Embedded Files
NISC 2026 | Day 1: Sawasdee, Thailand!
NISC 2026 | Day 1: Sawasdee, Thailand!
17 Aug 2026 | Monday
Our NISC journey began bright and early, or perhaps not quite so bright yet, as we arrived at Changi Airport at 4 am, sleepy but excited for the five days ahead. After checking in and bidding farewell to our families, we were finally on our way to Thailand for the 10th Nairong International Students' Conference (NISC).
Our NISC journey began bright and early, or perhaps not quite so bright yet, as we arrived at Changi Airport at 4 am, sleepy but excited for the five days ahead. After checking in and bidding farewell to our families, we were finally on our way to Thailand for the 10th Nairong International Students' Conference (NISC).
All set for our NISC journey!
After an early breakfast on board and a short flight, we touched down in Bangkok, where we received our first taste of Thai hospitality. Waiting to welcome us were our friendly hosts from Matthayom Watnairong School, who greeted us warmly upon our arrival.
After an early breakfast on board and a short flight, we touched down in Bangkok, where we received our first taste of Thai hospitality. Waiting to welcome us were our friendly hosts from Matthayom Watnairong School, who greeted us warmly upon our arrival.
Touchdown in Bangkok!
From Bangkok, we embarked on a two-hour coach journey to Nakhon Pathom, which would be our home for the next few days. Unsurprisingly, after the very early start, much of the journey was a quiet one, with many of us taking the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep!
From Bangkok, we embarked on a two-hour coach journey to Nakhon Pathom, which would be our home for the next few days. Unsurprisingly, after the very early start, much of the journey was a quiet one, with many of us taking the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep!
A Warm Welcome to Nakhon Pathom
A Warm Welcome to Nakhon Pathom
Upon reaching our hotel, we were greeted once again by our hosts, this time by a group of enthusiastic student hosts who had come to receive the international delegates. Their confidence and warmth left an impression on us. Even before the conference had officially begun, we were already experiencing how students could step forward, take ownership and make visitors feel welcome.
Upon reaching our hotel, we were greeted once again by our hosts, this time by a group of enthusiastic student hosts who had come to receive the international delegates. Their confidence and warmth left an impression on us. Even before the conference had officially begun, we were already experiencing how students could step forward, take ownership and make visitors feel welcome.
We made it to Nakhon Pathom
As our rooms were not yet ready for check-in, we had some time to settle down and explore the hotel. We had initially understood that lunch would not be provided, so we arranged for food to be delivered.
As our rooms were not yet ready for check-in, we had some time to settle down and explore the hotel. We had initially understood that lunch would not be provided, so we arranged for food to be delivered.
Then came our first surprise of the trip. Lunch had, in fact, been prepared for us!
Then came our first surprise of the trip. Lunch had, in fact, been prepared for us!
The unexpected second lunch gave us a rather timely reminder of one of the very issues we had travelled to NISC to discuss: food waste. After weeks of exploring how food can be wasted despite abundance, we suddenly found ourselves confronted with a small, real-life example of how miscommunication can lead to more food than is needed.
The unexpected second lunch gave us a rather timely reminder of one of the very issues we had travelled to NISC to discuss: food waste. After weeks of exploring how food can be wasted despite abundance, we suddenly found ourselves confronted with a small, real-life example of how miscommunication can lead to more food than is needed.
Good food, good company and growing friendships!
More importantly, it was our first lesson in something that would become useful throughout an overseas experience: being adaptable and learning to roll with the punches when things do not go quite according to plan.
More importantly, it was our first lesson in something that would become useful throughout an overseas experience: being adaptable and learning to roll with the punches when things do not go quite according to plan.
Exploring Nakhon Pathom
Exploring Nakhon Pathom
With some time before the official evening programme, we headed out to Central Nakhon Pathom for our first look around the city.
With some time before the official evening programme, we headed out to Central Nakhon Pathom for our first look around the city.
Our first little adventure in Nakhon Pathom
At first glance, the shopping mall felt surprisingly familiar. From recognisable shops and brands to the sights and sounds of a busy modern mall, there were many similarities to what we were accustomed to back home in Singapore. Yet, being in a different country gave even the familiar a slightly different flavour.
At first glance, the shopping mall felt surprisingly familiar. From recognisable shops and brands to the sights and sounds of a busy modern mall, there were many similarities to what we were accustomed to back home in Singapore. Yet, being in a different country gave even the familiar a slightly different flavour.
We happily explored the shops, picked up small purchases and enjoyed snacks and ice cream along the way. More importantly, the afternoon gave everyone some unstructured time together. Away from school and the usual routines, conversations flowed more easily over lunch, shopping and shared discoveries. We began to see the group becoming more comfortable with one another, which is an important start to the five days we would be spending together.
