[Photo: Serene Lim Si Ling, Ms Tseng Xin Ying, and Mr Wong Keng Hoe.]

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

'My host buddy, whom I stayed with in Ningbo for a month, had to study from 6am to 9pm. I was shocked at how much they drill their students over there. I understand now why our China classmates are so hard-working - it's the way they were brought up. I really look up to them in terms of their self-discipline and their drive to study.'

Ms Choo Wen Rui, who is studying biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine at Nanyang Technological University

AN OPEN HEART

'I enjoyed the exposure to different cultures in China and the United States, and this definitely allowed me to embrace diversity with an open heart... Learning in Chinese universities is not just about studying, but also interacting with the locals and the international community in the school to improve your interpersonal skills and build up a network of contacts.'

Ms Serene Lim Si Ling, who is studying Chinese language and literature at Fudan University

Related links: » Primed to bridge East and West » Controversy over idea of bicultural elite

HUNGRY TO LEARN

'We sat in for this maths lesson where the class was clearly oversized, about 50 students to a teacher. Yet the students didn't seem disinterested and had this real hunger to improve, asking their teacher questions throughout the entire lesson. This made me realise just how much we sometimes take our education for granted.'

Mr Wong Keng Hoe, who is studying economics at the University of Chicago on a Singapore Police Force scholarship

CHINA CALLING

'The immersion trips to China left a deep impression on me and I decided to study there. I realised that China is developing fast and is an exciting place to be in.'

Ms Tseng Xin Ying, who is studying Chinese language and literature and international relations at Beijing University on a Public Service Commission scholarship

FAST FRIENDS

'I still keep in touch with my Chinese friends through the Internet. I learnt recently over MSN that one of them is now studying Spanish at Qinghua University and wants to work for a multinational company.'

Mr Branden Seow Zi Xuan, who is studying medicine at the National University of Singapore

SOCIAL SMARTS

'The BSP prepared me for an overseas education by deepening my appreciation and awareness of culture. I also better understand society and how it functions.'

Ms Tan Mei Hui, who is studying at the Royal College of Music in London on an Education Ministry scholarship

CULTURAL SKILLS

'Bicultural perspectives will help in my future career as a Chinese teacher. Specialising in one language is not enough, and I will need to understand Western culture and communicate in English. The world is also becoming more diverse, and I can prepare my students better by giving them skills to operate in two cultural environments.'

Ms Chew Geok Joo, who is majoring in Chinese studies at the National University of Singapore on an Education Ministry scholarship