Ira Teh Jiale

Why did you choose to come to SMU? 

My first consideration was how SMU prepares students for the working world. Through interdisciplinary learning and lots of projects, I have definitely honed both interpersonal and professional skills that helps me better transition from school to work. Secondly, the teaching style in SMU closely mirrored the teaching style in IB, where most modules were lessons conducted in classes instead of having large-scale lectures. This teaching style provided a more interactive and personal space to learn, helping me to better absorb the content taught.

What is your favourite hangout spot/place to chill after a long day of classes?

I like to go home and chill, but mainly because I stay relatively close to the SMU campus!

Please share about any community service projects/trips that you have taken part in in SMU, and why those are meaningful to you.

I took part in a remote community service project with an organisation called Global Village for Hope, where I was responsible for designing a dental health intervention for students aged 7 to 12 at a rural school in Kupang, Indonesia. The initiative included components such as dental health education and supervised toothbrushing, aimed at fostering better oral hygiene habits among the students. This experience was especially meaningful to me as it aligned with my passion for healthcare and gave me the opportunity to contribute to a project with the potential to create lasting, positive impact within the community.