December 3rd, 2025
Ms. Nuttarika Phrmkoed, a first-year medical student at Walailak University, was selected to participate in the ODOS Summer Camp 2025, an important milestone that opened the door to a new world of digital technology, innovation, and international learning. The program took place at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, from 4 October to 15 November 2025.
This six-week experience broadened her perspectives academically and personally. She shared her inspiring journey, reflecting on intellectual growth and life in the UK, which was unlike anything she had experienced before.
A Peaceful Environment That Inspires Learning
Upon arrival at the University of Surrey, Ms. Nuttarika felt an immediate sense of safety, tranquility, and academic enrichment. The university is filled with state-of-the-art facilities, modern innovations, and architectural beauty that blends seamlessly with student life. She was particularly impressed by the university’s strengths in Business and Technology, which offered her new learning dimensions she had never encountered before.
Active Learning at Its Best
The program was not limited to lectures. It emphasized hands-on activities, analytical thinking, and collaboration with peers from diverse cultures.
“During the six weeks, we explored essential themes of the modern world, including FinTech, Blockchain, Coding, and Entrepreneurship through active learning, complemented by lectures from world-class experts. One highlight was the field trip to leading global companies such as Google and Amazon,” she shared. These experiences allowed her to truly understand how technology drives the world’s top organizations.
She reflected, “Daring to step out into the world, meeting new people, societies, and places, is essential for growth. This opportunity improved my language and digital skills, helped me adapt to a new environment, and ultimately served as a ‘guiding light’ that clarified my life goals and motivated me to continue improving myself.”
From Technology to Medical Inspiration
A particularly transformative moment for her was discovering the potential of Blockchain technology in clinical research, especially its application in Clinical Trials, where transparency and traceability are crucial. She also recognized the future role of Blockchain in Telemedicine and Digital Health.
Moreover, she gained a deep appreciation for the importance of Data Literacy, a necessary skill for medical students to analyze patient data, interpret research, and link these insights to coursework such as Biostatistics.
Life Abroad: Lessons from Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
Living abroad for the first time was a challenge, yet she embraced it as an opportunity to grow. She learned to adapt, face uncertainties, and build friendships with peers from around the world. This journey helped her “grow both as a medical student and as a human being who understands the world more deeply.”
Inspired by Oxford and Cambridge
Another highlight of the program was visiting world-renowned institutions, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. These visits strengthened her ambitions for future studies and inspired her to contribute to Thailand’s medical innovation on an international scale.
A Life Lesson Beyond the Classroom
The ODOS Summer Camp 2025 was more than a short-term academic program, it was a powerful life lesson that shaped Ms. Nattarika into a visionary medical student equipped with global perspectives, technological insight, and a commitment to becoming a competent, innovative, and internationally minded physician.
