Studying overseas is challenging.
Studying overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic is undoubtedly double, or even triple, the challenge. Navigating through the feelings of uncertainty, overcoming language barriers, adjusting to a new culture, adapting to new routines, being far away from social network, keeping updated on the rapidly changing social management measures and not knowing when you could see your loved ones again are just a few difficulties an international student must face in a foreign country.
For Ms Song Zhuojue, a graduate of the Master of Arts in Humanities Education (MAHE) programme offered by the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NIE NTU, Singapore), these challenges were nothing but exciting times for her. Apart from moving alone to Singapore from Sichuan, China, to study in 2021, she leveraged on her newly attained qualification and relocated to Bangkok in the following year as an educator in an international school, becoming something of a globe-trotter.
MAHE is a programme designed for humanities educators and educational leaders who are interested in advancing their professional knowledge through disciplinary and interdisciplinary explorations of humanities education in Geography, History, and Social Studies. Interestingly, MAHE was not Ms Song’s first choice. While she was given the option to apply for two graduate programmes during the application exercise, MAHE was the programme she was offered. This marked her first positive experience with NIE NTU, Singapore. Ms Song recalled fondly, “A conversation with the admissions office allowed me to have a clearer understanding of the programme. As my undergraduate major was in ethnology where I studied ethnicity, culture and society, I was convinced that MAHE was the programme that could help me combine what I had learned in my undergraduate days with my future plans to work in education.”
Throughout the one-year programme as a full-time student, Ms Song found that the courses constantly piqued her interest and made her curious. Her hunger to know the unknown propelled her to delve further into the topic of humanities education through research and critical thinking. “This was achieved through group discussions and academic sparring. Everyone was encouraged to express their views and perspectives, and to share their knowledge,” said Ms Song. She further added that group presentations improved her spoken English and developed her ability for public speaking. She also overcame her shyness and stage fright. Ms Song credited the valuable learning experience and insight gained at NIE to the dedicated commitment by NIE lecturers who not only had high demands on students’ academic performance, but also encouraged them through regular feedback and consultations to give deeper thoughts into how concepts learnt in class could be applied in the real world.
Being the go-getter that she is, Ms Song was very clear at the onset about what her motivation for applying to study at NIE was. “NIE is first and foremost a teacher-training institute. It has a strong collaborative relationship with the Ministry of Education in Singapore by training and developing teachers with sound theoretical foundations and applications, contributing to Singapore’s strong education system. While my undergraduate degree was not related to education, I had always envisaged myself as an educator in an international school. NIE’s graduate degree helped me to achieve my dream by providing me an education that is rigorous and of high quality,” Ms Song emphasised. “Studying in NIE prepared me with the required pedagogical know-how, and a greater understanding of the Singapore education syllabus so that I can perform my responsibilities as an educator in the Singapore international school I am currently teaching at in Bangkok.”
When asked to share her experience as an international student, Ms Song elaborated that Singapore, being a multi-cultural country that is rich in diversity and inclusivity, had broadened her horizons. Originally from China where its population and culture were typically more homogenous, Singapore had proven to be a melting pot of ethnic cultures and religious traditions. Interacting with different people from all walks of life had awaken her realisation that there is a big world out there waiting for her to explore. The enriching experience as an international student in Singapore prepared her to continue her adventures overseas. “I have grown much more in this one year compared to my life before I left my home country to study in Singapore. I am more confident and independent. With greater courage, I made the decision to leave behind my ‘normal life’ and start another new phase in life in Bangkok.”
Summing up her one-year full-time experience as an international student at NIE, Ms Song has shared the following – “From the moment I was successfully enrolled into NIE’s MAHE programme, the time I spent on campus gave me the most pleasant and precious memories in my life. NIE lecturers and staff were very professional and dedicated throughout my journey as a graduate student, creating a conducive learning environment for us and providing unconditional support to us as we worked towards academic excellence. I am grateful that NIE gave me this opportunity to change the trajectory of my life. Obtaining a master’s degree opened doors to new career options that I didn’t previously have. The pedagogical skills and knowledge I acquired at NIE have prepared me to be a better educator in the future.”
Like Ms Song Zhuojue, do you dream of an opportunity to study and live abroad? Do you look forward to challenging yourself to achieve your fullest potential? Let NIE take you on this journey of discovery and self-actualisation as you prepare to jumpstart your academic pursuit as a graduate student. Application for August 2023 intake is open from 1 November 2022 to 13 January 2023. For more information, visit www.nie.edu.sg/aug2023.
Also, if you missed the Postgraduate & Continuing Education Fair 2022, you can watch programme-related talks and videos here: www.nie.edu.sg/pgce.
The National Institute of Education (NIE) is an autonomous institute under the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. It has been consistently ranked among the top 20 educational institutions in the world and the top five in Asia by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking.
