of Margaret Wong – An International Student

Margaret Wong, a 19-year-old Mandarin-speaking Malaysian, came to Singapore to study in late March 2022.

What brought you to Singapore?

A senior in Red Crescent (what Red Cross is known as in her country) came to Singapore to take up nursing and after speaking with her, I applied for a nursing scholarship offered by the school to international students though I wasn’t sure if I would get it. Thank God I got it, so here I am!

How has your experience been?

When I first arrived, I was very excited. Everything was new and I was away from home on my own for the first time. However, when school started, I spent most of my time in the hostel alone. I was too lazy to go out and did not speak the same language as my room mates. Also, being cooped up in my room and sleeping on the lower deck of a double decker bed in a dim area sometimes made me very sad. I thought things would improve when I went to a local church but I had problem fitting in. It was a bilingual service, but everyone was more conversant in English.

That Sounds tough. Did the situation improve?

In November 2022, a Christian friend introduced me to another Christian friend. Both of them would go out every Monday night, so I became curious. They told me they were attending the International Students Christian Fellowship (ISCF) organised by Singapore Youth for Christ and asked if I was interested to go. I said, “Yes!”

This was when things started to look up. Back home, I always wanted to join the other youths in my church, but I was older and most were in their cliques. Furthermore, I was serving in Sunday school and the Girls’ Brigade. After joining ISCF, I realised I had missed out on Bible truths taught in greater depth and friendship with Christian peers when I did not join the youth ministry in my home church.

After one year, do you see growth in your walk with God?

Other than knowing God more from His Word, I’m serving God. Recently, Jolynn (International Ministry staff) challenged me to start a nursing fellowship online. Last December, I joined other international students to share the Christmas story at Orchard Road. Although I’m busier, I’m happy doing what I can to serve God.

What could we do to support international students to better adjust in Singapore?

Encountering difficulties and problems with no one (it seems) to help or listen to us is a terrible feeling. It will be good if there is more initiative to reach out and befriend foreign students.