CTH Student Voices – Vern Onketphon

CTH graduate, Vern Onketphon discusses her time in London, her experiences and gives some advice to potential hospitality students.

Hi there, could you please tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

Hi, my name is Jirattikarn Onketphon but my nickname is Vern. I went to London in 2007 straight after finishing High School in Thailand.

Vern it is then. So Vern, had you been away from home prior to living in London?

It was really my first time away from home. The first 3 months were tough to live in a place with a totally different culture and way of living.

That's understandable, it can be scary being away from home for that long. So, how did you adjust to the lifestyle and how was your time spent in London?

First, I started to study English lessons at King’s Street College and spent a year finishing the first certificate level. After that, I started studying the Diploma for Hospitality and Tourism management (Level 6 Professional Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality) at West London College, then I went on to study the Higher Diploma (Level 7 Executive Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism) the year after. Upon successfully completing my diplomas, I decided to pursue a BA Hons degree in International Hospitality Management from Bournemouth University.

Wow, you’re very ambitious. So, what did you do after this?

With all the experience I had from studying at the highly recognised West London College, it gave me an opportunity to get a job as a Front Office Agent at a 4-star hotel, Lancaster London. Moreover, when I settled back in Thailand, it gave me an even better opportunity to succeed when I applied for a job.

So what did you get out of the experience as a whole?

Studying abroad did give me lots of great experiences, strength, confidence and it taught me how to adapt and work in a diverse environment.

Those are some very valuable skills, especially in the hospitality industry. We wish you much success in the future.

Thank you.

Lastly Vern, if you could give one piece of advice to potential students, what would it be?

I would definitely say choosing the right course at the right place is important, it will positively draw your future to be what you want it to be.

Vern is now working as an Associate Market Manager at Expedia in Thailand; Expedia is one of biggest Online Travel Agents in the world.