An Oxford graduate who was one of the first ever students at an international school near Pattaya has returned to her old classroom.
Lauren Dingsdale was one of the first students to study at Garden International School (GIS) in 1994. GIS is based in Ban Chang, near Pattaya.
As the school prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Lauren came back for a look around. She was photographed in the Pattaya Mail as the first student to walk through the school gates when GIS opened.
Lauren with IB Coordinator Mr Beales and budding lawyer Berenice.
Lauren is now a successful lawyer for a major law firm in the UK. When she returned to GIS, several students who are interested in becoming lawyers were able to interview her and ask for advice on how to enter the legal profession.
After leaving GIS, Lauren was granted a scholarship to go to a private Sixth Form College and completed her A levels in English Literature, Mathematics, Economics and Government and Politics. Lauren then attended Oxford University and, after that, law school.
Today, Lauren lives back in England, as a corporate lawyer. She said: “We specialize in competition law. I really like my job, I’m very happy there and I’m very lucky – it worked out very well. My company works for Google, Royal Mail and the UK government.”
Lauren said she decided she wanted to become a lawyer after watching a film. She explained: “The movie Legally Blonde inspired me! I also watch Law and Order and Silk but Boston Legal was my favourite.”
Today, GIS is the largest international school in Rayong, but back in 1994, things were relatively small. Lauren remembered: “There were about 12 students in my class, but Year 7 had about three students. I had some English friends here and the other students were mainly Thai and Japanese. I enjoyed my time here.
“I remember at GIS we had a Bluebirds’ Club, which was like the Guides or Scouts and I remember sitting around the circle that’s in Primary taking an oath. We also did a school play based on Star Trek. At the time there were the original Star Trek and Batman series on TV for two hours a day so all the children watched it.
“I played Scotty’s assistant in our play. We made the scenery ourselves, we spray-painted cups to make them look like buttons.”
Do you have any memories or photos of studying or working at GIS? If so, email them to [email protected].
Oxford graduate Lauren Dingsdale – one of the first ever students at Garden International School!
