Erin Suriawinata (Class of 2019)
Reading Biomedical Sciences at King’s College London
Hi Erin! Can you share with us your experiences at university so far?
University has been great so far. Everyone here is really open to making new friends and connections for the future. King’s College London really allows me to be sociable, but at the same time be in an environment where I am able to concentrate on my studies and excel at them.
At first, it was really overwhelming. The many opportunities to socialise really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and meeting my professors – all well-established academics – could only be described as daunting. However, each and every one of them were just so knowledgeable, and the contents of their presentations were consistently very engaging.
Already, I’ve joined societies such as the Malaysian Society and ABACUS so I feel more at home. In fact, I’ve been amazed at the many common interest societies that students can join, and feel grateful for the amount of friends I’ve made here in such a short period of time! Being homesick is a normal feeling, but thankfully video-calling technology means that my family’s voice is just one click away.
How did GIS prepared you up for University life?
GIS has always been prepared to equip every student that they teach for the future – including for daunting milestones such as going to university!
I was at GIS for 12 years and the amount of attention and care they pay to each and every student is irreplaceable; their intense focus on student wellbeing is another key reason why the school is so special. The teachers are amongst the best in the world; they not only excel at their chosen subjects, but also are so approachable and connected to each and every student. They made us feel like going to school wasn’t a chore, but rather a stepping stone that would make us a better candidate for opportunities in the future.
I have such great respect for my peers, teachers and acquaintances that I met during my time there. The school really did help me pave the path to where I am now, and built up my confidence and social skills. I’m eternally grateful for my time at GIS, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!