Teaching is more than just a profession – for many, it’s a lifelong commitment to guide, inspire and empower others. Ariya Suriyabutr is no exception.
As a biology teacher in Thailand, Ariya says the most rewarding part of her role is using her knowledge and experience to help her students grow.
“To me, teaching isn’t just about delivering content – it’s also about supporting students as they work toward their goals,” she explains. “Seeing them achieve their dreams is the most rewarding part of my job. I feel proud and fulfilled knowing I was even a small part of their journey.”
When Ariya chose to study a Master of Education at Curtin, she hoped to strengthen her teaching skills and gain international experience. What she didn’t expect was just how deeply the journey would shape her – both professionally and personally.
Learning through real classroom experience
As part of her studies, Ariya completed two school placements in local Perth high schools – an experience she says proved invaluable.
“During my studies, I had the chance to visit two high schools in Perth once a week. These school visits were a great experience – I observed different classes in STEM and other subjects, worked as a STEM teaching assistant, and coached students on their projects,” she recalls.
“This helped me develop my teaching and mentoring skills. Talking with teachers and students gave me a fresh perspective on education in another country. Overall, the visits were one of the most valuable parts of my experience, and I continue to apply what I learned in my current career.”
Now back home in Thailand, Ariya teaches STEM-based subjects and supports her students with the confidence and critical thinking she honed during her time at Curtin.
“Two of the most valuable skills I gained at Curtin were critical thinking and communication. The focus on reading and exploring research, combined with class discussions really helped me develop these skills.”
Since graduating in 2020, Ariya has gone on to achieve professional success, winning a gold award as a project advisor at the 2021 National Science Fair in Thailand. More recently, she was selected to participate in the Belt and Road Shanghai Autumn Exchange Project, hosted by UNESCO and Shanghai Normal University. The theme this year is ‘Social and Emotional Learning of Teachers and Students in the AI Era’.
A student-focused, supportive learning environment
Looking back, Ariya says her professional growth is closely tied to Curtin’s flexible, discussion-rich learning environment.
“What I’ve enjoyed most in my course is the learning style at Curtin, which allowed me to explore and engage with the topics I was most interested in,” she explains. “I also really enjoyed learning from and speaking with amazing professors, some of whose work I had read before.”
“Those conversations and discussions with classmates really expanded my thinking. I feel like I grew a lot – not just academically but personally. Being in that environment made me realise there’s always more to learn, and I really enjoyed the process of sharing ideas and learning from others.”
Building a global perspective
As a biology teacher, Ariya says she was especially fascinated by Australia’s natural environment and ecosystems.
“Studying at Curtin gave me the chance to travel internationally, and it was an amazing experience. I learned how to adapt to a new environment and loved exploring Australia’s unique ecosystems, which were completely new to me.”
She says the people she met abroad also shaped her outlook.
“I loved how multicultural Australia is. Meeting people from different backgrounds helped me grow a lot, both as a person and as a teacher.”
A welcoming place to live and learn
Moving to a new country is a big step, but Ariya says she found strong support from the Curtin community.
“I moved to Curtin with other Thai friends who were also on government scholarships, which made the transition easier,” she explains. “Our professor, John Williams, took very good care of us and helped me adapt quickly. My classmates and host family were also very supportive, so I never felt homesick during my time at Curtin.”
She says the Perth campus was a great place to learn and engage in new experiences.
“I liked the environment at Curtin, which allowed me to study effectively. The facilities, such as the library and classrooms, were clean and comfortable, and the support staff were helpful and friendly.”
She also found time to participate in meaningful extracurricular experiences.
“One activity I particularly enjoyed was being a storyteller at the Centre for Stories. It was a wonderful experience that gave me the chance to share my story and build confidence.”
🎧 Listen to Ariya share her experiences first-hand.
If you’re an international student considering study in Perth, Ariya has some advice:
“I would tell future students to prepare for both their course and the new environment. This is especially important for students from outside Australia, as studying here might be different from what they’re used to. I also suggest keeping an open mind and joining various activities. It’s a great way to try new things and can really help in your future career.”
Ready to start your global journey?
