University & Germany

The experiences we all endure are different. Similarly, God's grace can tide us through University in various ways.

I studied Chemical Engineering at SIT from 2017-2020.

Basically, University was terrible for me. While studying, I encountered a few challenges and would like to share how God had guided me to overcome them.

HOW SCHOOL WAS LIKE

At SIT, the academic timetable was structured with 2 weeks of lectures and tutorials, 1 week of study break, and then the exam at the end of the study week. This cycle then repeats for all the modules. If you failed an exam or missed it due to medical reasons, you had to take a 2nd attempt, which was rumoured to be more difficult.

Failure on the second attempt meant joining the junior class to retake the exam. A maximum of five attempts was allowed for each module. I had a classmate who failed a module four times and still didn’t pass. I, myself, struggled, failing two modules and only passing on my 2nd and 3rd attempts.

The worst thing is to juggle between revising for these re-sits while keeping up with other ongoing modules. I thank God that I was not alone through this journey of re-sitting for exams, and I am grateful for the support I received during this period. Friends who were in the same situation studied with me. I also thank God for understanding parents who allowed me to focus on my studies without added pressure.

TO GERMANY

My course is a collaboration between SIT and Technical University of Munich (TUM). One of the graduation requirements was to spend either 3 or 6 months studying at TUM in Germany. Between the 2 choices, I opted for the 6-month option, which required a study visa. Unfortunately, I did not receive my visa prior to my departure.

After much struggle, my family and I decided that I should just travel to Germany and hope that it would be ready before I’m forced to return. After about 2 months, I received an email saying that my visa was ready.

So, I travelled back to Singapore, retrieved my visa, and then returned to Germany to continue my studies.

I am thankful for God’s guidance throughout the six months abroad, especially when travelling on the plane or on the train. When unexpected issues arose, I felt calm knowing that God would eventually resolve them.

HOW THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED MOST

Towards the end of 2019, COVID-19 began spreading rapidly. Very quickly, COVID-19 came into Germany and to the city where I was in. Countries one after another started to lock down.

Everyone was afraid and was rushing to return to their home countries. Both our teachers and the Singaporean government sent a message to ask for all Singaporeans to return as soon as possible. Subsequently, my friends and I hastily rescheduled our flights back home. As expected, the airports and flights were in a disarray, and I ended up being stranded at Dubai Airport for a day before finally catching a flight home. I thank God that I completed my studies before returning, avoiding the need for online presentations or mailing a hard copy thesis to Germany.

SUPPORT I AM GRATEFUL FOR

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to my supportive church friends and brethren for their prayers and well-wishes. My school friends also helped me navigate difficulties, especially with my study visa. Attending church services in Austria and Germany felt like home, providing solace and support. These were just pure blessings that I could not have asked for. I have come to appreciate these blessings deeply and recognise how I had taken for granted such services in Singapore.