Singaporean Student Woes

I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I've always been grateful for the upper-middle class lifestyle that I grew up with. Sure, we don't live in luxury, but we are comfortable and are able to enjoy annual holidays and the occasional splurges on retail. Being born in Singapore is indeed a blessing for many of us; we receive a world class education (though it has its pros and cons), live in a clean city, and for the most part, live at least comfortably.

What makes me lamentful is not only the existing divide between the upper class and middle class people, but also the divide between students from SEA developing countries and students from Singapore. In Singapore, you would most likely be able to go through the motions of primary school, secondary school, pre-university/polytechnic, and then university, with more or less ease as long as you're an average or above average student. As long as you come from a household with more or less average income, you'll be okay. Sure, you'll garner debts along the way, but that's not too bad. The tide turns however, if you're interested in pursuing an education (higher or otherwise) overseas. The reality is that generally, most kids from middle-income families would be unable to shell out the expenses for overseas education - not without huge sacrifices at personal expense.

That's where the divide comes. The rich of course, has no problems (and I'm not whining about that, it's great that you have the funds - use it as you will). The middle-income Singaporeans may find it a little bit more difficult. This is where scholarhips come into place; very often, they are the "only hope" for an education overseas. It is widely known that in Singapore, to get a scholarship, you have to be the cream of the crop.

I am from a middle-income family, and am of average academic competence (by Singaporean standards). At the age of 22 and a half, I have already incurred an academic debt of almost $31 000 SGD, upon graduation, I would've chalked up an even larger amount.

There are a couple of choices available for one like me after graduation:
- Get a job as a fresh grad
- Further studies
- Gap year (travelling or working overseas)

This list is not exhaustive and the separate points themselves do lead to a myriad of options, but from a general point of view, option 2 and option 3 are almost impossible simply due to the debt I owe. Tuition fees for further education cost between $40 000 - $100 000, ditto for travelling without funds. If one is insistent on taking on further studies (as am I), it is an uphill battle to apply for scholarships, awards, and any possible grants that could aid one in "surviving" the course financially.

Even if one recieves a local scholarship, it usually comes with a bond of 4-5 years. This is something rather unique to Singapore, wherein scholarships come with comparatively long bond durations. If one hopes to benefit from bond-free scholarships, one must look to other countries for such opportunities. It is then when you realise that many developed countries offer attractive sponsorships and scholarships for students of developing countries, but much less for students of developed countries.

This is where we lose out. If you are like me, an average students from a typical middle-class background, your options are limited. I'm not saying that we are entitled to anything more, I do not expect to be handed money and education for free. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have and the excellent education that I've received thus far, I just wish I had the resources to do so much more.

I think we live in a culture where there is only yourself to blame if you do not "make it". I guess I could say I have myself to blame for not being a top student who would be immediately eligible for a number of prestigious scholarships. Despite my gripes about the income/opportunity divide, I believe that we have to make do the best we can, with what we have. Next year, I will begin my rounds of postgraduate and scholarship applications, I can only hope for the best. I pray that my application shines despite the hundreds and thousands of other glowing write ups and resumes. I don't hope to "make it", I just hope to be able get an opportunity to the education that I've been working so hard to achieve.

I can only hope that my education debt will not burden me far into my "adult" life, I hope for the best.