s a rather sheltered 13-year-old, I embarked on a community service trip to Vietnam. At the orphanage, children lay sick on the floor with no access to healthcare. Befriending the children at the orphanage and witnessing their living conditions first-hand struck a chord in my heart. This ignited my aspiration to become a doctor—to be a friend, a listening ear, and a helping hand to those in need.

After my GCE A-Level examination, I applied to NUS Medicine but failed to gain entry. Devastated, I spent the next few months making sure that my heart was in the right place and that studying medicine was the choice for me. For a year, I volunteered at an organisation that provides affordable healthcare for migrant workers in Singapore. After spending a gap year volunteering and working odd jobs, I was still sure that I wanted to pursue medicine, so I made the difficult and costly decision of moving to Australia to study.

While there was a lot of adjusting to do, I had an amazing time at the University of Western Australia (UWA). Studying abroad forced me into independence and self-reliance. I experienced a new way of life, a new system of education, and a new environment. To immerse myself in the university culture, I joined a choir, The Winthrop Singers, and the Western Australian Medical Students’ Society where I managed Red Party’s Red Aware Week—a fundraiser and campaign that raises awareness for HIV/AIDS.

It was not uncommon to spend weekends having brunch at local cafes, driving through the bushlands, hiking and relaxing at the beaches. I spent weekday mornings taking long runs in the neighbourhood park to soak in the scenery before starting my day at the university or at my part-time job. The sunsets were also particularly breathtaking.

Despite enjoying my time in Perth, I always counted down to the days until my next flight back to Singapore.

Jacqueline (first row, fourth from the right) after a performance with the Winthrop Singers.

This year, in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was given the choice to return to Singapore to continue studying remotely. I jumped at the opportunity to return home to spend time with my family and friends in Singapore. Towards the end of the first semester of my third year, I received news that NUS Medicine had opened up spaces for transfer students. Hopeful, but with conservative expectations, I applied for the second time. Every stage of the application process was nerve-racking—from writing my application essay in the midst of my final examinations, to the interview. When I got news of an offer to NUS Medicine, I was delighted. I had finally achieved my long-time dream of entering the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

While the academic rigour is as intense, clinical exposure comes in a lot earlier at NUS. Thankfully, I had very helpful peers who helped me adapt to the new environment.

I also joined the junior committee of SIGNapse, a sign language interest group at NUS that aims to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hard of hearing community, and the university community.

Living and studying in the place I call home is something I really cherish, especially after having been away for so long. Though I’ve entered the School at an odd time, with many classes being held online, it has been exciting nonetheless. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been granted, and I look forward to the rest of my studies and my career ahead.