“Read about what our alumni have been up to since leaving HIS. Click on their photo to read more.”
So Zhao Qi (Year 13 - 2020)
- WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING?
I’m currently doing 3rd year Design Engineering MEng at Imperial College London (ICL).
- WHAT STIMULATED YOUR INTEREST IN YOUR PARTICULAR MAJOR/COURSE/FIELD?
When I first joined HIS back in Year 7, I was always attached to my favorite subject DT! After IGCSE I knew I wanted to work somewhere in the field of design, but also wanted to apply my academics from maths / engineering. So I combined those two keywords together online and found the perfect match for Design Engineering!
- HOW DID YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME AND STRESS WITH UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS AND A-LEVELS?
A lot of it needed a lot of planning and time management, but when I procrastinated even doing the planning itself, things definitely got overwhelming. What got me through and my best advice is to constantly proactively seek support from your peers, teachers and anyone that can help you.
- HOW IS LEARNING IN A UNIVERSITY SETTING DIFFERENT THAN IN A-LEVEL?
Remember the jump from IGCSE to A-Level, where you had to start doing more independent study and self-pacing your homework deadlines? Well the jump to university is quite the same but a much further leap! Much of your learning would become self-organised, supplemented by lectures and uni work.
- WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/ ACHIEVEMENTS DID YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR RESUME?
I mentioned my interning and teaching experiences with HIS! Working with HELP’s MarComm staff taught me a lot about marketing and being in an office environment; while starting an App Development CCA and being a teaching assistant for new A-Level DT students gave me a lot of insight into education and communication with people!
- NAME ONE INTERESTING OR FUN ANECDOTE THAT YOU HAVE DURING YOUR UNIVERSITY YEARS.
Without any experience or interest beforehand, I ended up joining the Lion Dance team under ICL’s Malaysian Society. I had so much fun learning different stunts and interacting with fellow Malaysians that I performed as the head of a lion in our society’s annual Malaysian Night! It was an unforgettable experience and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to become Captain of this year’s Lion Dance team.
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So Zhao Qi (Year 13 - 2020)
Aidan Paul (Year 13 - 2021)
- WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING?
I am currently a 2nd year student reading Economics, politics and international studies at the University of Warwick, UK.
- HOW DID YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME AND STRESS WITH UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS AND A-LEVELS?
Honestly speaking, it was very difficult managing university applications and being on top of my studies initially. However, I feel once you have an end goal in sight in regards to knowing what you want to do, you are thus willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that.
- HOW DOES THE WORKLOAD IN UNIVERSITY DIFFER TO A-LEVEL?
I think the workload in university is a bit more hefty and independent. Being on top of your assignments are essential to ensure you don’t fall behind and get a good degree classification whereas in A-Levels, doing badly in one or two CAs doesn’t mean you’d thus do badly in the final exams.
- CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE CIMB ASEAN SCHOLARSHIP 2022. WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO STUDENTS NAVIGATING THROUGH A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS?
I think it is heavily dependent on the type of scholarship involved. Personally, I feel that for any scholarship from a big corporation, it is important to get your point across that you want to work for the company after. Other than that, confidence and charisma is key to the interviews and group assessments. Lots of knowledge of the field isn’t being looked for but they’re more interested in yourself as an individual.
- WHAT STIMULATED YOUR INTEREST IN YOUR PARTICULAR MAJOR/COURSE/FIELD?
I was always interested in the economics bit of my degree as I wanted to go into finance. However, I felt it was cliché of me to do a pure economics degree so I combined it with politics which I felt was a lot more unique, especially in Asia.
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY AT HIS?
My favourite memory at HIS was going out every Friday for lunch with friends after school.
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Aidan Paul (Year 13 - 2021)
Lee Young Woo (Year 13 - 2021)
- WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING?
I’m currently majoring in Biological Sciences at Seoul National University.
- HOW DID THE TEACHERS SUPPORT YOU DURING THE DIFFERENT PHASES IN SIXTH FORM?
My teachers always valued knowledge beyond the textbook because the current trend shows that exam boards tend to show an increasing preference for application of knowledge over basic theory. Although being grilled in class about things that did not seem so obvious in the textbook was a cause of anxiety, it helped me become an assertive learner. The teachers at HIS encouraged self-directed learning by offering a wide range of resources without spoon-feeding the answers. I think pursuing my interest independently on a deeper level also helped me build a more original résumé that appealed to the university admissions officers
- HOW HAS SIXTH FORM HELPED YOU COPE WITH UNIVERSITY STUDY AND LIFE?
In university, no one is there to guide you along your progress. Lecturers may teach only the basics and expect students to complete assignments of a completely different level of difficulty. Your learning is really up to you, yourself. Being an independent learner has helped me throughout A-levels into my university. Other than study habits, opportunities such as IPQ taught me citation skills and familiarised me with dissertations and research papers. Writing reports is a common task in university, and these skills certainly do help a lot.
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE A-LEVELS OVER OTHER PRE-U PROGRAMMES? HOW HAS YOUR DECISION BENEFITED YOU?
