Karyn Wang

Final Year Student at Johns Hopkins University

(USA) International Relations

 A framed photograph on the corner of a desk brightens up an otherwise ascetic office. It gives you immediate character insight and offers a visual summary of a person’s priorities. The photograph on my desk is one of Singapore’s Cabinet. In times of hardship or excess, the collage of portraits of the Ministers in our Cabinet spurs me to work harder. It directs my idealism. It is the reservoir of my reflection. But above all, it is my inspiration to enable more Singaporeans to share the unique opportunities that graduate education provides. Studying international relations at the Johns Hopkins University, one of the world’s leading graduate schools, is an unparalleled educational experience.

Graduate education builds on the constellation of experiences from the thirteen years that I spent in India. India’s rich cultural fabric, the depth of its intellect, and the warmth of its people left a lasting impression. It illustrated the worth of an educated community and showed me the extent of their contribution to society in political, security, humanitarian, and economic fields. As a result, I value my education in international relations more keenly, and I am determined to play a role in fostering such a community in Singapore.

I hope to lecture at universities in Singapore and equip young Singaporeans with the knowledge and skills needed to place learning at the service of society. Towards this endeavor, I am profoundly grateful for the support and encouragement extended to me by Professor Saw Swee Hock, Mr. Kesavapany, and organizations such as the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and the Singapore Indian Education Trust. Together, they brokered a ground-breaking cooperative agreement that helped me find a way to attend graduate school despite my family’s economic difficulty. Because of this invaluable assistance, I have enjoyed the privilege and pleasure of graduate school. I am the richer for it and will be able to share this wealth of experience as I take up my role in working for the community, society, and people of Singapore.