Hello from the U.S.
It’s been about 4 months since I moved to the U.S. to pursue my MBA at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University.
I used to dream of studying abroad, but I put that dream aside for about 5-6 years while enjoying my work life. Then, last year, when I was traveling in New Zealand and chatting with some locals, that long lost dream unexpectedly came back to me. I thought it would be a great experience to study abroad again — and honestly, I realized that speaking English is just so much fun! (English is my second language and I am not good at all)
What a random starting point that brought me here, but here I am now, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
While most MBA students spend one to three years preparing for admission, I had only ten months to make my dream come true with sponsorship from my current company, The Siam Cement Group (SCG). I never imagined how tough the process would be. Everything was new to me back then. I checked all the requirements and worked on them relentlessly — GMAT/EA, IELTS, essays, school research, and interview practice — all during the busiest year of my career. (I had no idea that year would turn out to be that crazy!)
I rarely hung out with friends because I went straight home after work to study and prepare. There were even a month when I couldn’t do anything related to the application because work took up all my time. I admit it — no complaints.
At that time, I believed I had a very low chance of getting into a top and world-class business school. My profile wasn’t impressive in my opinion — low GMAT score, low GPA, no fancy job experience just a communication girl with no quant and business background — and, most importantly, I had no time to make it better, even though I gave it everything I had. Again, no complaints. I did my best, and honestly, I loved my job and what I was doing.
Actually, there were times when I wanted to give up and bury that dream deep inside my soul again. Luckily, I have amazing people around me — friends, colleagues, and family — who kept encouraging me and believing in me. Without them, I would definitely still be in Bangkok.
Waiting for the admission result was one of the craziest times of my life. Even though I thought my chances were low, I still hoped I would get in. I couldn’t sleep and kept checking my phone for that one email. Even though I knew they usually call, not email, if you get accepted!
On the announcement day, I finally got an email from the Fuqua saying that I was on the waitlist. It was such a mix of emotions. I didn’t get accepted, but at least there was still hope.
So, I decided to give it another try by submitting additional materials to show how much I truly wanted to study at Fuqua. The video essay wasn’t mandatory at first, so I hadn’t made one. I just followed what most people did and the standard requirements. But this time, I decided to do something different. I brought my uniqueness to the table which is creating videos and telling stories in a creative way. I’ve been working in the communication field for a long time, so I know how to craft a compelling story and present it effectively — even better than writing or speaking, at least in my case.
I only had one week to finish it. In the video, with much help from friends, I shared my background, my reasons for pursuing an MBA, why I chose Fuqua, and what inspired me — all in a creative and fun way. By this way, it wasn’t just about explaining who I am, it was about showing it. I wanted the admissions team to feel my energy, my passion, and the value I could bring to the class.
When I watched the completed video, I couldn’t help but think “What if I had submitted this earlier?” “Would my chances have been higher?” “What if I had shown my uniqueness more clearly from the start?”
That moment taught me something important — sometimes, following the same path as everyone else doesn’t guarantee success. To truly stand out, I need to create my own path and put my signature on it. (at least meet the requirement and then do beyond that)
One evening, while I was working at the office, my phone suddenly rang. It was a number from the U.S. +1 My heart started shaking. I picked up and said, “Hi, good evening.” Then a woman on the other side said, “Hi! Are you Monkanok? I’m [her name] from the Fuqua School of Business… I’d like to offer you admission to our MBA program.”
I was speechless and then I just cried.
But the most memorable part wasn’t even the offer itself. She said, “I really loved your video! I shared it with my colleagues, and we think it was the best video we’ve seen in a while!”
I was speechless again. That feeling of being truly seen for who I am was the best moment ever.
So, this MBA admission journey has been more than just getting into business school. It was a wake-up call for me to recognize and believe in my own uniqueness and to use it to succeed.
And foremost, don’t give up no matter what!
Don’t let anyone say you can’t or that you are an underdog.
Thank you, Fuqua, for giving me the opportunity to be part of your school and for seeing me for who I truly am. I couldn’t ask for more!
And thank you, people around me. I wouldn’t have come this far without you.
like a kid. 