Recent graduates share their stories

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Read the following story by Suthivas Tanphaibul from Bangkok Post’s Guru Magazine. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Stepping out into the world as a fresh graduate is tough enough without Covid. Guru spoke to a few graduates to learn about their struggles.


Chanutnart "Plai" Yamdech
Bachelor of Arts Programme in Social Communication Innovation, Srinakharinwirot University

How did it feel to graduate during a pandemic?
I took a break right after my graduation. However, I saw many people lose their jobs, as well as my friends venting about their failed job searches on social media. I just felt like the longer I stayed home, the more pressure I put on myself.

What are your thoughts on "#GiveUsBackJoysOfOurYouth" (#เอาชีวิตวัยรุ่นกูคืนมา)?
The phrase is what I feel on a daily basis. Since the last year of my uni life, many things have been taken away. Those years are supposed to be our most memorable moments of friendship, but it is all gone because of Covid-19.

Swit "Boon" Narksakul
Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts Programme in Visual Arts, Srinakharinwirot University

What are your thoughts on "#GiveUsBackJoysOfOurYouth"?
As fresh graduates, this year is supposed to be the most beautiful moment of our lives, where we are full of passion and energy to discover who we are. Instead, we are prevented from living a full life. The government's mismanagement of the current situation has robbed many things from us.

If the pandemic didn't happen, what would you be doing?
As an art student, I have dreamed about my thesis exhibition since the first year I entered university. However, the pandemic took away that dream forever. Even though we can showcase our work via an online exhibition, it is disappointing for us artists.

What are you doing at the moment?
As a part-time street photographer, I want to use all photos that I've taken to tell the world about what is really happening in Thailand.

Pongsathon "Tent" Pumnikom
Bachelor of Arts in International Asean-China Studies, Thammasat University

What have you missed out on in the past year?
The gap year [last year] that I wished for turned out to be a horrible year of emptiness. For now, I'm trying to stop myself from thinking about my dream of being a flight attendant and other things that I missed out on.

What are your thoughts on “#GiveUsBackJoysOfOurYouth"?
I believe that mismanagement of the situation by the government is one of the factors that worsen everyone's lives. Last year, when the coronavirus swept across the world, I knew right away that I must give up on my dream job.

What’s your life plan now?
I have set my new goal to become a lecturer. Students still have to learn via online learning and continue to develop.


Section 1: Write the correct answer in the space provided.
1. Where did Plai study? …………….
2. Which graduate attended a different university to the other two? …………….
3. What was Tent’s dream job? …………….
4. Which dream of Boon’s was cancelled? …………….
5. Who felt pressure at home?…………..
6. Who wants to work in education? …………….

Section 2: Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
“Instead of …7… the world or discovering our passion, we …8… stuck at home or even being forced to get a job straight away. It's …9… a waste of time. However, it isn't the …10… of the world.”

7. __A. explore             __B. explored                __C. exploring
8. __A. are                 __B. can                  __C. must
9. __A. only            __B. such               __C. very
10. __A. end            __B. whole                __C. time
       
Section 3: Find words that match the following definitions.
11. difficult to do or deal with ……………
12. difficulties faced when trying to deal with something ……………
13. a worried feeling that you get when you have to deal with a difficult situation  ……………
14. the act of controlling something badly  …………

Answers: 1. Srinakharinwirot University. 2. Tent. 3. flight attendant. 4. thesis exhibition. 5. Plai. 6. Tent. 7. c. 8. a. 9. b. 10. a. 11.  tough. 12. struggles. 13. pressure. 14. mismanagement.