PSB Academy

WHAT do Singaporeans Gabriel Oh and Michelle Wong have in common with award-winning Hollywood director Steven Spielberg and comedian Steve Martin?

They all have the same alma mater: The California State University, Long Beach.

Gabriel, 20, graduated in May last year from the PSB Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a major in International Business.

Michelle, 19, is a second-year business administration student at the PSB Academy.

The full-time four-year programme, with the degree given by the California university, offers modules in accounting, international finance, marketing, and business statistics. The cohort is small, with about 30new students per year.

Said Gabriel, who is now in National Service: "When deciding which school to go to after my O levels, I considered various factors such as school accreditation, reputation and quality of the school's programmes.

"At the start, I was worried about whether the school and degree were recognised, but after much research, I was certain the course was the right choice."

By 19, he was in the final year of his degree programme, ahead of his peers who had taken the traditional routes via polytechnics or junior colleges.

It was one of the reasons Gabriel chose to go private.

He said: "I saved three to four years of study time, and yet got the exact same degree as those who are enrolled in the US campus.

"The study schedule is very efficient and effective. Lecturers from the US campus fly all the way here to conduct lectures."

Both Gabriel and Michelle have made friends from all over the world.

She said: "There are also foreign students at the academy. I learnt more about their cultures and religions.

"I used to be really shy, but studying in a class with students of different races improved my communication skills."

Gabriel said he befriended students from China, Russia, Italy, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos, among others.

Because of the school's diverse student population, PSB was invited to give a presentation in Qingdao, China, earlier this year to the organising committee of the 2008 Olympics for sailing.

Gabriel was part of the team that went to Qingdao to help familiarise the locals with cultural diversity and understanding.

The school also gave him a chance to develop his leadership abilities. He was president of PSB's student council.

Said Gabriel: "The various activities gave me opportunities to shape my leadership skills and, at the same time, gain new friendships and travel to places I would not have been able to if not for PSB's strong foreign relationships."

The casual and friendly campus environment has made learning easier.

Said Michelle: "The lecturers are willing to stay back after class and attend to our questions."

The American degree programme consists of 39 modules.

Benefits

Each academic year ismade up of three terms with three to six courses taught per term by either university faculty from the US or locally-appointed lecturers.

One major benefit, especially for O level holders, is that they can graduate and enter the work force earlier than their peers, as the degree programme here is accelerated.

So a typical four-year programme can be completed in about 31/2 years. Students have the option of completing their studies in Singapore, or transferring to the US.

Said Michelle: "PSB offers courses that are linked to top-ranking universities from the USA and UK.

"There is a variety of diplomas and degrees available, ranging from business and information technology, to engineering, and Life and Physical Sciences."