By: Aditya Yeshwant Gaundalkar
Aditya Gaundalkar, a Master’s graduate in Business Administration from the School of Management, shares his journey at AIT.
Two years ago, I was working a full-time job in India, following the routine most of us know well – wake up, work, and repeat. It was during one of those ordinary days that I heard about the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). What caught my attention was that the former CEO of my company was an AIT alumnus. That piqued my curiosity. I thought to myself, if this place shaped someone to lead at that level, maybe it could do the same for me.
I looked it up, liked what I saw, and applied.
Landing in Thailand: A New Chapter
Arriving at AIT from India felt like stepping into a different world – quiet, green, diverse, and full of energy. I was a little anxious at first, not knowing what to expect. But soon, the campus became home. The academic side of AIT School of Management was intense but rewarding. Courses like Strategic Management, Business Transformation, Marketing, Finance, and Leadership weren’t just theoretical, they were practical and aligned with real challenges in today’s business world. The professors pushed us, the assignments challenged us, and the discussions opened our minds.
The Real Transformation Outside the Classroom
But the biggest transformation didn’t happen inside classrooms, it happened outside of them. Back in India, I wasn’t the person who would ever speak on a stage or lead a team. I was quiet, hesitant, and mostly stayed in the background. But AIT offered something rare – an international environment where no one knew your past and no one judged you. That freedom gave me the courage to try everything.
I started getting involved. A few months later, I found myself elected as the President of the Student Union in my first year. That experience changed everything. Every evening in our meetings, I found myself using things we’d learned in class earlier that day – conflict resolution, negotiation, time management, leadership. It was like living an MBA simulation in real life.
And when my term ended, I wasn’t ready to stop. I went on to become the General Secretary of the AIT Indian Association, General Secretary of the School of Management (SOM) Student Ambassadors, and eventually the Vice Chair of the SOM Student Ambassadors. Each of these roles helped me grow into a version of myself I had never imagined – confident, collaborative, and comfortable being at the front of the room.
From Student to Professional
Being in such a diverse and collaborative environment helped me discover the power of connection. I learned how to lead teams, manage cultural differences, build networks, and create value beyond just getting things done.
As I stepped outside campus, these experiences translated into real opportunities. I became a Teaching Assistant at Chulalongkorn University and Siam University. I even worked as a Business Transformation Consultant for Fuku Matcha – ironically, despite not liking matcha tea all that much!
Before graduation, I landed a position as Senior Associate for Academics and Business Development at Global Academy, Siam University, for which I’m incredibly grateful. And none of it would have happened without the support of the amazing people at SOM, especially Mr. Dennes Bergado Jr., who has been my guide, mentor, and a friend through it all.
What AIT Gave Me
AIT gave me more than a degree – it gave me a new identity. It gave me the space to explore who I could be, not just who I was. It gave me opportunities, confidence, and the courage to try – even if I failed. It gave me lifelong friends and an unforgettable journey.
If I could go back two years, I would make the same choice all over again. AIT didn’t just teach me business – it taught me how to lead, how to grow, and how to thrive.
And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
