Since her first exposure to Social and Cultural Anthropology studies in the School of the Arts, Valerie Lim has gone full circle from taking a gap year to gaining real-life experience and pursuing Anthropology at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Excited for what lies ahead of her and reflecting on her first year in the university, Valerie gives us a glimpse into her learning journey and shares how the NUS Global Merit Scholarship has helped her personally and professionally.
A Clear Choice
Prior to NUS, I had the opportunity to study Social and Cultural Anthropology for my International Baccalaureate Examinations. The subject opened my eyes to a new and exciting way of understanding people and complex social issues. Hoping to delve deeper, I took a gap year to gain work and volunteering experience in local non-profit organisations (NPOs), including a six-month internship at Project X, an NPO that advocates sex worker rights.
These experiences cemented my desire and love for working on the ground, affirming that Anthropology is the right course to further my professional interests and knowledge. As the only local university that offers the course, NUS is the clear choice.
After this, I decided to apply for the NUS Global Merit Scholarship as it allows me to focus on my academic and professional pursuits without worrying about finances. This frees my mind to participate in various committee projects and extracurricular activities.
The scholarship application process was straightforward. The interview was enjoyable as I got to engage with NUS professors who shared my passion for the social sciences.
Endless Opportunities
The NUS Global Merit Scholarship is a bond-free scholarship that covers my tuition fees and allows me to explore other fields without limiting my career options. With the flexibility, I could take up a second major in Social Work to equip myself with skills that align with my future career goals. It also provides an accommodation allowance, enabling me to stay in the College of Alice and Peter Tan (CAPT), which enhances my student experience on campus. Additionally, the scholarship guarantees a Student Exchange Programme (SEP) placement with one of NUS’s overseas partner universities and provides an allowance for the duration of the programme. This opportunity will allow me to explore other global opportunities and delve deeper into Anthropology with other prestigious institutions.
So far, my NUS experience has been challenging and exciting. Apart from adapting to the busy life on campus, I am surrounded by various opportunities to hone my leadership skills and pursue my hobbies. In my first year, I took up the role of Project Director (PD) of Kindle, a project that is part of the CAPT Active Community Engagement (ACE) wing that engages with foster children in Singapore. As the PD, I focused on engaging the ecosystem of stakeholders, honing my leadership abilities. I was also a member of CAPT Kamal, a project that engages with underprivileged students in Bangalore, India. Here, our team planned and executed a two-week summer camp in India, focusing on providing quality education.
With all these activities, whenever I feel tired or overwhelmed, I would go for open dance classes at CAPTinSYNC (CAPT’s dance interest group) to decompress. Overall, the options you can explore at NUS are endless! I am incredibly grateful for the support this scholarship has provided me with.
LIM EN XUE VALERIE
NUS Global Merit Scholarship
Bachelor of Social Sciences, National University of Singapore
Now: Year 1 Undergraduate