew up in different environments, many of our hopes and concerns were surprisingly similar. These conversations reminded me that international experiences are not only about academic learning, but also about building genuine human connections.
The conference also taught me the importance of communication and collaboration. I learned that meaningful discussion is not only about speaking confidently, but also about listening carefully and respecting different opinions. Being in the UK and participating in an international environment pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me become more confident in expressing myself in English.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the lecturers, organisers, and students in the UK who welcomed us so warmly and took such good care of us throughout the conference. Their kindness and support made this experience truly memorable for me. Looking back, I realise that some of the most valuable lessons came not only from presentations, but from conversations, shared experiences, and the connections we built together.
Siwanart Thananchaya (Lemon), Kasetsart University