From Stress to Self-Direction: An Alumni’s Journey at KSI Academy (a micro school in Chiang Mai)

When School Becomes Too Much

For many students, school starts out as a place of friendship and discovery, only to become overwhelming as the years pile on. That was the case for one of our alumni, Kabir Pawa (17M), who began his journey in mainstream classrooms filled with peers his age. At first, the routine was fine — structured lessons, plenty of friends, a sense of belonging. But over time, the weight of exams, rigid schedules, and academic stress grew heavier.

“I had a few friends, and that part was good. But the studying got hard and stressful. After a while, it was just too much,” he recalls.

This is the story of how that stress turned into self-direction, how a micro school experiment became the foundation for a different kind of learning, and how persistence carried him from traditional classrooms to early graduation, and even into a professional kitchen.

Early School Days: The Struggle with Structure

Like many children, his first years in education were defined by the mainstream system. For three years, he attended a well-known Chiang Mai school, where the daily grind revolved around assignments, exams, and carefully monitored timetables.

“Overall it was good for a few years,” he explains, “but after a while it got too structured for me.”

At age nine, he shifted into a Montessori environment — a place where mixed ages learned together and students had more freedom. It was a step in the right direction, but by the time he was eleven, the curriculum’s materials no longer stretched to his level. When it's underchallenging, learning stalled, and the spark was fading.

That was the moment his family decided on something bold. If existing schools couldn’t provide the flexibility he needed, they would create one that could. That leap of faith became KSI Academy, a micro school in Chiang Mai.

Discovering KSI: A Micro School in Chiang Mai, Alternative Education

Starting at KSI didn’t feel like entering an unknown world. “At Montessori, I was already used to mixed ages, so the environment felt normal to me,” he says. But while the setting felt familiar, the learning approach was refreshingly different.

Instead of rigid timetables, KSI offered flexibility. Instead of homework and exams, there was trust in self-direction.

“The main difference between KSI and my old school was the self-directed aspect — learning at your own pace, having a flexible schedule, even suggesting changes. And no homework or exams. That’s a big difference.”

The transition wasn’t without its small challenges. Adjusting to new digital tools like IXL took time, and the small student community initially felt unfamiliar. But before long, the benefits outweighed the discomfort. “After a while, I got used to it. Then it was pretty smooth from there.”

Life at KSI: What Self-Directed Learning Really Looks Like

A day at KSI began not with tests or roll call, but with mindfulness and a morning walk in the park. “It always started with mindfulness, then a 15-minute walk. After that, study started. Wednesdays might be mindfulness, music, lunch, then art in the afternoon.”

For him, this structure — or rather, freedom within structure — made learning lighter and more meaningful. Projects weren’t about filling out worksheets; they were about exploring passions. One week, he dove into statistics and tactics through Football Manager 24. Another time, he studied engineering concepts. Art remained a steady favorite.

Most importantly, the coaching and mentoring model replaced traditional “checking up” with genuine trust.

“Self-directed learning helped me a lot because I like learning at my own pace without stress. Once you get to a certain age, they trust that you’re working. That freedom helped me learn better.”

The lessons stretched beyond the classroom walls. Field trips turned into vivid memories — like the immersive space dome movie that left him in awe. And community moments, like graduating to a round of applause from peers and mentors, reinforced his growth.

Achievements: Graduating with a GED at 17

Perhaps the most tangible milestone of his KSI years came when he earned his GED at just 17.

“My main motivation was wanting to graduate before 18. Also, GED is accepted in many universities around the world — that was nice.”

It wasn’t easy. English essays and American history in Social Studies proved the toughest hurdles. “I’m not that good with essays, and I knew nothing about American history,” he admits. But with self-directed study habits and IXL’s GED skill plan, he pushed through.

Finishing the GED shifted something deeper than academics. “It made me feel proud and accomplished — that if I actually put my mind and study hard for something, I can do it. Before tests were a mental block for me, but now I have confidence for any test in the future.”

Beyond School: From Classroom to Kitchen

Graduation opened new doors. While many peers considered traditional university paths, he stumbled upon something different at a university fair — a short course at Le Cordon Bleu, one of the most renowned culinary schools in the world.

“At first nothing at the fair caught our eye — just regular universities. Then my mom noticed the cooking course. It was short, out of the box, and the best cooking school out there. I liked it, so I decided to try.”

The leap into professional kitchens wasn’t smooth sailing. “It felt weird and different at first, as I’d never stepped into a kitchen in my life. The intensity and long hours were too much at the beginning, but I got used to it.”

What made the difference was not prior cooking experience but the habits learned at KSI: focus, self-direction, perseverance. “KSI’s approach gave me the mindset to complete the course successfully.”

His proudest dishes? A beetroot steak that earned top marks and served as his final exam piece, and delicate macarons that tested his patience but paid off.

Lessons That Last: Persistence, Curiosity, and Freedom

Looking back, the biggest takeaway wasn’t a grade or certificate but a mindset.

“The biggest lesson I learned at KSI is don’t give up on anything. If you stay resilient, anything is possible.”

He even describes his KSI journey as a recipe: Self-direction. Curiosity. Persistence.

Or in three words? “An interesting journey.”

These aren’t just reflections for alumni; they’re universal truths for learners everywhere. When students are trusted, guided, and allowed freedom, they develop the resilience to tackle challenges far beyond the classroom.

Looking Ahead: Engineering Dreams

While culinary arts proved an exciting chapter, his future vision is even broader. Next year, he plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Chiang Mai University. In the meantime, he’s filling his time with courses — and a bit of cooking on the side.

Persistence remains the throughline. “Thanks to KSI, I feel anything is possible with persistence. Before, exams scared me. Now, I know I can do it.”

One Story, Many Paths

From mainstream classrooms to Montessori, from KSI Academy to Le Cordon Bleu, from football statistics to engineering aspirations, this student’s journey is proof of what happens when education trusts the learner.

His story is unique, but the themes are not. Stress giving way to curiosity. Structure replaced by self-direction. Anxiety turning into confidence.

And it all began with a shift.

If you’re wondering whether a small, self-directed learning environment could make the same difference for your child, we invite you to explore a micro school in Chiang Mai, KSI Academy. Visit us and see how freedom, trust, and persistence shape not just academics, but life.

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