We happily explored the shops, picked up small purchases and enjoyed snacks and ice cream along the way. More importantly, the afternoon gave everyone some unstructured time together. Away from school and the usual routines, conversations flowed more easily over lunch, shopping and shared discoveries. We began to see the group becoming more comfortable with one another, which is an important start to the five days we would be spending together.
New Faces, New Friendships
New Faces, New Friendships
After returning to the hotel, it was finally time to check into our rooms before gathering again for dinner. By this point, it seemed as though eating had become one of the unofficial themes of Day 1: breakfast on the flight, an unexpected double lunch, snacks at the mall and finally, dinner!
After returning to the hotel, it was finally time to check into our rooms before gathering again for dinner. By this point, it seemed as though eating had become one of the unofficial themes of Day 1: breakfast on the flight, an unexpected double lunch, snacks at the mall and finally, dinner!
The evening then brought our first official opportunity to interact with the other NISC delegates through a series of ice-breaking activities.
The evening then brought our first official opportunity to interact with the other NISC delegates through a series of ice-breaking activities.
Making new friends starts with saying hello!
For some of us, walking into a room full of unfamiliar faces and being expected to mingle was perhaps not the most comfortable prospect. However, as the activities got underway, the initial hesitation gradually gave way to conversations, laughter and new connections.
For some of us, walking into a room full of unfamiliar faces and being expected to mingle was perhaps not the most comfortable prospect. However, as the activities got underway, the initial hesitation gradually gave way to conversations, laughter and new connections.
Taking the first steps towards connecting with fellow delegates
We met fellow students from other schools in Singapore as well as delegates from other countries. What initially seemed daunting quickly became enjoyable as we discovered that everyone was here for the same reason: to learn, participate and get to know one another.
We met fellow students from other schools in Singapore as well as delegates from other countries. What initially seemed daunting quickly became enjoyable as we discovered that everyone was here for the same reason: to learn, participate and get to know one another.
Getting to know fellow delegates from different schools and countries
Conversations, laughter and new friendships began to take shape
Breaking the ice through games and conversations with fellow delegates
It was a simple but important reminder to keep an open mind when approaching unfamiliar experiences. Sometimes, the things we are least certain about can turn out to be some of the most enjoyable parts of the journey.
It was a simple but important reminder to keep an open mind when approaching unfamiliar experiences. Sometimes, the things we are least certain about can turn out to be some of the most enjoyable parts of the journey.
Ready or Not, Here Comes Day 2!
Ready or Not, Here Comes Day 2!
Just when we thought our very long first day was coming to an end, there was one more challenge waiting for us.
Just when we thought our very long first day was coming to an end, there was one more challenge waiting for us.
Some of us received our roles for the following day's conference activities, with some taking on responsibilities as chairpersons, respondents, secretaries and representatives. With limited time to prepare, there was understandably a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Some of us received our roles for the following day's conference activities, with some taking on responsibilities as chairpersons, respondents, secretaries and representatives. With limited time to prepare, there was understandably a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Our school's representative rehearsing for the Opening Ceremony the next day
It may not have been how everyone imagined ending their first night in Thailand, but perhaps that is precisely what an experience like NISC is about. Not every challenge comes with days of preparation. Sometimes, we have to trust what we know, support one another, adapt quickly and give something unfamiliar our best shot.
It may not have been how everyone imagined ending their first night in Thailand, but perhaps that is precisely what an experience like NISC is about. Not every challenge comes with days of preparation. Sometimes, we have to trust what we know, support one another, adapt quickly and give something unfamiliar our best shot.
After a day that began at 4 am and took us from Singapore to Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, new surroundings and new friendships, everyone was more than ready for some well-deserved rest.
After a day that began at 4 am and took us from Singapore to Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, new surroundings and new friendships, everyone was more than ready for some well-deserved rest.
Day 1 reminded us that an overseas learning journey is not only about what appears on the official programme. Learning can happen in an unexpected extra lunch, a conversation with someone new, a trip to an unfamiliar place, or a challenge that arrives sooner than expected.
Day 1 reminded us that an overseas learning journey is not only about what appears on the official programme. Learning can happen in an unexpected extra lunch, a conversation with someone new, a trip to an unfamiliar place, or a challenge that arrives sooner than expected.
Tomorrow, the conference begins in earnest. Some of us may be excited, some may be nervous, and probably many of us are a little of both.
Tomorrow, the conference begins in earnest. Some of us may be excited, some may be nervous, and probably many of us are a little of both.
But that is all part of the experience.
But that is all part of the experience.
Bring on Day 2!
Bring on Day 2!
Our Goals for the Journey...
Our Goals for the Journey...
Before the conference began, our students took a moment to think about what they hoped to learn, experience and achieve during their time at NISC.
Before the conference began, our students took a moment to think about what they hoped to learn, experience and achieve during their time at NISC.
In their own words...
In their own words...
Page updated
Report abuse