Nutto: The Homework of Life and Finding Answers

The greatest challenge for everyone is finding the “answer” to their life. Most answers can’t be found in books—they emerge from experiencing life, meeting people, achieving success, facing failure, overcoming obstacles, and surpassing one’s own limitations. These answers await us on the paths we choose to walk.

Supat Kanchat, known as Nutto, is one of the two selected candiates in Matilda Foundation’s Break Your Boundary (BYB) program in 2023. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Trade at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Nutto is on his journey to find the answers to his own life. This quest began with the belief in his own potential—that he was capable of more than his comfort zone allowed. With courage, he stepped beyond his safe zone, breaking his own boundaries with the support of the Matilda Foundation.

Let get to know Nutto’s story together through this interview. 

Mindful - Knowing Yourself

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Nutto: My name is Nutto. I grew up on the outskirts of Bangkok, in a place where crossing one canal would bring you to Bangkok, and crossing back would take you to Chachoengsao. This “borderline” upbringing made me feel like a true rural child, far removed from urban development at the centres of town. We didn’t have running water or internet, and transportation to school was sparse.

I studied in Chachoengsao until Grade 4, but by Grade 5, it became clear that staying there meant limited opportunities. My father enrolled me in a school in Nong Chok, turning me into a “Bangkok kid” at that time.

I often describe myself as a rural child because, many children growing up in the provinces had more access to cities’ modernity than I did. I, in contrast, could see all the developments but couldn’t reach them because they were too far away.  

Thirsty – Driven by Ambition

How did being a “rural child” shape you?

Nutto: Seeing things but not being able to access them made me ambitious. It felt like resources were out of reach, so I had to be the one chasing after everything.

And since my family came from a rural background with no urban influences, they had no idea how to shape me or guide my development. I felt I had complete freedom to decide my own future. I could choose to be anything, and my parents never objected. This was an advantage compared to others I've heard about, whose parents had strong opinions about what they should become. My parents simply said, “Be whatever you want.”

While this freedom came with risks—lacking the perspective of experienced adults—I felt fortunate. I was able to choose a path that, although not the best, was the one I enjoyed the most. As a result, I went through a lot of trials and errors along the way.

Looking back, I’m grateful for those days when I wandered with no clear directions or anyone telling me what to do. Without those experiences, I wouldn’t have reached the point where I feel satisfied with my life today.

Accountability – Owning your Decisions

What are the pros and cons of having the freedom to make your own decisions?

Nutto: The downside is that, as a child, I lacked a broader perspective. I missed out on certain opportunities because I had no guidance from more experienced adults.

When I made decisions on my own, my world was confined to what I knew. At the time, my entire world revolved around Nong Chok, which already felt vast to me. As a result, I competed only within that small sphere. One thing I deeply regret not valuing sooner is English. In Nong Chok, anyone who spoke English was teased for being different. Had I realised its significance back then, I would have worked harder and become much more proficient. English could have opened doors to far greater opportunities for me, but things didn’t happen that way. Looking back, I can’t help but feel a tinge of regret.

However, while the trial and errors were time-consuming, it gave me unique experiences that set me apart from others.

One experience I want to share is when I was invited to try direct sales with a company. I saw a senior in his early 20s who was very successful. Seeing him made me think, “Wow, I want to succeed, become rich, and support myself already.” I took it seriously, building a network, attending training, and trying everything—even knocking on doors and getting chased by dogs. I rode a motorcycle to demonstrate products. Many people criticised me for not focusing on school, but I’ve never regretted it. It was a unique experience not everyone gets to have.

Why did you want to study abroad?

Nutto: To me, studying abroad seemed “cool.” I had a senior who participated in the AFS exchange program. Before he went, he was one person, but when he returned, he had transformed completely—the confidence, the language he use, and his way of thinking, made him a leader upon coming back to Thailand. I admired him greatly. That inspired me to believe that living abroad could teach me something valuable and turn me into someone “international.”

At that time, opportunities like this were rare, reserved for those with excellent grades, strong English skills, or families wealthy enough to provide financial support. I didn’t have any of those advantages.

