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http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,210342,00.html?
SMa offers her best of both worlds
Homesick student finds Australian academic system right here in Singapore
August 14, 2009
After studying in Australia for a year, Miss Jacqueline Quek, 19, became homesick and returned to Singapore to continue her studies at SMa School of Management.
SHE did well enough for her O Levels to go to a junior college or polytechnic.
But the former Singapore Chinese Girls' School student decided to enrol in the SMa School of Management (SMa-SOM) - after a one-year detour to study in Australia.
Miss Jacqueline Quek, 19, is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Administration (Marketing) at SMa-SOM.
She said: 'I wanted to go to a junior college or polytechnic after my O Levels.
'But my dad suggested I go overseas to study to gain exposure and experience something different.'
Miss Quek decided to take her father up on his offer. She left for Sydney, Australia, where she enrolled in a one-year Foundation Course in Commerce in preparation for an undergraduate programme.
But she soon 'grew homesick'.
She recalled: 'Academically, I liked the Australian system.
'But I missed my family and friends so much, I would return home even if it was only for a one-week break.'
After she completed the Foundation Course, her parents agreed to let her continue her studies in Singapore.
Miss Quek said she enrolled in SMa-SOM at the recommendation of a former private tutor, who had taught her while she was in secondary school.
She added: 'I didn't really want to return to the traditional Singapore school system, having experienced Australia's, which I find less pressurising.
'The other thing is that the diploma is equivalent to the first year of Murdoch University's Bachelor of Commerce degree programme, which SMa-SOM offers.
'So after completing the diploma, I'll be eligible for direct admission to the second year of the degree programme.'
She said she chose the Marketing specialisation as she does not see herself in a desk-bound job that would mean 'being cooped up in the office all day'.
The other specialisations available are Management, Human Resource Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Accounting and Finance, and Banking and Finance.
These specialisations are also offered to students pursuing the Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Miss Quek was exempted from four diploma modules because of the Foundation Course she took in Australia.
She expects to complete the diploma course, which consists of three school terms a year, by January next year.
BALANCE
Classes are held at the SMa-SOM City Campus along North Bridge Road from Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 12pm and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Miss Quek is one of the youngest in her classes, which usually host 20 to 30 students.
The diploma course offers a good balance of marketing concepts and theories, and practical suggestions and tools for practice from marketing professionals.
Students are not required to have prior knowledge of business and marketing subjects although any experience in sales or marketing will be an advantage.
Miss Quek said she found Principles of Accounting to be the easiest of all the modules she has taken as she has always been 'good with numbers'.
But she noted: 'It is not always about doing straightforward calculations.
'Questions can sometimes be phrased in such a way that it is not clear immediately what accounts you need to work with to answer the question.'
With a grin, she added: 'When I encounter any difficulties, I can ask my accountant dad for help.'
A module that has proven to be more of a challenge for her is Introduction to Commercial Law.
She explained: 'The module covers topics like copyrights and patents. It requires me to memorise a lot of past cases and their outcomes.'
Miss Quek is now working on a group project for one of her elective modules, Marketing Research and Information.
Students have to assess how people react to the customer service of a company by surveying its customers.
Based on the survey findings, the group will then suggest ways to improve the company's customer service.
Students are assessed by assignments and projects as well as examinations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIND OUT MORE
WHAT
JobsCentral Career & Learning Fair 2009
WHEN
22 to 23 Aug 2009
WHERE
Booth V1 and V2, Hall 404, Suntec City Exhibition Centre
ENQUIRIES
Call 6622 6622 or visit www.sma.edu.sg
SMa offers her best of both worlds
Homesick student finds Australian academic system right here in Singapore
August 14, 2009
After studying in Australia for a year, Miss Jacqueline Quek, 19, became homesick and returned to Singapore to continue her studies at SMa School of Management.
SHE did well enough for her O Levels to go to a junior college or polytechnic.
But the former Singapore Chinese Girls' School student decided to enrol in the SMa School of Management (SMa-SOM) - after a one-year detour to study in Australia.
Miss Jacqueline Quek, 19, is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Administration (Marketing) at SMa-SOM.
She said: 'I wanted to go to a junior college or polytechnic after my O Levels.
'But my dad suggested I go overseas to study to gain exposure and experience something different.'
Miss Quek decided to take her father up on his offer. She left for Sydney, Australia, where she enrolled in a one-year Foundation Course in Commerce in preparation for an undergraduate programme.
But she soon 'grew homesick'.
She recalled: 'Academically, I liked the Australian system.
'But I missed my family and friends so much, I would return home even if it was only for a one-week break.'
After she completed the Foundation Course, her parents agreed to let her continue her studies in Singapore.
Miss Quek said she enrolled in SMa-SOM at the recommendation of a former private tutor, who had taught her while she was in secondary school.
She added: 'I didn't really want to return to the traditional Singapore school system, having experienced Australia's, which I find less pressurising.
'The other thing is that the diploma is equivalent to the first year of Murdoch University's Bachelor of Commerce degree programme, which SMa-SOM offers.
'So after completing the diploma, I'll be eligible for direct admission to the second year of the degree programme.'
She said she chose the Marketing specialisation as she does not see herself in a desk-bound job that would mean 'being cooped up in the office all day'.
The other specialisations available are Management, Human Resource Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Accounting and Finance, and Banking and Finance.
These specialisations are also offered to students pursuing the Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Miss Quek was exempted from four diploma modules because of the Foundation Course she took in Australia.
She expects to complete the diploma course, which consists of three school terms a year, by January next year.
BALANCE
Classes are held at the SMa-SOM City Campus along North Bridge Road from Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 12pm and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Miss Quek is one of the youngest in her classes, which usually host 20 to 30 students.
The diploma course offers a good balance of marketing concepts and theories, and practical suggestions and tools for practice from marketing professionals.
Students are not required to have prior knowledge of business and marketing subjects although any experience in sales or marketing will be an advantage.
Miss Quek said she found Principles of Accounting to be the easiest of all the modules she has taken as she has always been 'good with numbers'.
But she noted: 'It is not always about doing straightforward calculations.
'Questions can sometimes be phrased in such a way that it is not clear immediately what accounts you need to work with to answer the question.'
With a grin, she added: 'When I encounter any difficulties, I can ask my accountant dad for help.'
A module that has proven to be more of a challenge for her is Introduction to Commercial Law.
She explained: 'The module covers topics like copyrights and patents. It requires me to memorise a lot of past cases and their outcomes.'
Miss Quek is now working on a group project for one of her elective modules, Marketing Research and Information.
Students have to assess how people react to the customer service of a company by surveying its customers.
Based on the survey findings, the group will then suggest ways to improve the company's customer service.
Students are assessed by assignments and projects as well as examinations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIND OUT MORE
WHAT
JobsCentral Career & Learning Fair 2009
WHEN
22 to 23 Aug 2009
WHERE
Booth V1 and V2, Hall 404, Suntec City Exhibition Centre
ENQUIRIES
Call 6622 6622 or visit www.sma.edu.sg
