Advanced Studies Advisors

IF you would like a different educational experience after your O levels, an overseas college education may just be the thing for you.

So says Mr Alex Lee, 43, from Advanced Studies Advisors (ASA), who has been in the overseas educational services for over 20 years.

"While universities here remain the most popular choice, many students from Singapore do go overseas to pursue their college education," he said.

In the last year, a few hundred students from Singapore chose to go abroad after getting their O-level results.

Stressed

Mr Lee said that one of the major reasons students head overseas for their college education could be due to the less stressful academic life.

"School life in Singapore is choc-a-block with a dozen different things squeezed in daily.

"While some students love it, others don't. They get too stressed.

"An overseas college education is better in that sense because there is a lot less pressure."

Denise Chern, 20, who attended the Taylor College in Australia for her A levels, agrees.

"In Singapore, my studies were taking up a lot of my time and I couldn't spend too much time on sports and things that I really liked.

"In overseas colleges, the routine is more relaxed and there are many social events like dances and dinners to take the pressure off studies.

"I also had time to take up sports like swimming, which I enjoy," she said.

Mr Lee added that overseas colleges are more vocational because students have several hands-on projects, and they do not need to study till late at night to complete their homework.

Of course, the experience also counts.

"Going overseas provides a new experience for the students as they get to see a new country. It also makes them more independent earlier in life," said Mr Lee.

For Denise, she enjoyed meeting new people.

"In overseas colleges you meet a wide variety of people, not just locals, but also students from other countries. Cross-cultural interaction was a new experience for me," she said.

She also enjoyed the various social events in college.

"Which girl doesn't like dressing up, putting on makeup, going out with friends and meeting guys?"

But is 16 or 17 too young an age to be separated from the family?

Go solo

Mr Lee said overseas colleges cater to the needs of young international students with convenient lodging, housekeeping services, and counselling facilities.

He also said ASA organises face-to-face meetings with the students to ensure that they are mentally and emotionally prepared to go solo.

"Only when we gauge that the student is prepared for an overseas education do we recommend him or her to go abroad," he said.

While academic transcripts matter, Mr Lee feels that motivation and interest are most important.

He explained: "Only when students are interested and motivated can they face the challenges and do well on their own."

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