I Went to NUS Before I Stopped Doubting My English

Before her experience at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Jasmine worried about whether her English was good enough.

Could she keep up in class? Would she be able to communicate confidently, make friends, and express herself without worrying about being judged?

These questions became more real when she stepped into an academic environment where English was used every day. Sometimes, she needed extra time to process what was being discussed and find the right words to express her thoughts.

But she was already there. And that meant she had the chance to learn beyond what felt comfortable.

Through DiscoverNUS, Jasmine experienced a new academic and social environment, met people from different parts of the world, and encountered perspectives beyond what she was used to.

The experience broadened her worldview. She realised that learning internationally was not only about attending classes or adding a university name to her experience. It was also about listening to people with different experiences, exchanging ideas, and becoming more open to ways of thinking she had never considered before.

There were moments when communicating in English felt challenging. But those moments also reminded her that growth does not always happen when everything feels easy.

For Jasmine, confidence was not a prerequisite for every opportunity. Sometimes, confidence develops because you decide to show up before you feel completely ready.

And that shift matters. When the fear of making mistakes becomes less powerful, there is more room to ask questions, meet people, share ideas, and learn from the experience.

Jasmine's experience also changed how she viewed English.

It was not simply a subject to study or a skill to perfect. It was a way to access knowledge, build friendships across borders, join international programmes, and explore opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.

That does not mean English insecurity disappears overnight. It means that waiting until your English feels perfect can keep you from experiences that would help you improve in the first place.

Practice matters. So does putting yourself in situations where you have to use what you know, even when you feel a little uncomfortable.

For students who want to study abroad or apply for international opportunities but feel held back by their English, Jasmine's advice is straightforward: start practising early, keep improving, and do not let the possibility of rejection stop you from applying.

You do not need to wait until every skill is perfect before taking your next step.

Sometimes, the opportunity itself becomes part of the learning process.

Jasmine's story is a reminder that you can be nervous and still participate, uncertain and still learn, or imperfect in English and still build meaningful connections.

You do not have to feel 100% ready to take your shot.

At IELSco, we believe that young people should have opportunities to learn, connect, and explore beyond their immediate surroundings.

Jasmine's DiscoverNUS experience reflects what can happen when you step into a new environment, meet people with different perspectives, and give yourself permission to learn along the way.

You do not need to have everything figured out. Start with what you have, keep practising, and stay open to opportunities that challenge you.

Your English doesn't have to be perfect for your story to go further.

Explore more member stories at IELS Circle Stories, and join the IELS Circle community to discover more opportunities to learn and connect across Southeast Asia.