What sets A-Levels apart is the focus on depth of knowledge over a breadth of knowledge. If you are generally certain about what subject areas pique your interest, then I would say A-Levels is a more suitable choice. Since A-Levels is an exam-oriented course that does not require coursework, students are given a lot of time to explore other interests like leading a student-led organisation, a club, or a study group. Extracurriculars are an important factor for university admissions, and taking A-Levels has allowed me to strengthen my portfolio from an extracurricular perspective without having to stress about balancing my academic responsibilities.
- WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FOND MEMORIES YOU HAVE ABOUT HIS?
To be completely honest, my Year 13 was cut short due to the Coronavirus. However, my A-Levels batch was very tight-knit, which I think was possible because of the bonding activities we had. The joint A-Levels Ignite Camp, which I luckily had the opportunity of going to in Year 12, allowed me to grow close to a lot of my peers and seniors.
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Lee Young Woo (Year 13 - 2021)
Chew Jun (Year 11 - 2021)
- WHAT STIMULATED YOUR INTEREST IN YOUR PARTICULAR MAJOR/COURSE/FIELD?
I have loved fish since I was 3. When I was around 5, I met Dr Bruce Mate of Oregon University at Mid Valley when he came to Malaysia. He was the director of the Marine Mammal Institute from 2006 to 2019 and was the person that solidified my passion for anything to do with marine/aquatics. I followed my passion and now I am pursuing a degree in Marine Biotechnology so I can have a career in aquaculture.
- HOW DID YOU EXPLORE YOUR INTEREST OUTSIDE OF YOUR ACADEMICS WHILE YOU WERE AT SCHOOL / UNI?
During semester breaks I would indulge myself in projects or activities I love that are too time-consuming during study times. For example, applying the knowledge I acquired from academics in activities like fishing, white-water rafting, and aquaponics. I like reading to gain extra knowledge and be inspired too. So during the weekends I would read or watch YouTube videos to obtain the knowledge I don’t get in school/uni as well as to stay inspired and motivated. I also like photography. So whenever I can squeeze out time during the weekends I would walk around my neighbourhood to take photographs, which has improved my imagination and creativity.
- NAME 1 BIG WAY / INFLUENCE IN WHICH LIFE AT HIS HAS PREPARED YOU FOR UNIVERSITY LIFE?
The HIS community of making me comfortable in having conversations and working with different people has made my life in university much more flexible. This is because I can work with more people and have more friends.
- SHARE WITH US 3 TOP TIPS FROM JUN, AS TO HOW TO PREPARE A CV FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION / INTERVIEW.
Xiamen University Malaysia is extremely academic, the only requirement for the application of its scholarships is meeting the required number of A’s for Foundation and achieving the required CGPA in Foundation (or equivalent) for scholarships in degree. The scholarships in degree must be renewed every year, hence it is compulsory to maintain a specific academic ranking to renew the scholarship. No interviews are required for any of the scholarship applications. The only tip I can give based on my experience is to work hard and set appropriate goals to meet the requirements of the scholarship.
- LOOKING BACK TO YOUR DAYS IN HIS, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
All the compulsory group projects, presentations, and public speaking opportunities are not a nuisance, but rather a blessing in disguise. Work hard to acquire all these soft skills, you will not regret it.
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Chew Jun (Year 11 - 2021)
Benjamin Ong (Year 13 – 2022)
- WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS THAT YOU ARE PROUD OF?
Project Purpose was a milestone achievement for me given the conditions I was put into, it really helped me grow and prosper greatly as an individual. Despite the pandemic lockdown and the many internal issues that my team faced, we managed to adapt and move forward, and getting the best impact award makes me feel proud of my extreme efforts and time dedicated to making this project a success with my team.
- HOW DID YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME AND STRESS WITH UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS AND A LEVELS?
Applying for UK was a bit of a hassle as I had to juggle studies and constantly keep track of the progress of my uni application. The biggest part of applying to UK universities was the Personal Statement. I treated writing the personal statement as a getaway from academics so personally, it wasn’t as stressful for me and instead became a period to destress. Hence I would say having a different perspective (treating it as time away from studies) to uni application helped me manage my ‘stress’. Also, having an agent who oversees your university application really helps alleviate the stress of missing out or forgetting something.
- WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT HIS?
The very supportive teachers, they are the kindest and most caring teachers I have known till today. Without them, I don’t think I would have shaped out to be the person I am today and I can confidently say that they have made my journey in HIS an extremely memorable one which I’m eternally grateful for.
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Benjamin Ong (Year 13 – 2022)
Sabrina Leong (Year 13 – 2022)
- WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS THAT YOU ARE PROUD OF?
I think an achievement I am proud of is when I auditioned for MPYO and prepared for my diploma violin exam at the same time (I managed to get into the orchestra and also get distinction for my exam).
- HOW DID YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME AND STRESS WITH UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS AND A LEVELS?
I luckily did not have to apply for university when i was doing my A-Levels, so I can’t say too much about managing my time there.
- WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT HIS?
