On 26 January, Xavier Learning Community (XLC) in Chiang Rai, Thailand, graduated its sixth cohort of students, comprising 17 young people whose journeys are a testament to what access, community, and faith-driven education can achieve.
The ceremony was a celebration of the power of transformation, gratitude, and shared dreams. It began with a solemn Mass, followed by messages from representatives of the graduating class and XLC students, the presentation of certificates of completion, and the tying of white strings around the graduates’ wrists. The white string symbolises good luck, protection, and strength as the graduates step into a new chapter of their lives. The white string also reflects the strong bonds they have formed within the community and the collective hope for their future.
For many of the graduates, this moment once felt impossibly distant. Most of them come from underprivileged backgrounds, with little to no access to quality education. XLC became a bridge, connecting where they came from to where they dreamed of going. Through holistic formation, academic rigour, and a deeply communal way of living and learning, XLC has changed the trajectory of their lives.
XLC envisions itself as a culturally diverse institution dedicated to uplifting and empowering young people, particularly those from ethnic communities in Northern Thailand and neighbouring countries. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition of forming humane and competent leaders who are not only equipped with professional expertise and 21st-century skills but also with integrity, compassion, social awareness, and a commitment to justice. Education at XLC is not confined to the classroom but extends to their communities, providing opportunities for intercultural encounters so they can live for and with others in a complex world.
This vision is reflected vividly in the voices of the graduates themselves.
Sujaree receives her certificate of completion from Fr Pichet Saengthien SJ
For Sujaree, her four years at XLC were a journey of courage and self-discovery. Entering college filled with nervousness and self-doubt, she found in XLC a place where learning went far beyond academics. She learnt how to plant rice, cook meals, live and communicate within diverse ethnic communities, and navigate social relationships within a small community as preparation for a larger society. Drawn initially by XLC’s English programme and its international teachers, she soon discovered something even more profound: a space where cultural diversity became a source of strength.
Her time at XLC was marked by many “firsts”—her first overseas programme, her first teaching internship far from home, and her first real experience of managing life independently. The challenges were real, and there were moments of stress, tears, and doubt. Yet, those very struggles pushed her beyond her comfort zone, helping her grow stronger and more confident.
XLC sharpened her critical thinking, research, and communication skills, while also shaping her character through teamwork, respect for differing perspectives, and confidence in using language in a multicultural environment. Looking back, she expresses deep gratitude to her friends, teachers, Jesuit fathers, and staff who supported her with guidance, encouragement, and care. In her words and life, the XLC spirit resonates clearly: growing in community, sharing in society.
Jaturong with Fr Pichet Saengthien SJ
Similarly, Jaturong’s story reflects resilience in the face of uncertainty. Standing at the crossroads of graduation during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, he grappled with financial instability and the difficult choice between pursuing higher education or returning home to work. Discovering XLC through online announcements and the guidance of a senior changed everything. From his first summer programme—an intense three months of English immersion that challenged him academically—to his later years of growth and confidence, XLC steadily shaped his journey.
What initially felt unfamiliar and even uncomfortable—the dual learning system, the discipline of community life, and the high expectations—eventually became the foundation of his development. Through shared responsibilities like cleaning, gardening, and kitchen duties, as well as off-campus activities and international collaborations, he gained discipline, confidence, and the courage to use English in real-life contexts. Choosing a major in Ecotourism Hospitality Management allowed him to connect his interests with practical, hands-on learning, bridging theory and real-world experience.
One of the highlights of his XLC journey was participating in an overseas Service-Learning Program in the Philippines, where he was able to apply his English skills in an international setting, exchange cultures with students from different countries, and deepen his understanding of service, nature, and community. Beyond academic and professional skills, XLC taught him self-reflection, humility, social awareness, and gratitude. For a young person from a poor rural background, XLC not only opened doors to education but also eased financial burdens and offered opportunities he once never dared to imagine.
As the graduates move forward—towards internships, careers, further studies, and service—they carry with them not just their certificates but also their stories of perseverance, friendships forged across cultures, values rooted in faith and justice, and a deep sense of responsibility to give back. They are living proof of XLC’s mission to form men and women of integrity, ready to build a more just and harmonious world.
XLC Class of 2026 with the Jesuit staff (L-R): Fr Doan Thanh Tam, Fr Pichet Saengthien, Fr Narongrit Daorueangphadung, and Fr Nopparat Ruankool
