My mom’s piano that I’d use to practice for concerts
What do music and medicine have in common? To Year 2 medical student and scholar Raeanne Wong, medicine is as much an art as it is a science, and there are many parallels between the two. When the NUS Performing & Visual Arts Scholarship presented the opportunity to further her two passions, it was a clear choice despite the demands of balancing the rigourous medical curriculum with her musical pursuits.
Join Raeanne as she reflects on how her scholarship journey and fulfilling campus experiences continue to shape her passions, personal growth, and the impact she hopes to make in the future as a medical practitioner.
The Intersection of Arts and Science
Singing has always brought me pure joy. I chose the NUS Performing & Visual Arts Scholarship because it allows me to pursue both music and medicine, and it is also bond-free. NUS was a clear choice due to its long and rich history, and most importantly, it has both a medical school and a music conservatory. As the most established medical school in Asia, I knew it would provide me with the best possible training to serve future patients.
Medicine is as much an art as it is a science, and there are so many parallels between both. The scholarship provided me with greater support in exploring the humanistic side of medicine.
While medicine is about the in-depth understanding of physiology, anatomy, and more, I believe that this scientific pursuit can be enhanced with a softer and more intricate understanding of humans. Arts offer a unique lens through which we can explore this, revealing the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of what it means to be human. I am inspired to explore this intersection further and hope to make a meaningful impact in healthcare one day.
Passion – The Golden Ticket
I applied for the scholarship through the NUS’ scholarship portal and submitted an audition tape of my singing. I was shortlisted for the interview and live audition shortly. The scholarship selection process was smooth, as all the requirements were clear and the information online was readily accessible.
The interview panel had distinguished faculty members who were incredibly warm, and they made me feel at ease. This helped me enjoy the interview and audition process, where I was able to share my love for music and healthcare. I think that the panel could witness my passion, and that made the difference!
Beyond Books and Classrooms
My campus life and journey have been really fulfilling! I owe much of my experience to the time spent with friends, and the strong mentoring system that sees medical officers and seniors coming alongside to support us in many ways.
This year, I took on the vice-captain position of my house, Patientia, after witnessing the impact of community support between seniors and juniors. It has been a joy planning various house events! I also joined the Medical Humanities Collective — a group that builds safe spaces for students to discuss medicine and the humanities. One of our initiatives, MedTalks, is a discussion series that explores the intertwining of medicine and various forms of the humanities.
Project Rudolph is another community involvement project close to my heart. We go around the paediatric wards during Christmas to sing carols and distribute toys. It fills me with so much warmth seeing the children smile amidst their health challenges.
Project Sonetto is a new project I am starting alongside my team. It aims to use music as a form of potential intervention for the different symptoms that children with ADHD present with. We are exploring the use of musical rhythms in regulating timing deficiencies and short attention span, and hope to use music as a form of self-expression for the children.
The Neverending Pursuit of Personal Growth
I believe that a scholar should be passionate, committed, and resilient. Passion keeps you driven when the going gets tough, and commitment to your craft will further hone and refine your skills. Looking beyond perfection and being open to learning from every challenge is essential in helping us grow to be better versions of ourselves every day.
Holding space for discipline and creativity is important too. The right combination of consistency and innovation would not only help you grow in your journey but also give back to the community.
RAEANNE WONG CHIEN YIN
NUS Performing & Visual Arts Scholarship
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Year 2
From: National Junior College