AMCHAM Thailand Foundation Scholarship Alumna: Niaswanee “Farny” Kortornillo

Meet Niaswanee “Farny” Kortornilo, a dedicated gender and peace advocate passionate about connecting with diverse communities through food. Now a Chevening Scholar, she is pursuing a Master’s in Gender, Violence, and Conflict at the University of Sussex. Farny’s journey is fueled by a deep commitment to social change and inclusivity. Discover how the AMCHAM Scholarship has empowered her path.

My name is Niaswanee Kortornilo (Farny), and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Gender, Violence, and Conflict at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom as a Chevening Scholarship recipient.

I come from Thailand’s deep south, a region known for its armed conflict, where the majority of people are Muslim and speak the local Malay language.  As the second child but the first to complete high school and earn a bachelor’s degree, I have experienced both privilege and challenges within my community. With government financial support, I was able to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English at Thaksin University in Songkhla, with the intention of gaining access to international development.
During my third year of university, one of my professors encouraged me to apply for the AMCHAM scholarship, which could expand my opportunities beyond extracurricular programs at my university. I was honored to be selected as the 2020-2021 recipient, and I am incredibly grateful to AMCHAM and Agoda for this prestigious award.  The scholarship not only provided me financial support, but also helped me connect with others and build my confidence. For example, when preparing to apply for an exchange program, Agoda assisted me by organizing a mock interview, which was very helpful.

Although I was unable to attend the AMCHAM/FedEx Career Camp due to my internship and graduation commitments, I had the opportunity to meet the United States Chargé d’Affaires, Michael Heath during the AMCHAM Scholarship Orientation, and we have stayed in touch ever since. In October 2023, during my Young Southeast Asia Leaders Initiatives (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship, I reached out to him and was able to visit him at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., where he was serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa in the Bureau of African Affairs. Our conversations were deeply inspiring and have greatly influenced my academic and professional interests in international development. Thank you to AMCHAM for supporting my personal and professional development journey.