Kanta Sudlapa, First Thai Recipient of Deakin University’s Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship

Sawasdee ka! I am Kanta Sudlapa, but my friends know me by the name of Eagle. As you may have guessed, I am from the city of Bangkok, Thailand, and I have lived here my whole life with my close-knit family of four. I enjoy countless hobbies like baking, golfing, hiking, playing the guitar, and so much more!

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by issues like poverty and social inequality, which sparked my interest in studying economics and politics. Due to this, I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Deakin University. I am honoured to be a recipient of their 100% Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship, marking history as the first Thai student to earn this prestigious award.

 Scholarships Details

I applied for scholarships at two universities and am grateful to be awarded both:

1. 1. The 100% Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship at Deakin University is the institution’s most prestigious award, granted to a highly limited number of students annually based on academic achievement, social engagement, and leadership skills. It offers a full tuition waiver for the program’s duration. Additionally, awardees gain access to the exclusive Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program, which provides tailored personal and professional development sessions for future employability.
   2. The Vice-Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship at the University of South Australia (soon to be Adelaide University) is granted to a highly limited number of students annually for exceptional academic performance and societal contributions. As an awardee, I gain a 50% tuition waiver throughout the entirety of my degree.

In addition to the two scholarships that required additional application documents, I was also offered over $323,000 AUD in automatic scholarships from various Australian institutions, including:

• International Undergraduate Scholarship (Bond University) - $71,000 AUD
• Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship (University of Melbourne) - $41,500 AUD
• UC Excellence Scholarship (University of Canberra) - $32,220 AUD
• JCU International Excellence Scholarship (James Cook University) - $25,590 AUD

Educational Background

I graduated from Regent’s International School with a music (flute and vocals) and academic scholarship, completing the IB Diploma with a score of 40/45 (4.04 GPA-equivalent), and a high school GPA of 3.93. Undertaking the IB program undeniably sharpened my time management, responsibility, and critical thinking - all of which are essential university, work, and life skills.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Australian Institutions?

The application process for Australian universities was relatively straightforward - most institutions do not require personal statements or short answer questions. I was exempted from taking the IELTS test requirement since I met the required grade in IB English.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Scholarships ?

Preparing for competitive scholarships required extensive research. I regularly spent my nights gathering information, reviewing hundreds of personal statement examples, and then eventually brainstorming my own (I did at least 17 full redrafts!). Over time, I carefully refined my application to showcase who I am as an individual holistically.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think that one of the key factors that truly made my application stand out was my ability to integrate my passions into meaningful societal contributions. I have been fortunate to experience countless opportunities across various fields, which allowed me to gain a clear understanding of what I wanted to focus on by the time I was in late middle school. For example, my love for music, teaching, and helping others enabled me to make a long-lasting impact as a TV host, where I composed original songs with my guitar, flute, piano, and voice, incorporating basic English vocabulary to help break language barriers for future Thai generations. The program, which aired on Thailand’s national broadcasting network and YouTube for three consecutive years, earned national recognition for its creativity and societal impact. However, knowing that I helped uplift thousands of households was the most rewarding part of this journey.

By applying my passions for a societal purpose, I believe that I was able to transparently showcase my character and uniqueness, subsequently making my essays, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations stand out.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I could have done things differently, I would have applied for scholarships in other regions, such as Europe or the USA. Ultimately, there is nothing to lose, except time. However, try to think of it from another perspective: the more essays you write, the better your writing skills become. Needless to say, applying to scholarships beyond Australia might have also broadened my educational opportunities even further.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

For those aiming towards highly competitive scholarships, my advice is to have a clear response to the question: Why, out of all other applications, should they choose you? Remember, you are putting yourself in a pool of thousands of equally talented individuals, so authenticity is key. Rejection is redirection; stay true to yourself, and the right opportunity will find its way to you.

If you would like any personal or direct advice, feel free to contact me through the social media platforms listed above. You are not alone - Good luck!