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In the Heart of the Hall: International Students’ Stories

At Eusoff Hall, we believe that the heart of our community lies in its diversity. Our international students bring rich cultures, perspectives, and stories that enrich the experience for everyone living here. From different corners of the globe, they have come to call our hall their home, and now it’s time to celebrate their journeys, passions, and contributions to our vibrant community.

In this special feature, we’ll introduce you to some of our international students. From their cultures to their personal stories, you will get a glimpse of what makes them special. We hope you will be inspired by the diversity and talent that they bring to our hall!

Hi all, I am Ashley Tan, a Year 3 Psychology student from Malaysia, and my journey at Eusoff Hall has been nothing short of exciting. I chose Eusoff because it is the nearest hall to my faculty (FASS), but I stayed for the incredible community that’s so friendly and accepting. I have been actively involved in the hall’s performing arts scene—I am currently the performing arts director, and I have also been a cast member and stage manager for the Eusoff Hall drama-dance productions. I was even the ex-head of Eusoff Drama!

Balancing academics with my many commitments to hall CCAs has been challenging at times. I have often wondered if I made the right choice, but looking back, I have never regretted getting involved. The experiences I have had here have shaped me into who I am today. One key lesson I have learned is to space myself out, stay organized, and keep track of all my deadlines—trust me, that’s been a game changer.

What I enjoy most about living in hall are the late-night heart-to-hearts and those random dinner sessions that somehow turn into 4-hour chats. And, of course, the chaotic moments backstage during performances—those are the memories I’ll never forget!

Ashley Tan, Year 3 Psychology Major, Malaysia
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I am Sanjana, a first-year Business student from India, and I’ve had an amazing time so far at Eusoff Hall. I’m involved in a variety of activities—I'm part of the DDP cast, as well as the Drama, Football, and APT CCAs. What drew me to Eusoff in the first place was its super vibey atmosphere, along with the strong culture and sports scene that really clicked with me.One of the key things that keeps me on track is my calendar—it’s honestly my lifeline! I schedule everything the night before, which helps me stay organized and on top of my deadlines. It’s not easy juggling everything, but I’ve learned to make it work.
If I had to pick my favourite hall memory, it would definitely be Cult Night. Performing in a play was an absolute blast, and it was so cool to see all the talent on display. Furthermore, having my friends there to support me made it even more special. It’s moments like these that make my time at Eusoff Hall unforgettable!

(Sanjana at the center of the photograph, surrounded by her friends)

Sanjana Sindiri, Year 1 Business Major, India
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I’m a Year 3 Mechanical Engineering student from Malaysia, and my time at Eusoff Hall has been an incredible journey so far. To be honest, I first chose Eusoff after hearing about it from a Malaysian YouTuber, but I’ve stayed because of the amazing community and opportunities here. I’m involved in basketball, drama, and handball, and balancing all these activities with my academics can be a challenge. I stay on top of everything by setting up a weekly timetable—while hall life can get really busy, academics will always be my priority.

One of the highlights of my time here has been participating in IHG (Inter-Hall Games). It’s been an unforgettable experience for all three years, and it’s really where the Eusoffian spirit shines through. Competing alongside my fellow Eusoffians, with all the energy and teamwork, has truly been one of the most memorable parts of my hall life.

Chester Ng Xu Yang, Year 3 Mechanical Engineering Major, Malaysia

I’m a Year 2 Life Sciences student from India, and I chose Eusoff Hall because I’ve always wanted a holistic university experience. I believe in developing skills that go beyond the classroom, and Eusoff provides the perfect balance of sports, cultural CCAs, and community service. I’m currently the Vice-Captain of the Road Relay team and also a dancer in DP, both of which have been great ways to grow and connect with others.To manage everything, I try to stay consistent. I set fixed times for my training sessions and practices, but I also make sure to stay flexible by reassessing my priorities each week. One of my most memorable moments in hall has to be when Mrs. Rungnapa from my block, RF, gave me a token of good luck during our Chinese New Year celebration. It was a small gesture, but it really showed the sense of warmth and support within the Eusoff community.

(Umaymah 2nd Row from right, surrounded by her friends)

 

Umaymah Chikani, Year 2 Life Science Major, India
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Hello all, I'm Nguyen Van Hai Dang, and I’m a Year 3 student majoring in English for Science and Technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. I am an exchange student.  I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Eusoff Dance Crew (EDC), where I’ve loved every moment of dancing with such talented members. Performing at Culture Night has been one of my favorite experiences, and it’s always exciting to showcase the result of months of hard work!

Choosing Eusoff Hall wasn’t an easy decision. I did a lot of research on all seven NUS Halls of Residence, but Eusoff stood out as my dream hall. The welcoming community, tight-knit support system, variety of activities, and great facilities made it the ideal place for me to grow, make friends, and enjoy university life to the fullest.

Balancing hall life with academics at NUS can be challenging, but I’ve learned to manage my time well. I plan ahead to ensure I can fully immerse myself in hall activities, like Culture Night, Nightm(eh), La Soirée, and many other events, while staying on top of my studies. The chance to participate in so many activities, from dancing to attending workshops and HRB events, has been one of the highlights of my time here. One of my best memories at Eusoff must be performing at Culture Night with EDC. We spent nearly a month preparing, from learning the choreography to choosing our outfits and rehearsing for hours. There were tough moments, but with my friends by my side, we powered through. The performance itself was a huge success, and afterward, we celebrated with an epic after-party filled with laughter and stories. That night, I laughed harder than I ever have before—and I’ll always cherish that memory!

Nguyen Van Hai Dang, Year 3 student English major, at Hanoi University of Science and Technology