Nearly a million views later: How Yanisa is helping others study from Thailand

Yanisa Chaisiriwongsuk completed her MBA online from Thailand while working full-time and serving in the military. Now, she is using that experience to help other professionals understand whether postgraduate study could fit into their lives too.

After graduating from Edinburgh Business School (EBS) at Heriot-Watt University, Yanisa began sharing practical advice about her MBA journey on TikTok. She talks openly about studying alongside work, learning in English and what it is like to complete a UK degree online. One of her videos has reached nearly a million views.

“As I spoke with prospective students, I realised many worried about their English, balancing work and study, or whether an online degree would be officially recognised in Thailand. I wanted to bridge those gaps by sharing my own experience, practical study tips, and guidance in Thai”, she said.

Yanisa’s interest in helping others understand what studying an MBA involves grew from her own experience. Before starting the MBA, she had worked across economics, education, consulting, management and the military. She wanted to build a broader understanding of business, strengthen her leadership skills and prepare for the possibility of starting her own business in the future.

“I’ve always believed the best investment you can make is in yourself, and education is the key,” she said.

With a full-time career and military commitments already demanding her time, she had to find a way to make postgraduate study work alongside the rest of her life.

Finding an MBA that could fit around her career

Working full-time while serving in the military meant flexibility was central to Yanisa’s decision.

After researching several universities, she chose the MBA from EBS because she could study at her own pace from Thailand while continuing with her career and staying close to her family.

“Since I was working full-time and serving in the military, I needed flexibility,” she said. “I appreciated the flexibility of studying at my own pace while earning the same globally recognised UK degree as on-campus students.”

That flexibility allowed Yanisa to continue with her existing commitments, but completing an MBA alongside them still demanded a significant amount of discipline. She finished the programme in just one year while continuing to work full-time.

“The biggest challenge was balancing work, military responsibilities, and studying,” she said. “There were difficult moments, but I focused on building a routine instead of relying on motivation. Taking small, consistent steps every day helped me stay on track.”

Rather than treating her studies as something she would fit in when she had spare time, Yanisa built it into her routine. In doing so, she developed habits and strategies that have continued to be useful long after completing the MBA.

“Along the way, I developed stronger discipline, resilience, and time management skills that still benefit me today,” she said.

Putting what she learned into practice

Studying alongside work also meant Yanisa did not have to wait until graduation to see the relevance of what she was learning.

“I could apply what I learned immediately in my career and business, which made the experience very practical,” she said.

Over the course of the MBA, she began approaching her work differently. The programme strengthened her professional credibility and supported her military career, but Yanisa says its most important impact was on the way she thinks, makes decisions and leads.

“It changed how I think. Today, I approach challenges more strategically, make decisions with greater confidence, and feel much more comfortable leading teams.”

That development is one reason she encourages prospective students to think beyond the qualification itself.

Her advice to people considering studying an online MBA is: “Don’t focus solely on the qualification; focus on the person you’ll become. An MBA changes how you think, solve problems, and lead others.”

Yanisa’s advice reflects how she saw her own development. “I gained much more than a degree – I became a more confident professional, a stronger leader, and a more disciplined person.”

Sharing the experience with others

It was only after graduating that Yanisa realised how useful her experience could be to people considering the same decision.

Through conversations with prospective learners, she began hearing the same questions repeatedly. Could they manage studying alongside a full-time job? Was their English good enough? And what would studying for an online UK degree from Thailand actually involve? They were practical concerns that Yanisa could answer from experience.

“I believe education shouldn’t be limited by where you live, your finances, or your stage in life – often the biggest barrier is believing it’s not possible,” she said.

Sharing advice in Thai allows her to address some of those uncertainties directly and give prospective students a clearer idea of what the experience involves before they make their decision.

What began as Yanisa’s own decision to return to education has developed into something wider. The MBA gave her new ways to approach her career, and her experience completing it alongside work and military service is now helping other professionals consider what might be possible alongside their own commitments.

She said: “I hope to continue working with Edinburgh Business School, inspiring more professionals across Thailand and Southeast Asia to believe that world-class education is accessible and life-changing.”

Study the online MBA from wherever you are

Our online MBA is designed for professionals who want to continue working while developing their business, leadership and strategic skills.

With the flexibility to study from wherever you are, you can fit your learning around your existing commitments and apply new ideas directly to your work. Whether you are looking to progress in your current career, prepare for a new opportunity or develop the confidence to start something of your own, the programme can help you build the knowledge and perspective to take your next step.

Like Yanisa, you can study at your own pace while earning a globally recognised UK degree from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University.

Explore the online MBA at Edinburgh Business School.