Alumna Profile: Rachel Loh

Qualifications

IGCSE, A Levels, Bachelor of Psychology at HELP University.

If you are studying at university, tell us about your course/major and why you chose it.

During my A-Level days at HELP International School, I had the opportunity to work in various teams and volunteer with youth leaders across ASEAN. The people whom I met during these experiences had intrigued me immensely. With that, the decision to study Psychology, the study of the human mind and behaviour, at HELP University came quite naturally.

What is your most memorable experience in school? 

Performing in the annual school play, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as Hippolyta is definitely one of the most memorable experience. Acting had given me a great avenue to recharge after a long day of classes and a wonderful support system to fall back on when the going got tough. Aside from the more creative pursuits, my time as Head Girl and Secretary-General of the HIS Model United Nations Conference has been very fruitful because of the number of students my team and I had been able to empower.

What were your favourite and least favourite subjects in school, and why?

Biology was definitely my favourite. I am fascinated by the intricacies of the human body, nature and how everything manages to fall into place almost perfectly. Physics on the other hand, was not much of my strong suit so I always had to pay extra attention in class!

What extracurricular activities did you do? 

I was very active in the Prefect Board as Head Girl at HELP International School where the team had the opportunity to establish the foundation of the prefectorial board. Aside from that, I was also the Sports team captain for Griffin House, Head Editor of the Yearbook committee and the Secretary-General of the HIS Model United Nations Conference.

Aside from extracurricular activities in school, I was also involved in the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme where I had been selected out of thousands of applicants ASEAN-wide to participate in a volunteering project in Cambodia, focused on Disaster Risk Management and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, I was also privileged to be selected as a part of the Young Southeast Asian Leader’s Initiative (YSEALI), an initiative led by former US President, Mr Barack Obama, that focused on education, environment, community development and democracy.

What was the best thing about your school? What important lessons did you learn in your school that have helped you in your life?

I am always very proud to share about the sense of welcome and family-like community at HELP International School. My teachers and academic leaders have always created a strong support system and a safe space for us to fail and most importantly, to learn from those failures.

It is the supportive environment both at school and at home that has empowered me to constantly grow and develop as a global citizen. Recently, I had the honour of being awarded as the Global Champion of the Maybank Go Ahead Challenge 2017, a 10-day international case study competition, out of 40,000 participants with students from University of Oxford, London School of Economics and the National University of Singapore. I was awarded an internship with Maybank in New York City and a job offer in the Global Maybank Apprentice Program. Aside from the knowledge I have gained from some of the best teachers I know at HIS, I am thankful for my time at HIS for making me who I am today.

If you could travel back in time, what is the one thing that you would change when you were a student? 

Nothing, I have no regrets!

What advice would you give to current students of your alma mater?

“Don’t sweat the small stuff and focus on what matters most.” It is important that we prioritise our time wisely and use it well to reach our goals. Also, get out there, get active and live life in all its fullness! As the saying goes, “If you want something you have never had, you have to be willing to do something you have never done.”