Thames Foreign Degree and Beyond: Lui Mawis
by: Nico Belasco, Thames Undergraduate Student
Lui Mawis, a freelance scriptwriter under Siri Media Productions, started his journey as a Communications student at Thames International. His passion and drive for the arts played a major role in his decision to take the leap to Singapore and earn his degree from Teesside University under the Management Development Institute of Singapore, which was made possible by the Thames Foreign Degree program.
After making the most of his time studying in the Philippines at Thames, leading the official student organization for the arts, the Thames Communicators, and leaving a lasting impression on his professors, he set off to broaden his horizons in Singapore.
“I saw the opportunity for me to study abroad as a way of expanding myself and separating my experience from everyone else. This would help me stand out from everyone else when I would eventually graduate,” he said. Without a doubt, his time overseas contributed to the success that he takes part in today.
As a Communications student, Lui started out as a photographer capturing moments and people in full force. At events and gatherings, you could almost always find him behind the lenses of his camera, snapping away at anything that caught his eye. His work is distinguished by its attention to detail and the personal touch that Lui leaves on the photos he takes. At Thames, he was able to expand his skills as a creative beyond photography, with the help of his professors who were industry professionals and masters of their craft.
“Thames continually pushed me to go outside my comfort zone when it came to my skills. As a communications student, I had to develop the skills outside of just being a photographer. This meant knowing what the process was in a production and being able to be competent in each step,” he says.
In Singapore he made strides in his skills, and was able to showcase his talent in various school projects, one of which was a production he put together.
“Having my first production abroad was memorable for me. It humbled me mostly because it helped me realize what I was strong in terms of production. Part of the experience also meant talking to a non English speaking person, which helped me understand the need to have a rounded team. It made me realize that I would always have room for improvement, and that opening myself up to lessons from others would help me in terms of evolving my skill,” he shared. Lui went on to note that his experience studying abroad helped broaden his understanding and work ethic. Through his studies and projects, he learned how important it is to maintain good relationships with everyone.
Despite the success that came from his experience in Singapore, he believes he owes a lot of his accomplishments to Thames International.
“Thames helped me shape my mindset towards bettering myself. Being exposed to the programs and lecturers helped me be more confident in myself and my abilities,” mentioned Lui.
When asked what advice he would give to students who are thinking of following in his footsteps and applying for the Thames Foreign Degree program, he shared, “Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. It’s only through pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones that we begin to truly grow as students. That leap is what could make you stand out from everyone and achieve at the same time.”
Lui continues to be an inspiration to the Thames Community, both alumni and current students, for his courage to take the leap to Singapore and his success after finishing his college education in 2018. He is proof that with the right mindset and proper guidance- such as the Thames Foreign Degree program – anything is possible.
If you are interested in elevating your education and broadening your horizons, visit https://thames.edu.ph/twinning-program/ to learn more about our partner schools and how we can help you make your dreams of studying in Singapore, Australia, or the UK a reality.
