Mapping the College Journey: Alumni Share Experiences Abroad
Five MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) alumni returned to campus last July 20, inspiring Grades 10 to 12 students through their college experiences and insights on pursuing higher education abroad.
Among the speakers was Jaye Brianna Yap of Batch 16, who studied Information Systems with a dual track in Business Analytics and Digitalisation and Cloud Solutions at Singapore Management University. Yap emphasized how studying abroad helped her develop independence, sociocultural awareness, and self-advocacy through meeting people from different cultural backgrounds.
Meanwhile, Caitlyn Mae Cu of Batch 17 completed an exchange program in Industrial Design at the National University of Singapore (NUS) through Ateneo de Manila University’s Junior Term Abroad program. Now pursuing a Master of Design in Integrated Design at NUS as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations Master's Scholar, Cu offered a different perspective, showing that students can pursue their undergraduate studies locally before studying abroad for higher education. She also advised students to plan for college by developing connections that align with their future goals.
Following this, Chelsea Heather Murillo of Batch 18, a University of Oregon graduate with a double major in Environmental Science and Geospatial Sciences, a minor in Environmental Engineering, and a graduate certificate in Geospatial Technologies, is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy at Rice University in Texas, United States. Murillo guided students through a college preparation timeline from Grades 10 to 12, highlighting what they should focus on each year. She stressed the importance of making informed choices, advising students to consider a university’s strengths in their desired program rather than focusing solely on rankings.
Lastly, Janelle Dominique Lim of Batch 21, a second-year Psychology student at the University of Hong Kong, reflected on the adjustments she faced after moving away from home, which included adapting to new routines, new environments, and occasional homesickness. She encouraged students to embrace uncertainty, affirming them that, while not everything will go as planned, thorough preparation and patience can help navigate the transition.
The program concluded with an open forum, where the alumni answered students’ questions on topics ranging from college application preparation to adapting to cultural differences. Former Batch 21 student Alexa Rae Tan, who is currently taking up Honors Mathematics, Economics, and Legal Studies at Northwestern University in Illinois, United States, also joined the panel of alumni presenters to share her insights. Tan advised students to approach application essays as opportunities to showcase not only their achievements, but also the experiences, values, and personal qualities that define them beyond their academic accomplishments. Tan also commended MGCNLCA for preparing its students well for the demands of academic life abroad, noting that one does need to attend an international IB school to succeed overseas.
Olive student Arianne Kate Hernandez admitted that hearing firsthand experiences from the alumni helped her consider different factors when deciding whether to pursue education overseas. “I have always been unsure about whether to study abroad, considering factors such as being apart from family and friends. [Yet] through this seminar, I was able to explore [how going] abroad [can] shape [someone],” shared Hernandez.
