5 ways how SMU made “A Different Me”

Hello there!

We are Chinkita (BSc, 2018) and Amanda (BBM, 2018). We met while being groupmates in a business module, coincidentally were part of the same internship program, and have since remained good friends. While reminiscing on our undergraduate days over one of our dinner catch ups (it has been 2 years since graduation), we decided to come up with this journal of how SMU transformed us to be the “different me” that you see today.

 As alums, below are 5 ways how SMU has reshaped us!

 1.    The Empirical Curriculum:

Reflecting back, the modules that we have undertaken in SMU always gave a flavour of the real world. From knowledge passed on from case studies to opportunities for practical application beyond the classroom, the curriculum was pragmatic.

10-20% - Class participation

30-40% - Project group work

40-60% - Individual effort

Ask anyone on what they recall from their SMU experience and 8/10 would say “class participation”. SMU trains us to be vocal and to share our thought process. We entered as freshmen who were introverted and shy, but through the years have grown to embrace having a voice. All in all, each module is structured to be meaningful in the way where it holistically challenges us in both the IQ and EQ.

?The project group that we met in 2017

2.    Valuable Soft Skills:

Soft skills were something harnessed both inside and outside of the seminar rooms.

Every module has a project. Working in a group comprising of different individuals becomes a unique experience as we got exposure to diverse opinions and opportunities for collaboration. You will be surprised at the quality and content being presented, as the sharing creates constructive tension within the classrooms. Personally we have even stayed overnight to practice and rehearse. Cue: young, wild and free.

Diversity is also embraced on campus, and can even simulate networking opportunities. If you were to trace the footprint of the SMU community, it would be global. Individuals literally come from all walks of life - varying nationality, culture and age, all interacting within a 4.5 hectare space.

Meeting new friends at Welfare drives

3.    Exposure Through Internships:

SMU makes it mandatory for every undergraduate to take up at least 1 internship experience (although most end up doing 3-4). Internships are an amazing platform to learn more about the various industries and job roles, so we can make a more informed decision on what to pursue upon graduation. We are encouraged and have the avenue to explore internships from startups to MNCs (both of us are living examples of this).

Our Internship Experience at Microsoft

4.    … and Other Forms:

Student Exchange:

SMU has more than 100 partner universities where you can choose to study for 1 or more semesters (both local and overseas). Both of us opted to do an exchange miles away from Singapore in the USA and Canada, and experienced snow for the first time. This made us get out of our comfort zone, experience a different culture and education, all while embracing independence and wanderlust. The grades were also pass / fail so we challenged ourselves with modules we wouldn’t usually take in SMU (eg French and International Entrepreneurship).

Lake Louise, Canada

Competitions:

Unfortunately we aren’t gifted with inclinations in the arts or sports, so we’re talking about things like case competitions. We had the opportunity to compete with other students on a global and local scale, and it definitely fills us with pride in being able to represent SMU on these platforms.

Asian Student Venture Forum, Korea 2015

Community Service:

Before graduation, we also had to complete at least 80 hours of community service (although most students on average do more). This was an incredible way to give back to society and create a difference in the world, all while pimping our resume.

 5.    The Forever Friends:

Misty Copeland once said, “Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you”.

 It is inevitable to have phases of highs and lows through our 4 years in SMU, and we’re grateful to each individual who had shared these moments with us. Despite the constant pressure and self doubt of “Is my GPA good enough?” “Will I be able to fit in? “Would we be able to survive in the corporate world?”, we think that it’s ultimately great to have close friends who would kick these monsters away.

 To the friends that we have met while on this journey, I hope you’re doing well and maybe we’ll cross paths again in the working world! Till then, may we never stop growing and challenging ourselves everyday.