Joo Yeonwoo

Why did you choose to come to SMU?

Having studied the IB programme in high school, I had always hoped to pursue my university education overseas. Among the countries I considered, Singapore was my top choice because of its international environment and strong position as a business hub in Asia. As I was interested in pursuing a business-related field, I was particularly drawn to SMU, as its curriculum, interactive learning environment, and strong graduate and career outcomes stood out to me among the universities I explored in Singapore. I felt that SMU would give me both a solid academic foundation and practical exposure beyond the classroom, so when I received my offer, it was a very natural choice for me to join SMU.

Please share with us your most recent or your favourite global experience

One of my most memorable global experiences at SMU was Project Cloud Nine (PCN) 9.0, an overseas community service project under the School of Economics. Our team travelled to Tra Vinh, Vietnam, where we worked with a local primary school and conducted lessons and activities for the children. I served as the Programme Director and led a team of nine members in planning and preparing the lesson programmes before the trip. During the project itself, I was also responsible for overseeing the overall curriculum and making sure our plans were carried out smoothly. It was a meaningful opportunity for me to develop my leadership, communication, and planning skills while adapting to situations in a completely new environment. Beyond the project itself, I learned a great deal from experiencing a different culture, trying local food, and interacting with our local partner organization and community. I was also the only international student in my team, and spending so much time working and travelling together helped me become much closer to my Singaporean teammates. Interestingly, an overseas experience also made me feel more connected to Singapore and to the community I had built at SMU. It was both a valuable learning experience and one of my fondest memories from university so far.

What advice would you give to prospective students (especially your juniors from high school) who are thinking of applying to SMU?

For students considering SMU, especially international students, I would first ask yourself whether you are excited by the idea of not only studying in Singapore, but also actually building a life here.

Singapore has given me the chance to meet people from very different cultural backgrounds, experience a truly international environment, and gain exposure to opportunities across Asia.

If you do come to SMU, my biggest advice is to be proactive. A lot of the most valuable parts of my university experience came from things I chose to pursue outside the classroom, joining student organizations and clubs, taking part in overseas programmes, meeting seniors and alumni, attending career events, and simply putting myself in unfamiliar situations. You do not need to have everything figured out when you enter university. I certainly did not. But if you stay curious, keep trying new things, and make full use of the opportunities around you, SMU can become a place where you learn a lot about both your future career and yourself.

Personally, I am glad that I chose SMU because it has given me so many opportunities to explore, grow, and meet people I would not have encountered otherwise. For students who are looking for an active and opportunity-rich university experience, I would definitely recommend SMU and warmly welcome them to consider joining the community.