You Qin’s Unforgettable Summer from Singapore to The Heart of London
26 August 2025
When You Qin first walked through the doors of SIM Global Education (SIMGE), she never imagined that her academic path would one day take her to London’s prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) and experience a city alive with history, theatre, and culture. London seemed like a far-off dream, the kind of adventure reserved for other people’s stories, not her own.
Now in her final year of the SIM–University of London (SIM-UOL) Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business Management programme, You Qin’s path here was not the one she expected. “It was not the path I had originally planned, but SIM-UOL’s three-year honours route and 100% exam-based structure gave me a clear goal and a chance to prove myself.” This mindset - seeing opportunity in a different direction - set the stage for something bigger.
Opening the Door to a Global Classroom
That opportunity came in the form of the SIM Study Abroad Award, which supports Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents studying at SIMGE. The award offers financial help for students to join short-term overseas programmes at their university’s home campus or approved partner institutions. It aims to broaden students’ horizons worldviews and nurture global citizens through cross-cultural experiences.
For students like You Qin, it was more than just financial aid. It was a recognition that her dreams and ambitions mattered. “I knew my parents saw summer school as an unnecessary expense,” she admits. “But I couldn’t shake the dream of studying overseas even just for a few weeks. The award became my way of making that dream possible without adding to their burden.” When she received the award confirmation, she felt joy and relief.
A New Pace, A New Perspective
Over six weeks in London, You Qin immersed herself in a new academic rhythm. “LSE was faster-paced. Instead of weekly lectures, we had lectures and classes every day, plus a mid-session assignment by the second week and a final exam on the third. Time management became essential.”
The intensity pushed her beyond her comfort zone. “Every day was a sprint, and that made me sharper, more disciplined. I learned how to make the most of every hour, something that will stick with me long after graduation.”
Thankfully, LSE’s recorded lectures gave her the flexibility to catch up when the fast pace started to overwhelm.
Magic Beyond the Classroom
While her coursework sharpened her academic focus, London’s vibrant theatre scene left a lasting impression. “Sitting in those ornate theatres, swept up in the music and story, I felt a kind of magic I would never have experienced in Singapore. Those nights in London will stay with me forever.”
Exploring the city came with challenges, like navigating public transport and staying alert against pickpockets. But with tips from LSE’s pre-departure advisors and apps like Citymapper, she quickly found her footing. Meeting other Singaporeans gave her a comforting sense of home in a new place.
Seeing the World as It Is
Her time abroad did more than expand her academic knowledge, it reshaped her understanding of the world. “Living abroad showed me that every place has its beauty and its flaws. It made me more grateful for Singapore and more open to seeing the world as it truly is.”
Talking to classmates from countries she had barely heard of made her realise how small her world had been. “I realized that there is much more to the world than I know. There are so many perspectives, so many ways of life and none of them is less valid than ours.”
While her career goals remain the same, the experience has left her more open to short-term work or study stints in the UK. “I used to see my career path as a straight line,” she reflects. “Now, I think of it more like a map with different routes, detours, and destinations I had not considered before.”
An Unforgettable Chapter
The SIM Study Abroad Award did not just cover tuition and accommodation; it lifted a heavy weight off her family’s shoulders and unlocked experiences that would have otherwise remained out of reach. “It was not just about the money,” she says. “It was about being given a chance to explore, to grow, to see myself in a different light.”
When asked to capture the summer in one word, her answer is immediate: Unforgettable.
“The friendships, challenges, and discoveries I made will stay with me for life. If I could turn back time, I would do it all again.” From London’s lecture halls to its luminous stages, You Qin’s summer abroad was more than a trip, it was a turning point that will shape her future long after the final curtain falls.
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.