Beyond borders: my passion for politics and learning

For achieving the highest mark globally in the module 'Introduction to Political Science', she received a £400 award as part of the James Stewart Cook Convocation Trust Prize. With a strong interest in politics and education, she brings enthusiasm to her studies and beyond. Here, she shares her motivations and her academic journey so far.

Passion for the socio-political and educational landscape

I initially pursued a Diploma in Early Childhood Development and Education because of my love for young children and belief in their unlimited potential. I was a preschool English teacher for a year after graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2022. 

In my short but rewarding teaching career, I became aware of structural inequalities in our community that are often overlooked but are a fact of life for many vulnerable people in Singapore. It was sobering to see the children under my care have to face these problems everyday as part of their life.

Seeing bright children burdened by challenges in food security and access to educational resources made me sharply aware of the socioeconomic disparities that exist even at preschool. The juxtaposition of realities ignited a curiosity in me to delve deeper into learning about persistent systemic inequalities, where I can understand the power dynamics existing in our system and how it impacts different communities globally. These truly cemented my decision to pursue my studies in International Relations.

My learning journey

The BSc (Honours) in International Relations programme at SIM-UoL has allowed me to apply the different concepts taught in class to current affairs. It is often interconnected with politics and economics, and combining knowledge from these three disciplines through UoL’s extensive curriculum and selection of electives has enabled me to learn about current affairs more comprehensively.

A core concept taught is democracy, which underpins international relations and politics. This equipped me with tools to analyse and contextualise global developments, such as Trump’s recent re-election and how it could foreshadow certain policies his administration might undertake. 

Democracy emphasises principles like popular sovereignty, institutional accountability and civil liberties. The re-election illustrates how democratic backsliding can occur even in long-established democracies, a critical area of study in International Relations.

There are many concepts that can be used to analyse this crisis and current affairs, as International Relations is after all an evolving discipline. To tackle such complicated and content-heavy chapters, I make mind-maps to help me compartmentalise the information.

My lecturers would always advise us to practice writing essays so that we can engage with the content, rather than remember facts by rote. In addition to my studies, I also juggle between freelance teaching, school activities as being a SIM Economics Society sub-committee member, and content creation. Hence, good time management is very crucial.

Receiving the UoL James Stewart Cook Convocation Trust Prize is humbling, as it is an acknowledgement of the time and hard work I have invested into my education. It is proof that I have what it takes to excel in my chosen field of study and has fuelled my aspirations to work even harder.

Making an impact through volunteering

Outside of academics, I learnt about AIESEC, a global youth-led non-profit organisation focused on developing leadership skills in young people through cross-cultural exchanges. SIM's AIESEC facilitated connected me with their counterpart at the Ewha Womans University.

During my summer break, I became an SDG 5 project volunteer at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. Focused on achieving gender equality and female empowerment, this initiative is part of the United Nations’ efforts to address global poverty and inequality by 2030. The experience broadened my learning horizons and allowed me to contribute to a meaningful international project.

Over six weeks, I worked and lived with other global volunteers from South Korea, Indonesia, Germany, and Turkey on this project. I participated in activities such as conference and campaign preparations, advocacy, research, and stakeholder engagement. This experience has increased my cross-cultural competency and greatly broadened my understanding of gender equality.

Some topics that we researched – ecofeminism and women’s cybersecurity – were not covered in my syllabus, making this external project experience so much more precious. We also met with South Korean entrepreneurs, an author, and even a spokesperson from Amnesty International, who shared their professional experiences in their fight for gender equality. 

The project gave me a platform to practice public speaking by preparing for conferences and even taking on the role of an international panellist for South Korean high school students, where we spoke about gender equality in our own countries. We also worked on various campaigns to raise awareness for women’s rights and raise funds for Amnesty International.

Researching the treatment of women from other countries, such as bride trafficking and high wage disparities, strengthened my resolve to be a voice for vulnerable communities internationally and break glass ceilings. This is an experience that the physical classroom would not be able to provide me with, and I am excited to apply the skills I have gained from this project in my future career endeavours.

Vision for the future

Everyone embarks on a unique journey in life, and my background in early education taught me the value of foundational development – not just in individuals, but in systems. I have seen how nurturing environments and tailored guidance can empower children to think critically and grow to become engaged citizens.

This shaped my belief that education remains the most powerful tool for fostering long-term socio-political change. I firmly believe in the power of education, and I aspire to be part of a global effort to ensure that every child has access to education, especially in conflict-ridden zones. I hope to take on roles that involve international development, humanitarian affairs, and peace-building in my future career. 

Advice for fellow students

If there is one thing I’ve learned from life, it’s the importance of persistence and adaptability. Whether helping a child master a new skill or navigating complex international systems, purposeful change takes time and requires patience. My advice is to focus on small, meaningful steps and never underestimate the ripple effect of their actions, because it can be a catalyst for life’s next canon event.