I ended up being someone in the gap—someone who was diligent but not the best, resourceful but not wealthy enough. I’ve been in that middle ground throughout my educational years. People in this middle ground may seem like they can “make it,” but they often have fewer opportunities in reality. To be honest, if I hadn’t found myself in this gap, I wouldn’t have connected with the Matilda Foundation.

Can you tell us about studying in Japan?

Nutto: I received a scholarship from the “One District One Scholarship (ODOS)” programme, which provides opportunities for students with good academic performance but financial difficulties. So, at 17 or 18, I went to Japan after finishing high school. It was the perfect alignment of my family’s financial situation, my location, and my level of ambition that allowed me to be someone suitable for this programme. This scholarship changed my life completely—Japan shaped me into a different person.

When you finally got to go abroad, was it like what you had imagined? What were you like when you returned?

Nutto: Japan instilled discipline, humility, and shyness in me. When I returned, I didn’t feel like the kind of leader I had admired in my senior who studied abroad. The Japanese culture, with its reserved and indirect nature, made me more introverted.

Living in Japan had many benefits—I gained life experience, learned the language, and immersed myself in a completely different culture. However, I always felt that Western cultures offer something different, perhaps something more aligned with the leadership qualities I admired.

Inquisitive – Seeking Answers

How did you come across Matilda?

Nutto: At the time, I had been working for several years in a job I liked, with some level of support. Yet, I felt, “Why is my life always the same?” Despite making steady progress in my field, I realised I was deeply entrenched in a safe zone. That realisation brought a fear: “What if one day I leave this safe zone and can’t do anything else?” or “If I stay here, this is all I’ll ever achieve.” It reached a point where I knew that if I didn’t start moving, it would become increasingly difficult to break free, and my future path would only narrow further, even if it seemed good enough on the surface.

From the outside, people thought, “You’re doing well.” But for me, it was a safe zone that didn’t reflect my true self. Instead it made me question, “Is this really all I’m capable of?” I didn’t want to believe that this was my limit. That’s when I began exploring opportunities to study abroad. Even though I didn’t have the funds to go at the time, just applying opened up a vision of myself studying abroad. It motivated me to step out of my safe zone.

However, reality hit hard. Even after being accepted into a programme and passing the IELTS, I still had no funds or financial support to go abroad. I kept searching for scholarships, and when I found Matilda, I applied without hesitation.

The founder of Matilda once asked me a question and told me to answer once I finish my studies. The question was “What do you truly want?”, and I’m still searching for that answer. While I may not have it yet, I’m doing everything I can to put myself in a position to discover it. Studying abroad has opened my perspective to things I had never seen before. It’s shown me the possibilities of what I could achieve, and my path ahead no longer feels narrow.

Altruistic - Giving Back to Society

Nutto: Preparing to compete for the Matilda’s BYB student loan led me to engage with many people and discuss education, opportunities, and the challenges faced by people like us who don’t have easy access to resources. It was during this preparation that I truly understood why Matilda exists.

I feel we could organise panel discussions to exchange ideas about education and opportunities, particularly for those in the middle ground. I love that Matilda’s program encourages people like me to talk about these topics, inspire motivation, and invite others to break their own boundaries.

I feel great when people ask me about applying for the BYB programme. I don’t give them step-by-step instructions. Instead, I ask them what they want, what their limitations are, and encourage them to reflect on themselves. 

“Because I’m also excited to find my own answers.”

One undeniable truth is that everyone has desires in life, but differing levels of readiness mean not everyone can achieve them.

Matilda believes that even if you don’t yet know exactly what you want, the best thing you can do is put yourself in a position where you can be ready for it. That way, when opportunities and answers come your way, they’ll be within your reach.

Nutto’s journey to pursue a Master’s degree in the U.S. through Matilda’s Break Your Boundary programme is a significant step in positioning himself for such greater readiness. It’s a step toward finding the answers to his life’s questions.

Matilda is equally excited to hear Nutto’s answers when the time comes.

Nutto and his mother