Name: Fredrik Abrahamsson
Age: 28
Nationality: Swedish
Courses: Intensive - Intermediate Level 1 to Proficient Level 3, (9 months)
Age: 28
Nationality: Swedish
Courses: Intensive - Intermediate Level 1 to Proficient Level 3, (9 months)
>> Why do you want to learn Thai?
My main reason for learning Thai is that I would like to ordain as a monk in Thailand. I then need to understand the Thai language so I can focus on the monastery life.
Another reason is that it's easy to like the Thai language, it has a kind of charm about it and it's very different from the other languages that I know. For example the written form of Thai looks very
beautiful.
>> Why do you want to become a monk?
When I was a teenager I started to question life and the society I was living in. It felt like there was something missing. One day in my early twenties I got the impulse to read a book about Buddha. It was
so inspiring that I continued to read all the books I could find about Buddhism and contacted a Buddhist society in my country. I listened to talks by Thai monks and their lifestyle appealed to me so I decided to
go to Thailand to experience it for myself. I stayed at a forest monastery for a month and I knew that this was the life I wanted.
Since then I have visited Thailand many times in order to learn the language and prepare for a life as a monk. The Thai language course at Lanta International Language School is my last year of preparation
before I give away everything I own and move to the monastery.
>> How is your present lifestyle? Will your life change a lot when you move to the monastery?
I have gradually simplified my lifestyle over the years. I realized that I don't need a TV so I gave it away to my sister. I sold my bed and slept on the floor so I could make my bedroom into a meditation room, and I eat just twice a day like Thai Buddhist monks do. It saves a lot of time and I feel much better.
>> Did you know any Thai before you started your studies at Lanta International Language School?
Yes, I had studied on my own and spent quite a lot of time in monasteries and other places in Thailand where English is not spoken. Back then I had to listen a lot, pick up as many words as I could and
was forced to use the vocabulary that I knew. When I started my studies at the school I could join the Intermediate Course but I had to work hard on my reading and writing as those skills were lagging.
>> How would you describe your Thai language skills today?
Now I can understand almost everything I hear and I can talk about pretty much anything I want. But there is always room for improvement!
>> How would you describe the courses?
I have been impressed with the speed of learning. It's amazing to realize how much I have learnt in such a limited time. Listening comprehension and speaking as well as reading and writing. The courses
are put together in a way that makes you like going to school, so it will be sad to finish. I have started to like the student life on Lanta a lot. Actually it's the first time in my life that I've really enjoyed being a student.
The teachers and staff at the school have contributed a lot to the fantastic atmosphere that makes it enjoyable to study. The lessons are interesting and entertaining so it's easy to keep your motivation high.
>> What do you think about Koh Lanta?
I think it's an optimal location for studies. It's quiet and relaxed but still a lot of things to do in your free time. I would prefer a little less tourists but I will get plenty of that in the monastery.
>> What would you like to say to people who are thinking of applying to a course at Lanta International Language School?
Apply! Come here and try it!
My main reason for learning Thai is that I would like to ordain as a monk in Thailand. I then need to understand the Thai language so I can focus on the monastery life.
Another reason is that it's easy to like the Thai language, it has a kind of charm about it and it's very different from the other languages that I know. For example the written form of Thai looks very
beautiful.
>> Why do you want to become a monk?
When I was a teenager I started to question life and the society I was living in. It felt like there was something missing. One day in my early twenties I got the impulse to read a book about Buddha. It was
so inspiring that I continued to read all the books I could find about Buddhism and contacted a Buddhist society in my country. I listened to talks by Thai monks and their lifestyle appealed to me so I decided to
go to Thailand to experience it for myself. I stayed at a forest monastery for a month and I knew that this was the life I wanted.
Since then I have visited Thailand many times in order to learn the language and prepare for a life as a monk. The Thai language course at Lanta International Language School is my last year of preparation
before I give away everything I own and move to the monastery.
>> How is your present lifestyle? Will your life change a lot when you move to the monastery?
I have gradually simplified my lifestyle over the years. I realized that I don't need a TV so I gave it away to my sister. I sold my bed and slept on the floor so I could make my bedroom into a meditation room, and I eat just twice a day like Thai Buddhist monks do. It saves a lot of time and I feel much better.
>> Did you know any Thai before you started your studies at Lanta International Language School?
Yes, I had studied on my own and spent quite a lot of time in monasteries and other places in Thailand where English is not spoken. Back then I had to listen a lot, pick up as many words as I could and
was forced to use the vocabulary that I knew. When I started my studies at the school I could join the Intermediate Course but I had to work hard on my reading and writing as those skills were lagging.
>> How would you describe your Thai language skills today?
Now I can understand almost everything I hear and I can talk about pretty much anything I want. But there is always room for improvement!
>> How would you describe the courses?
I have been impressed with the speed of learning. It's amazing to realize how much I have learnt in such a limited time. Listening comprehension and speaking as well as reading and writing. The courses
are put together in a way that makes you like going to school, so it will be sad to finish. I have started to like the student life on Lanta a lot. Actually it's the first time in my life that I've really enjoyed being a student.
The teachers and staff at the school have contributed a lot to the fantastic atmosphere that makes it enjoyable to study. The lessons are interesting and entertaining so it's easy to keep your motivation high.
>> What do you think about Koh Lanta?
I think it's an optimal location for studies. It's quiet and relaxed but still a lot of things to do in your free time. I would prefer a little less tourists but I will get plenty of that in the monastery.
>> What would you like to say to people who are thinking of applying to a course at Lanta International Language School?
Apply! Come here and try it!
Fredrik has improved his Thai reading skills a lot. He has already read two Harry Potter books is presently reading The Lord of The Rings.
Fredrik in action during the LILS Beach Volleyball Tournament 2012.
Karaoke singing in Thai together with other students and teachers, at Kao Yai restaurant.
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