During her first tutorial at the University of Oxford, Isa Koh found herself hesitating to speak up.
“I wanted to make sure I had thought things through first,” recalls the Singapore Management University (SMU) student, who spent six weeks in Britain as part of the Exeter College Summer Programme.
By the end of the month, that hesitation had eased. In small, discussion-led classes that encouraged students to participate and engage with one another, Isa realised learning was not about having all the right answers.
“In Singapore, we tend to overthink,” she says. “Being in Oxford changed that for me as the sessions were very open and nurturing. I learnt that it’s when you’re not afraid to share that you learn the most.”
The summer programme was one of multiple overseas learning opportunities she enjoys as a recipient of the SMU Global Impact Scholarship Award.
The 21-year-old is among the inaugural batch of students at the university’s College of Integrative Studies (CIS), which began admission in 2023. Unlike traditional degree programmes with fixed majors, CIS students get to customise their course of study, drawing across disciplines to match their interests and goals alongside core modules.
Initially, Isa was unsure if she was making the right choice by enrolling in a newly established college. Her perspective shifted at a tea session organised by SMU, where conversations with faculty members and current scholars reassured her.
“I didn’t know which field I wanted to work in yet,” she explains. “The flexibility in the early years allowed me to explore different courses and disciplines without the pressure of committing too early.”
Speaking with other SMU scholars also gave her a clearer sense of campus life at SMU. As a Global Impact scholar, she was able to take up on-campus accommodation at SMU Prinsep Street Residences, easing the transition into university life. Living away from home for the first time felt daunting at first, but a welcome gathering helped her connect with other residents while orientation activities introduced her to new friends.
What surprised her was how the scholarship experience went beyond financial support. SMU’s campus culture – through shared living, classes and activities – naturally fostered meaningful connections and a strong sense of community.
“When I am unsure, I remind myself that growth often comes from trying and moving forward.”
– Isa Koh, recipient of the SMU Global Impact Scholarship Award
This spirit of openness carried into her academic experience. As part of the CIS core curriculum, students have the opportunity to take modules that encourage questioning and critical inquiry.
In one module, Modern Challenges, Isa was tasked with analysing real-world issues from different angles and making sound decisions under pressure. She had to draw on those lessons during her time as a team leader for Project Smile Manila, a student-led initiative supported by the SMU Centre for Social Responsibility.
To qualify for funding, her 20-member team was required to arrange visits to a minimum number of local companies in the Philippines.
Organising the visits was not easy, especially as the trip fell close to the Christmas holidays. When one confirmed company pulled out at the last minute, the team risked falling short of the required number of visits – and jeopardising their funding.
Isa quickly reassessed the situation and identified another qualifying visit: a tour of the hotel where they were staying. The move ensured the team met the requirement and kept the project on track.
“Being able to think on my feet and navigate challenges – even at the last minute – was something I didn’t realise I was capable of,” she says.
She credits this growth to her scholarship and CIS experience, which encourage her to question assumptions and approach problems from multiple perspectives, rather than accepting things at face value. “This is a mindset that will stay with me long after I graduate,” she adds.
As she continued to explore her interests, Isa took on internships across a range of industries – in both large organisations and smaller firms – to gain broad exposure. This included a bank and a digital marketing consultancy firm. Working in the firm’s lean team meant taking on greater responsibility, including fronting a pitch to an international firm.
“When I am unsure, I remind myself that growth often comes from trying and moving forward,” she says. “I tell myself to ‘just do it’ and tackle the task head-on.”
This year, Isa is studying in a new environment, having begun a six-month exchange programme at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she is currently taking courses in risk management, finance, economics and business analytics.
Rather than rushing to define a single path, she is learning to embrace uncertainty and remain open to experiences – confident that her ability to think critically, adapt across contexts and keep learning will matter more than having all the answers now.
“I have come to accept that exploration is part of the process,” she says. “And that’s precisely what CIS and SMU allow me to do.”
