Sharing their campus life online

THEY are both 20-year-old undergraduates from SIM Global Education (GE).

And they are one of a kind at SIM Global.

The students featured above, Miss Avantika Pandey and Miss Pearlynne Chong, are two of a group of 13 Student Bloggers, a unique initiative by the university.

These student bloggers share their campus life at SIM at www.simge.edu.sg/blogs. Their main purpose is to help SIM connect better with its students.

Student bloggers blog about anything from school events and current affairs to good music and food.

In a recent post, Miss Chong, a second-year student from University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, who is doing a double major in psychology and communications, blogged about the fine differences between hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

Any SIM GE student can volunteer to be a student blogger, but will have to go through a selection process. Prospective candidates are chosen for their interpersonal skills as well as their knowledge and passion for SIM's campus culture.

Indian national Miss Pandey, who is in her second year of her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in International Business course at the University of Birmingham, shared what she wants to convey to readers through her blog.

"I tell them how fun and exciting my life is in Singapore and SIM," said Miss Pandey.

"I also share my experience as an international student and how potential students can overcome small hurdles in SIM."

In her latest post, Miss Pandey blogged about the 'iDo.the.WRITing.thING.' writing contest, which aims to promote Singapore as an education hub for prospective international students.

Miss Chong, a Singaporean, added: "I love to blog and share my experiences on a personal level as well as life at SIM with others.

"In my previous term, my blog posts were about my travel experiences because I travelled a lot before entering SIM GE.

"Now my blog posts are about school life, the latest school events and other happenings. SIM Student Bloggers are given the freedom to blog on any topics theywant to cover."

SIM GE boasts a mix of international students from over 40 different countries. They form 15 per cent of the university's entire population. Miss Chong said the student population in SIM GE is an eclectic one.

"I think of it as a biscuit tin - you get every flavour and it just tastes good. You get overseas students from everywhere, so cultural exchange actually takes place on campus,'' she said.

Miss Chong and Miss Pandey will play a big role as Student Ambassadors at this year's second Open House on Sept 24.

Reflecting on the last SIM Open House which was held in March, Miss Chong said: "It was full of people, everyone listened to the academic advisers to get a gist of what each programme would be like.

"Within the atrium itself, there were different sections dedicated to different universities so people could ask about the schools and the programmes they offered."

Miss Pandey added: "There were briefings on every university during the Open House. They gave prospective students a lot of crucial information that they were looking for to take the next step."

The second Open House promises to be a fulfilling day for students wanting to further their studies. Visitors will again get a chance to speak to the students, alumni and academics from SIM GE.

SIM GE will be showcasing its new Diploma in Accounting programme, created for those interested in pursuing an accounting career.

There will also be a special programme called the SIM Breakfast Network, which is organised for workingadults interested in carrying out undergraduate studies.

Campus tours, live student performances, a student-organised bazaar and even a bouldering wall-climbing competition called Vertigo have been planned for the second Open House.

Miss Pandey, who will be helping with queries at the University of Birmingham booth, said: "People can come to clear their doubts and enjoy themselves at the same time. I'm really excited about it myself.

This article was first published in The New Paper.