Having a regular social environment.
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Sabrina Leong (Year 13 – 2022)
Cho Subin (Year 13 - 2022)
- WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING?
I’m now enrolled in Seoul National University, undertaking Bachelor of Food & Biotechnology.
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HIS A-LEVELS PROGRAMME?
To be honest, I always wanted to be in a school rather than a college as I thought that I would work better in a controlled environment. Also, not only do schools focus on academics, but also give importance to physical education and extracurricular activities. I chose the HIS A- Levels programme because I heard many good comments about the teachers in HIS and the large range of ECAs that they provide.
- WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE IN THE 2 YEARS STUDYING AT HIS?
I am not going to lie, the first half of the first year was definitely a challenge due to many factors such as making new friendships and forming bonds with teachers, and also learning more advanced and difficult concepts! Most of my classmates in HIS were existing students and I was worried about blending in. Nevertheless, I met many friendly people. I really want to thank my friends who were with me throughout the two years, I wouldn’t have done it without them
- HOW DID THE TEACHERS SUPPORT YOU DURING THE DIFFERENT PHASES AT SCHOOL THROUGH TO YOUR UNI APPLICATIONS?
Actually, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now without all my teachers’ help. Preparing for our A-Level exams, teachers gave us the greatest exposure by setting our CAs a little different from the past year’s papers, taking questions from other boards, and still relating the question to our syllabus. I think this trained us mentally to prepare for non-familiar questions and their style of asking questions. My university counsellor really helped me a lot with the documents I needed for university – Korean universities are very particular about documents and thankfully, she was extremely patient and heartfully cared for me. She also wrote my recommendation letter together with other teachers to help me succeed. I really do not know how to thank all my teachers enough for guiding me through the two years.
- HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT GETTING INTO SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY AND BEING OFFERED THE COURSE OF YOUR FIRST CHOICE?
Both my mum and I looked at each other and screamed – I could not believe that I got into the top university in Korea! The course is exactly what I wanted; food technology and biotechnology. This was when I knew that tears of joy actually exist!
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Cho Subin (Year 13 - 2022)
Teh Nian Yii (Year 13 - 2020)
- HOW WAS THE SHIFT FROM SIXTH FORM/COLLEGE TO UNIVERSITY LIFE?
Going from sixth form to university definitely brought along a lot of changes. Moving to a different country alone amidst the Covid-19 pandemic was both exciting and daunting, and really pushed me to be more independent and learn to take initiative.
- HOW DID YOU EXPLORE YOUR INTEREST OUTSIDE OF YOUR ACADEMICS WHEN YOU DID YOUR A-LEVELS?
During my A-levels, I was involved in Chinese Orchestra and Eco-Schools. Being part of the Chinese Orchestra in particular allowed me to explore my interest in music through learning a new instrument and performing with my peers.
- WHAT ARE SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS NAVIGATING THROUGH DECIDING ON A COURSE AND UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS?
I would say to choose a course you find interesting and think you will enjoy. Do not be afraid to explore topics surrounding the course you are interested in to get a feel of it, even if those topics are in areas you have never encountered before.
- NAME ONE INTERESTING OR FUN ANECDOTE THAT YOU HAVE DURING YOUR UNIVERSITY YEARS
My friends and I tried to go stargazing one day at the start of Spring, but the weather ended up being cloudy. Within an hour, we were shivering from the cold and we went indoors and watched a movie instead.
- LOOKING BACK TO YOUR A-LEVEL DAYS, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
I would tell her she’s doing well — that despite any of the difficulties or failures she may be facing, everything will turn out okay.
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Teh Nian Yii (Year 13 - 2020)
Syazwan Nur (Year 11 - 2019)
- WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING?
I am currently in the UK doing my final year, BSc Media and Communications.
- HOW HAS LIFE AT HIS SIXTH FORM / YEAR 11 PREPARED YOU FOR UNIVERSITY?
Year 11 at HIS has shaped me to be the person I am today, and was one of the best experiences of my life. Studying at HIS made me realise that with hard work, anything is possible. The people you surround yourself with are significantly important too.
- WHAT IS ONE THING YOU REGRET NOT SPENDING MORE TIME ON/ PURSUING WHILE IN A-LEVEL / AT SCHOOL?
One thing I regret not pursuing more of, are the CCAs at school. HIS offers a wide range of CCA options, and I know if I were a student again, I’d join as many as I could.
- WHAT STIMULATED YOUR INTEREST IN YOUR PARTICULAR MAJOR/COURSE/FIELD?
Being an extrovert, it made me realise that I am particularly interested in interacting with people from all walks of life. I believe media is extremely relevant to today’s society as applications like TikTok and Instagram are widely popular.
- WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS NAVIGATING THROUGH DECIDING ON A COURSE AND UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS?
Whilst listening to your parents is important, it is also worthwhile to listen to what you actually want. It will be valuable to apply to a course you are actually passionate about.
- LOOKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN HIS, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
I would tell my younger self: Having fun is great, but working hard is equally great too. It’s imperative that you maintain a good balance in your high school life.
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