For Sim Jia Rong, curiosity has always been a defining trait. “Whenever there is something that piques my curiosity, I would always look it up to find the answers.” That instinct to explore has shaped both her academic journey and her approach to life, especially during her semester abroad.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Marketing at University of Stirling at SIM, Jia Rong’s path to university was far from linear. After completing a diploma in Writing for Television and New Media at Singapore Polytechnic, she entered the media industry full-time. When she later decided to return to formal education, her programme choice was intentional. “I feel that I am well-equipped with knowledge of the media industry from my time in polytechnic and my full-time job.” Marketing, she felt, would complement her existing skill set while allowing her to learn something new.
A Dream Deferred by Financial Reality
From the moment she enrolled at SIM, studying overseas had always been something Jia Rong considered. “Going for an exchange during my third year here is something I have always thought about since I enrolled.” Yet the financial reality was daunting. With limited family support, she was prepared to let the idea go if it proved unworkable.
The SIM Study Abroad Award changed that trajectory. Introduced to the award after careful planning and saving, Jia Rong decided to apply, knowing it could make a critical difference. The award ultimately enabled her to take part in a semester abroad at the University of Stirling, Scotland, an opportunity aligned with her programme and personal circumstances.
The news arrived unexpectedly. “I was on my way out when I read the email. When I first saw the news, I was so shocked I froze in my steps for a while.” What followed was a rush of emotions - joy, excitement, and immense relief. “At the same time, I felt a huge sense of relief knowing that this award could help me financially.”
For Jia Rong, the award did more than fund a trip. It lifted a significant burden off her family and removed the fear of graduating with debt.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Jia Rong spent three and a half months in Scotland, adapting to a new culture, academic environment, and way of life. While everything initially felt foreign, she was struck by how welcoming people were. “Unexpectedly, the most memorable experience during my time abroad is the strangers I met along the way.” Casual conversations with locals on buses, in museums, and even with accommodation staff became meaningful cultural exchanges.
Academically, the contrast was equally striking. “In Singapore, students are likely to be more reserved and seldom speak up in class. However, the students here were not afraid to voice out their answers during class.” Over time, Jia Rong found herself participating more actively, gaining confidence in expressing her views.
Her modules also involved working with real companies, including one in the timber industry - an unfamiliar sector for a student from Singapore. “However, I realised, it was not that bad to step out of my comfort zone.” The experience broadened her thinking and challenged her assumptions about her future career path.
Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
Beyond academics, Jia Rong embraced experiences she might never have tried otherwise. “Taking this as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I went for dance and Muay Thai classes.” While challenging, these moments became highlights of her exchange, reinforcing the value of saying yes to the unfamiliar.
Homesickness, however, was real. “A few weeks into the exchange, I started missing the food, my family and friends.” She found comfort in shared routines with friends and dormmates, cooking familiar meals, and building a sense of community far from home.
The exchange reshaped how Jia Rong sees the world. Experiencing the UK’s slower pace of life made a lasting impression. “Their slow pace of life made me learn how to relax when things do not have to be that serious.” It also deepened her appreciation for cultural diversity and patience across differences.
If she had to sum up her experience in one word, Jia Rong chose it carefully: “Irreplaceable’. I believe this whole experience is something I would never get to experience again.”
Through initiatives like the SIM Study Abroad Award, SIM continues to ensure that global exposure and transformative learning experiences remain within reach, empowering students like Jia Rong to explore the world, expand their perspectives, and return with stories that shape who they become.
About the SIM Study Abroad Award
The SIM Study Abroad Award offers financial support to needy students (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) studying at SIM Global Education (GE). The award enables students to participate in short-term overseas exposure programmes at the home campus of their university or the approved designated universities. Students gain broader worldview to become global citizens through their exposure to different cultures, global communities and education system.