Ups and downs of studying overseas

She Jia: Whenever you feel that you’re on your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school or college counsellor, friends, or even acquaintances.

ALLOW me to share the upsides and downsides of studying abroad, based on my experience and observations. One major benefit is newfound freedom and independence. When I first came to Singapore at the age of 15, I was given free rein to use the public transportation on my own, which enabled me to travel virtually anywhere within the Lion City.

It amazed me, and within two months, I purchased an annual Universal Studios pass and visited the theme park 13 times. Even today, the novelty of this liberation has not fully worn off.