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Kira Bernhard’s relationship with food is a vitalizing, enriching one. It has also been tumultuous at times. In this episode, she shares a few life stories about her work with food, social media, and future aspirations.

Her blog, Spoonful Delight started off as a way to reconnect with her love for food. Back in high school, Kira recalls how she would stress at the mere sight of food, leading to an eating disorder. She now finds fulfillment in sharing healthy, wholesome food with over 20,000 followers on her blog and Instagrampage. 

Kira talks about how authenticity truly makes you stand out in the world of social media. She will only promote the brands that she would use herself, and her followers trust her to do that. “Followers follow you for you,” she says. 

Currently, she is interning for a social media company called Good Food Made Simple. The story is a charming one: her boss also ran an Instagram page on meal prep, and they connected by talking about food. She has also met many of her followers in real life through her travels. 

After graduating with a degree in biochemistry, Kira is looking to become a registered dietician and hopefully become involved in the health business. One thing is for sure though, and it is that food will be a part of her life wherever she goes.

Produced by UniGlo in collaboration with Next Step Connections.

Ken Lohatepanont’s passion for politics has drawn the attention of major news outlets and even Thailand’s constitution drafting committee. Now, he’s studying political science at the University of California, Berkeley, while continually refining his views. Amidst a volatile political landscape, he and Michael Waitze chat about transitions, writing, and democracy.

After receiving college acceptances, Ken decided that Berkeley fit him best, “It’s the epicenter of public policy research…wanted to experience it for myself.” Initially, he was shocked by the size. Berkeley’s 800-person lectures completely dwarfed KIS International School’s30-strong graduating class. But by “carving out his own neighborhood”, Ken was able to get involved with Berkeley’s student government and create meaningful relationships in college. 

The two spend a bit of time discussing democracy and what makes it sustainable. Many concepts surface such as acting in good faith, the polarization of society, and barriers to a thriving democracy. Ken discusses how his views have changed compared to when he was still in high school. He’s now a firm believer in the long-term sustainability of democracy in Thailand. 

To further engage with politics, Ken also writes on his blog, kenlwrites.com. They discuss how writing can have a significant impact, especially during times of political crisis. Ken describes his mission as, “promoting political literacy, and countering misinformation.” His next project? A series on Thailand’s political crises from the late 90’s. 

Michael wraps up with some life advice for large institutions and by extension, the real world: “You have to stand up and ask for it. ‘I want to do that.’ If you want something, you have to go get it.“ 

Ken agrees.

Produced by UniGlo in collaboration with Next Step Connections.

Sophomore Varisa Limpijankitreflects on her college application experience and transition to Tufts University. Michael Waitze recalls a few stories of his own. The two sit down together to share common, yet unique experiences.

The college application process brought Varisa’s whole class together. At the International School of Bangkok, those who never talked before helped revise essays and provide emotional support in times of need. She reflects, “we really depended on each other.” Michael shares a small anecdote about his own bumpy SAT day story.

Varisa offers a bit of advice for current applicants: put your health first; applications don’t define who you are, even if it’s difficult in the moment to realize that; “You are so much more than that one acceptance letter.” Know that wherever you go, you’ll thrive. 

What about once you get to college? Both agree that it’s important to keep in touch with your core group of friends. Varisa describes how she keeps in contact with her ISB friends, and the Tufts Thai club where she has found a home on foreign soil. Michael shares how a friend drove a long way to meet him, forging a deeper bond between the two. To them, this is how friendships are made to last forever, from high school to college and beyond.

Produced by UniGlo in collaboration with Next Step Connections.

For Madison Frye, “moving is the norm”.  She spends a cool half-hour with Michael Waitze discussing her global life journey. Madison has lived in four cities: Montreal, Kobe, Tokyo and Bangkok, where she attended Bangkok Patana School. She is currently studying Biomedical Engineering at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She finds that when you are always expecting change, the adjustment process becomes easier.

At Brown, with its open curriculum, Madison is able to pursue her many academic interests. She is currently looking to study Biomedical Engineering. Having not taken Physics or Higher Level Math in high school, she fully accepts her under-preparedness. This has not stopped her from taking an active learning approach to succeed in her studies. Madison is also considering a minor in design… She’s decisive on being undecided.

Madison has been fearless in exploring new knowledge and its applications. She has co-founded Kazari, a minimalist apparel startup that uses sustainable materials. She is also applying her biomedical engineering knowledge at Koi Prosthetics to develop low-cost prosthetics for South East Asia. She states confidently, “I don’t like to set a list of no’s, but just give everything a go.” There’s nothing she won’t try, and that is how she takes advantage of all that the world has to offer.

Produced by UniGlo in collaboration with Next Step Connections

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As the fall semester begins, University of Waterloo second-year Kalil Magtoto and Michael Waitze sit down to reflect on what it means to move high schools, study in the IB program, and define yourself…

Moving to NIST International School in 2015, “I came in with all that huff-and-puff pride.” Kalil suddenly joins a new community of talented future world-changers, learning more about himself in the process. He finds trouble with academics, and struggles between his dwindling passion for mathematics and growing interest in the arts. For a while, he felt like he was struggling alone.

However, change leads to adaptation. Kalil discusses how recognizing his family’s unspoken trust and empathy has allowed him to make better subject choices for himself. Despite others’ expectations and personal fears, Kalil wholeheartedly embraces his love for film and creative content.

Diversity and learning are also key themes in Kalil’s adolescent growth. His journey exposed him to differences in culture, in people, in notions of “smartness”. The two analyze the International Baccalaureate program, and how it challenges you to learn what you truly need to know.

Finally, Kalil describes how at UWaterloo, he meets brilliant people who think in fundamentally different ways. Broadened perspectives push him to embrace differences, meet new people, and continually refine his own viewpoints.

Produced by UniGlo in collaboration with Next Step Connections.