Destiny Bunprakong

PGCE student Destiny is passionate about working with children and making learning fun. Read on to find out about Destiny's experiences at university and on placement.

Why did you choose to study your course – what or who inspired you?

I already did my undergraduate studies in education, and this felt like the right way to hone my skills. A Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) would allow me to gain Qualified Teacher Status and spend the bulk of my year on placement at various local schools. Generally, I’m inspired to be a teacher because I love working with children and making learning fun!

Why did you choose the University of Cumbria over other universities?

The real deciding factor was the opportunity to specialise in Experiential and Environmental Learning. When I heard about the Morecambe Bay curriculum, it really appealed to me as an opportunity to see place-based education in action. When I accepted the offer, I knew I had made the right choice. Prior to my arrival in England, I joined tailored webinars for my course and had the opportunity to meet our programme leader Adrian. They also had webinars to clarify details about the visa process and academic skills for postgraduate study. The student support is incredibly visible here.

How have you found your placement(s)? Where was your placement, and what was it like?

I just completed my first placement at a school in Morecambe. There, I had the opportunity to teach across a lovely cohort of year 6s and work with a great team. It was amazing to be supported by their class teachers, my in-school mentor and by a university-based tutor. We were made to feel like a part of the school right away and even took some kids on their first train ride when we went to see a movie in Lancaster! All my course mates and I agree that placement is the heart of the programme where you truly see what it’s like to be a teacher. Inspired by my specialism, I even got to lead some forest school activities in the school’s wooded area! It was amazing to see children who don’t usually stand out inside the classroom shine in front of their peers.

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

I think the most challenging aspect has been adjusting to placement, as much as I did love it. Even though I’ve taught in schools before, it took some time to get used to how things work in British schools and prepare for the wide range of things I have to teach as a part of the National Curriculum. I’ve been fortunate to be on placement with a friend from the course, and having someone by my side who understands what I’m going through means a lot. Additionally, I had a really supportive mentor who was encouraging and gave me lots of opportunities to try new things and make mistakes. I was also fortunate to connect with other friends throughout the placement on weekends and share our experiences. I really recommend staying in touch!

How have your tutors supported you during your studies?

My course feels very tight knit, partially because of how small we are but also because our tutors really get to know us. Our tutors Chris and Gail are always available, and really try to sort things out for us when it comes to placements. Upon hearing about my British culture shock, Chris secured me a book on British landmarks and landscapes from the charity shop to help me explore the country.

How is university life beyond your studies?

First of all, I quite enjoy living on campus, especially since I’m only here for the year. It’s great to be able to walk up to a friend’s flat for impromptu karaoke night, run into each other at the campus gym and generally just feel like a part of the community.

Lancaster is a student city, and I’ve found that there’s always something going on. Just this weekend, there was a dragon parade for Chinese New Years. The cultural scene is really vibrant with annual festivals like Light Up Lancaster and the Lancaster Music Festival. My favourite hideaway when I’m strolling through town is the city library. It’s such a community hub, with a solid book selection and a chess club on Saturdays. Of course, my friends and I enjoy Lancaster’s safe nightlife and walks in the Lake District (not on the same day usually).

What would be your top tips for people thinking of doing the same course as you?

If you’re thinking of going into education, my top piece of advice is to get into a school! Even though we all went through primary school ourselves, I find it’s definitely different being there as a responsible adult and it really gives you a taste of the day-to-day realities. The UK government also has teacher training advisers you can sign up for - for free - who talk you through everything. You just sign up and they can tell you about teaching but also help with the process of applying and will read through your personal statement, too!

What advice or guidance do you have for people thinking about applying for university?

First of all, use the resources! I had an adviser from Get Into Teaching myself, and she was really supportive and helped with a lot of my worries. There are also PGCE Facebook groups where people post interview advice. Of course, get to an open day if you can and see the campus for yourself. We’ve got some great teaching resource rooms here in Lancaster!

What are your plans for the future, and how is your course preparing you for your potential career?

This fall, I’ll have left England to teach at an international school abroad. Even though I don’t plan on staying in England, my course has already given loads of practical advice. We’ve had speakers come in from agencies, and head teachers from schools will be coming in to give interview tips. Our tutors write professional references for us, while inspiring us with practice I’d want to take into my own classroom.

What’s been the highlight of your time at university so far?

It’s tough to choose. It’s a toss-up between camaraderie I share with my friends and course mates, versus the stunning hikes I’ve been on with them. First of all, the Lake District is seriously breathtaking, even in the autumn and winter. A friend and I have made it our mission to hike as many Wainwright’s as we can before summer.

At the same time, class is rarely a chore because the way lecturers design tasks gives us the chance to genuinely interact and learn from each other, and my course mates are just fun people to be around. Each of them has their own talents they bring to teaching and it’s a really nice atmosphere.

Is there anything else that you’d like to add? 

Homesickness is real, and when it comes to university there will be things that you have to go through to get through. However, you will also meet amazing people if you put yourself out there. It doesn’t have to be at parties, because the great thing about uni is that you’ll meet so many people that eventually someone will be the same kind of weird as you. I genuinely did not expect to have the close friendships I have now - and it’s only been 5 months! Imagine how much could happen in 3 years.