The power of a thankful heart

Some of our former and current scholars reflect on what the scholarship means to them, what they have learned on their journey so far, and how they plan to give back to the world and their communities in the future.

Luisa Anggawan, ‘21 | Indonesian

“My experience in SJI International has truly redefined my standards of education. Through the opportunity the scholarship has given me, I am grateful to have been able to study in such an open minded environment to pursue the subjects that I enjoy the most. This experience has helped me broaden my view of the world, inspiring me to help others in need to the best of my capabilities. In the future, I will continue to hold and implement these values to strive for the betterment of our society.”

Ian Tham, ‘21 | Singaporean

“SJII’s IB scholarship is indicative of our school’s recognition and reward for academic excellence, desiring to support those who have succeeded under their nurture. It has enabled and motivated me to cultivate my love for learning across all subjects, spurring my academic pursuits beyond the classroom and instilled a sense of duty into me and other recipients alike to be embodiments of the merits of a Lasallian education. I have found resonance with like-minded peers and teachers, forming indelible relationships that I hope to carry into the next stages of my academic career.”

Jansen Ongkowijoyo, ‘21 | Indonesian

“Life is indeed like a tree. We all start from the roots, and we all want to grow as tall as we can be. This scholarship is like a fertilizer that is like no other. Thanks to this special fertilizer, the stem strengthens and becomes fortified with knowledge, the branches grow and surround themselves with others, and the flowers bloom with profound personality. The fruits that are formed from these flowers are my gifts to the world, from which I will share the values I learned from SJI International to people who truly appreciate education and community.”

Karin Koesoemo, ‘21 | Indonesian

“Being in a community where academic excellence is expected, the values of resilience and perseverance echo throughout my journey in SJII. This experience has taught me that being resilient and persevering is more than achieving. It is also about acceptance, compassion, and gratitude. In more ways than one, SJII has helped me to become not only a person of excellence but more importantly, a person for others. Moving forward, I will continue to seek opportunities in serving people with the values, skills, and knowledge I have learned; ‘enter to learn, leave to serve’.”

Alex Brown, ‘21 | British (PR)

“Through my 12 years in SJI International, I have been privileged to be in a school where teachers became mentors and friends, and friends became family. Receiving the coveted SJII Scholarship was not only an immense privilege but also has inspired me to proudly follow the Lasallian values in my future endeavours — which I am truly grateful for. I have come to realise that our Lasallian ethos of “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve” makes us truly unique compared to other schools and is a powerful reminder to always give back. The confidence placed in me by the school will always inspire me to give my best in everything I do and to carry forward these values, wherever this may take me in the future. This has inspired me to continue launching service projects and to grow from the strong foundations SJII has provided, to continue to give back to communities whether in neglected sectors at home in Singapore or internationally.

Our incredible faculty, to which I owe a massive thanks, has not only taught me to strive for academic excellence but also mentored us to embody the school’s values, nurturing us to become Lasallians with open minds and hearts. Regardless of setbacks, even a global pandemic, SJII has provided me with an environment that helped me to never feel ‘lost’. In fact, SJII has provided us with tools to, not only weather, but to thrive in these challenging times. There is no doubt that I owe so much of who I am now and my incredible wealth of experiences in both elementary and high school to the SJII scholarship and community. ”

Brian Halim, ‘21 | Indonesian

“Being able to study at SJI International is an experience that will always remain in my life. The struggle to complete school assignments and the experience of living away from family will provide guidance for my life journey. More importantly, SJII’s motto “enter to learn and leave to serve” has truly summarized my journey and aim in the future. Although the heaps of academic pressures seemed everlasting, teachers and staffs in SJII have always prioritized my wellbeing and strive to alleviate these burdens. As such, it inspired me to pursue upholding this motto and giving back to the community.”

Vanness Valentino, ‘21 | Indonesian

“My journey in SJI International is accompanied by two sets of values, one offered by the school and the other by the IB: SMILES and the IB Learner Profile. These values have undeniably prepared me for the future even after I graduate from SJI International. One value that these two share is ‘Internationalism’, or ‘Open-mindedness’. This scholarship has introduced me to a community of various ethnic, national, and religious backgrounds, almost surprising at first if I may say. However, the two years spent in this community have proven to me that this diversity is not a barrier but rather, an opportunity to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and appreciate different perspectives that they may hold.”