What’s really special about my scholarship is that it is all-inclusive, yet bond-free! This shows NUS’ genuine interest in encouraging individuals to develop as people and scholars. I am grateful for the flexibility that my scholarship affords, as I am still navigating my path.

The scholarship has also relieved a financial load off my parents, since I have two younger siblings in my family. It supports my living on campus, and I appreciate being able to be part of the residential community in University Town. The scholarship also provides the opportunity to go on a semester-long exchange programme, which is a real privilege. In addition, the Global Merit Scholarship provides grants for overseas trips, which will allow me to make bolder and more colourful choices during my tenure at NUS.

I joined the NUS Wind Symphony, which has practice sessions three times a week. As the Assistant Marketing Officer, I assist in promoting the Wind Symphony and securing sponsorships so that it can continue to be a venue for music lovers to make good music together. I also took part in the NUS Wind Ensemble, a short-term experience that required two weeks of intensive practice sessions under a visiting conductor.

In USP, I am excited to be part of the Standing Committee planning for next year's Freshman Orientation Programme. I do hope to participate in more interest groups, and have already obtained a 1-star sailing certificate thanks to a course organised by the USP Sailing interest group.

I am also part of the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme, which provides a platform for students to initiate community projects and advocate meaningful causes in practical ways. It also organises other occasional workshops and activities such as the Human Trafficking Symposium.

I stay at Cinnamon College in a suite and I often hang out with suitemates and friends in the common areas. We love to jam together during our free time as I have a keyboard, flute and ukulele in my room, and some of the others also play instruments.

The integration of residential living into the USP programme gives us a lot more space to get to know each other better. I am glad to have made some really close friends, even though we’ve only known each other for a couple of months.

1. USP
   The multidisciplinary academic programme that USP offers is intellectually stimulating and engaging. It is also a tight-knit community, with a lot of support structures in place, such as peer mentors.
2. Opportunity
   NUS is really a place filled with opportunities. You can venture into new areas, take up leadership positions, and get involved in whatever you are interested in.
3. Community
   From the different communities I’ve been in so far (FASS, USP, Wind Symphony), NUS gives both the physical space and funding to forge community.

For one, NUS is established and reputable, with rigorous academics. NUS also enables you to be firmly rooted in the local context as you go through your uni years. I think that it’s important to be rooted in the community here, to build relationships that last, and to give back to the Singapore community, which has nurtured me all these years.