International education "beneficial"

       The trend towards international education is growing in Thailand.
       More Thai students are eager to become fluent in English, because it is the global language and will help them to find better job opportunities.
       Students who acted as exhibitors and visitors at yesterday's Thailand International Education Exhibition 2009 gave their opinions on international education in Thailand to The Nation.
       Thanaboon 'Na' Wanlopsirinun, 20, an exhibitor, video jockey of OIC television programme and a third-year communication arts student at Assumption University (ABAC):
       "I studied for my secondary-school levels at a state school. I understood very little English. My English has improved since studying here. Every lecturer always speaks English. It's really useful for me when I interview foreigners, like Korean singers. I understand them, so it makes my job easier. ABAC sets out to change students to be like business people, so I've learned to be punctual, methodical and responsible.
       "Future work [prospects for those who study in Thailand] are not inferior to those of people who study abroad. We have connections in Thailand; it's good for us to work here. Students studying abroad have connections there. They will benefit if they work abroad, too. However, if I decide to work abroad and they [want to] work in Thailand, both of us [will] need to adjust ourselves."
       Arisa Klinkhachornsak, 18, an exhibition visitor and a freshman studying journalism at Thammasat University (TU):
       "I decided to study in the international programme because I want to be skilled at English, but I don't want to spend the high costs of living abroad. Studying here makes me more confident in expressing my opinions, as lecturers listen to me.
       "I have opted for other international programmes in Thailand, for instance business. I'll probably use the knowledge to run my family's business.
       "However, when I graduate with my bachelor's degree from TU and I can take care of myself, I aim to further my higher education abroad. My cousins told me of their experience abroad, and how being fluent in English helped them to get well-paid jobs when they studied there, especially in the US.
       "People graduating from foreign lands are better off than those from the international education system in Thai land, particularly those who graduate from prestigious or world-class academic institutions. This also happens in Thailand. Graduates from the country's top universities are considered before others."
       Ratchawut Cherdchuvanit, 20, an exhibitor and a junior studying communication art at Chulalongkorn University (CU):
       "CU focuses on giving students basic knowledge and encourages them to apply the acquired knowledge themselves. I chose the international programme here partly because of cheaper costs. Parents should invest in their children's education as much as they can. It's worth the investment.
       "Graduating from an international programme is better than graduating from a Thai programme in my opinion. We learn specialised knowledge together with practising English. It's easier to work in an international company.
       "I wish to work in Japan and maybe China, so I study Japanese as my third language and probably Chinese will be my fourth language."
       Kusuma Suksri, 17, a visitor and a Matthayom 5 (11th grade) student from Suansri Witthaya School in Chumphon:
       "I'm studying in the science-mathematics fields. Not only science and mathematics are important for me, but also English language. I'll try to gain more and more information until I finish my secondary-school levels before I make a decision on whether I will study in an international programme or study abroad. I will look for information about both education formats to compare their strong and weak points."