Standing at a patient’s bedside at Palmerston North Hospital, junior doctor Patchara Jirapanyayut (Clark 2014–2018) is calm, focused, and determined. Pat is pursuing his long-held ambition to make a real difference in people’s lives through medicine. 

After St Paul’s, Pat studied medicine at Otago, trained in Wellington, and returned to Palmerston North for his intern year. “Right now, my main goal is to specialise in eye health by specialising in ophthalmology,” says Pat.

“Medicine felt like the right mix of science, problem-solving, and connection. It’s not always glamorous, and there have been tough days, but knowing I can help someone on what might be the worst day of their life gives me a lot of motivation,” he explains.

The path hasn’t always been smooth. Long hours, high responsibility, and moments of self-doubt have tested him. “There’s a lot to learn, and sometimes it’s overwhelming,” he admits. “But trusting my training, asking for help, and leaning on my team have made all the difference.”

Support has been a constant theme in his journey - from teachers and mentors to the international team at St Paul’s. “Ms Richardson, Ms Elliott, and Ms Benefield were always there for us,” he says. “They were incredibly supportive and made a huge difference for international students like me.” He also fondly remembers his late St Paul’s piano teacher, Ms Komaki, as someone who helped him believe in his own potential. “She helped me believe I could achieve anything if I set my mind to it.” His squash coach, Wabbit, also left a lasting impression - introducing him to a sport he still enjoys today.

“The main reason my parents and I chose St Paul’s was the Tihoi programme,” he says. “It was a unique and challenging six-month outdoor experience - completely different from anything offered in Thailand. “As a boarder, my house quickly became my second home. It took a little while to find my place and settle in. But once I did, I formed friendships that have lasted to this day,” he reflects.

Now, on the other side of his school journey, Pat has advice for other students considering a similar path. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” he says. “Stay curious, work hard, and make time to enjoy life outside of study and work.”

Looking ahead, Pat says, ”The medical field is evolving rapidly, especially with new technologies like artificial intelligence starting to play a bigger role. While this makes the future feel a bit uncertain, I think it also opens up a lot of exciting possibilities for improving patient care.”