There are some moments in student life that completely change the way you look at yourself and your future. For me, one of those moments started inside my college auditorium during my 4th semester of BTech.
At that time, I never imagined that a simple briefing session would eventually become the beginning of my international journey toward AIT Bangkok, Thailand.
This blog is not just about a selection process.
It is about confusion, self-doubt, pressure, hard work, summer heat, semester exams, opportunities, and finally saying “YES” to something bigger than myself.
My name is Gautam Kumar Maurya, and this is the beginning of my AIT Bangkok journey.
The Day Everything Started
During our 4th semester, our college organized an official briefing session in the auditorium regarding a summer training and international exposure program at AIT Bangkok (Asian Institute of Technology), Thailand.
The faculty members explained everything in detail:
- Eligibility criteria
- Selection process
- Benefits of the program
- Deadlines
- Duration of stay in Thailand
- Fees and scholarship categories
- Documentation process
- Overall experience students would get at AIT Bangkok
At first, I was just listening casually.
I was not fully sure whether I even wanted to go.
But somewhere inside me, curiosity had already started growing.
Understanding the AIT Bangkok Package Categories
One important thing explained during the briefing was the package structure provided by the college.
There were mainly 3 categories:
- ₹15,000 Package
- ₹35,000 Package
- ₹55,000 Package
The category assigned to students depended on their:
- Academic performance
- Overall profile
- Evaluation performance
- Selection process scores
Naturally, every student wanted a better category.
For me, things were different.
I had already decided one thing in my mind:
“If I get the ₹15K package, I will go. Otherwise, maybe not.”
At that time, I was still confused about whether I should really take such a big step or not.
Applying at the Last Moment
After the briefing session, the college released a Google Form for registration.
Honestly, I filled that form at the very last moment.
I kept thinking:
- Should I go?
- Should I avoid it?
- Is it worth it?
- Will I manage everything?
But finally, I applied.
The form was detailed and serious. It asked for:
- 10th marks
- 12th marks
- JEE details
- Academic records
- Personal details
- Reasons for joining AIT Bangkok
- Career goals
- Motivation and objectives
It felt less like a normal form and more like the first step toward something important.
The Evaluation Test at DLC
After evaluating the forms, the college shortlisted students for a test.
The test was conducted in DLC (Digital Learning Centre).
I still remember the atmosphere there.
Some students were using phones and unfair methods during the test. But I decided one thing clearly:
“If I qualify, I want to qualify honestly.”
The paper was not extremely difficult. It included:
- Reasoning questions
- Mathematics
- General Knowledge
- Verbal Ability
I gave the exam seriously.
When the results came, I scored around 91%.
Some students scored even higher, around 99%, but still, I was among the top-performing students in that evaluation.
At that moment, I started feeling that maybe this opportunity was actually possible for me.
The Interview Call During Semester Exams
After the test, selected students received calls and emails for the next round — the physical interview.
The interview was scheduled at UCER (United College of Engineering and Research), not at UIT.
And the timing?
My semester exams were already going on.
One day before the interview, I had my semester paper.
My mind was already exhausted with studies, pressure, travel, and exam stress.
Still, I decided to go.
Not because I was fully confident.
But because I wanted to know one thing:
“Will I actually get selected for the ₹15K category or not?”
Travelling in Extreme Heat for the Interview
I travelled from Prayagraj to Naini during peak summer heat.
The temperature was around 45+ degree Celsius.
It was chaotic, exhausting, and honestly very difficult because exams were happening simultaneously.
But sometimes opportunities do not come at comfortable timings.
Sometimes you have to choose discomfort first.
Some of my friends also came for the interview process.
Everyone was nervous.
Outside the interview room, students were discussing categories and expectations continuously.
Many students coming out of interviews were saying:
“They offered me ₹55K.”
Hearing that repeatedly made me think:
- “Maybe I will also get only ₹15K.”
- “Should I even continue if that happens?”
But I still waited for my turn.
My AIT Bangkok Interview Experience
Finally, my interview started.
Faculty members including Divya Bharti Ma’am, Ravi Prasad Tiwari Sir, and Santosh Sir were present there.
They asked many questions:
- Why do you want to go to AIT?
- What do you know about AIT Bangkok?
- What motivates you?
- What is your objective?
- How will this help your future?
- How will you handle difficult situations abroad?
- What if someone gets injured there?
- Questions about academics and personality
It was not just an academic interview.
They were trying to understand mindset, responsibility, and confidence.
I answered honestly.
I did not try to act overconfident.
I simply spoke about what I genuinely felt.
And then came the moment I still remember clearly.
They said:
“Gautam, congratulations. You are getting the ₹15K category. Are you willing to go?”
And without overthinking this time, I replied:
“Yes sir, I will go.”
That was the moment where my journey truly started.
The Cheque Issue and More Struggles
After selection, the college gave us official documents and asked us to submit a cheque/DD in the university’s name.
Now this became another challenge.
At that time:
- My semester exams were still ongoing
- I did not have a cheque system available
- Time was very limited
Thankfully, my friend Aniket helped me during this process.
I gave him the required amount, and he helped arrange the cheque/DD process.
Again, during extreme heat and exam pressure, I travelled to college for document verification and submission.
Honestly, balancing:
- semester exams,
- documentation,
- travel,
- interviews,
- and international preparation
was mentally exhausting.
But this process taught me something important:
Big opportunities also bring responsibility and pressure together.
Waiting for the Final Journey
After document submission, I asked the faculty:
“Sir, when will we finally go to Bangkok?”
They replied that the schedule could vary between July, August, or September depending on arrangements and confirmations.
And that was it.
Now the waiting phase had started.
But another important journey was still remaining:
My passport journey.
Because until this point, I had never applied for a passport before.
And trust me, that journey became another completely different experience filled with confusion, learning, travelling, verification, and first-time experiences.
What’s Next?
This blog is only Part 1 of my AIT Bangkok journey.
In the next blog, I will share:
- How I applied for my passport
- My first passport office experience
- Problems during application
- Managing everything during semesters
- Documentation process
- Police verification
- Real student struggles during passport processing
And finally, how I received my passport today.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes life changes because of one small decision.
For me, that decision was filling a Google Form at the last moment.
From sitting confused in an auditorium to getting selected for an international opportunity at AIT Bangkok, this journey already taught me:
- honesty matters,
- opportunities require courage,
- and growth starts when comfort ends.
This is only the beginning.
— Gautam Kumar Maurya
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