MELODY has been a boarder at UWCSEA East in Singapore since she was in Grade 9; she’s now in Grade 11. Here, she gives us the inside scoop on what it’s like to live and study at the school.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Hong Kong but I grew up in Shenzhen. I’m currently attending UWCSEA East, and studying Higher Level Global Politics, English Literature, Psychology Standard Level Spanish ab initio, Sports, Exercise and Health Science, and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.
Outside the classroom, I’m involved in the school volleyball team, gym leadership and the Humanities Magazine. I’m also part of Voices with Refugees, a Service group that supports Rohingya refugees at Cahaya Surya Bakti in Malaysia.
What do you like about being a boarder?
What I value most about boarding is the strong sense of community. The boarding leaders put in a lot of effort to organise events that bring people together in the UWCSEA community, which really helps build meaningful connections between the students – especially because students are away from family, a sense of belonging is really important as boarding starts to feel like a second home.
There’s a strong culture of care, where you can tell that people are looking out for you. This makes the environment feel very safe and supportive.
The East Campus facilities are also a huge advantage, and they give us everything we need to balance academics, sports and daily life comfortably.
And what about Singapore itself?
Singapore is incredibly convenient – there are plenty of places nearby where students can go for meals or to relax. At the same time, the East Campus is in a quieter area, which creates a calmer environment. Despite that, it’s a short trip to the city centre so you get the best of both worlds.
Also, Singapore’s safety is something my parents really value, as it allows them to feel confident about me living away from home. It makes it a great place for students to live independently and comfortably.
Do you have a favourite spot in the boarding house?
The common room on the 14th floor of the East Campus boarding house is definitely my favourite. There’s a grand piano there, and I really enjoy playing it whenever I have time. It’s a nice space to unwind and de-stress after a long day.
It’s also great that the boarding house has facilities that allow me to continue my hobbies.
What’s your favourite meal?
I especially enjoy eating cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) with different sauces. Although it’s not really a full meal, it reminds me a lot of home and how I often used to eat it growing up. Even though it’s not offered at school, I’m still able to get it at a hawker centre that’s within walking distance of East Campus.
What was the biggest challenge settling in at boarding school in Singapore?
One of the biggest challenges was moving away from home at a young age and adjusting to a completely new routine.
At first, it felt quite unfamiliar not having my friends or family around, but I overcame it as I got more involved in the boarding community through sports, activities and just spending time with the people around me.
Building these friendships and routines made a big difference, and the boarding house quickly started to feel like home.
What do you enjoy most about UWCSEA?
I like how central sports and physical activity are to my life at UWCSEA. Having the resources and opportunities to play volleyball both in and out of season is something I really value. I especially appreciate the strong sense of community within sports where there is a balance of competitiveness and support.
Academically, I enjoy the range of subjects we can take, especially within the IB Diploma Programme. Subjects like Global Politics and Sports, Exercise, and Health Science are not offered at many other schools. Having access to them allows me to explore interests that go beyond more traditional subjects.
Beyond academics, there’s a lot of freedom to explore different activities and service initiatives. It allows students to pursue what they’re truly passionate about and develop their interests outside the classroom.
What do you hope to do when you finish school?
I’d like to continue exploring my interests at university, especially in areas such as political science. I’m still figuring out the exact path I want to take, but I know I want to go into an area that involves working with people and having a real impact.
A typical day for a boarder at UWCSEA
- 7am: Wake up. Students get ready for school and head to the Pavilion Canteen at Dover Campus or the Santai Café at East Campus for a wide selection of breakfast dishes.
- 8am to 3pm: Lessons. Boarding houses on both campuses are “out-of-bounds” during the school day with Grade 11 and 12 students enjoying a bit more flexibility. Students take breaks and lunch along with the day students, providing opportunities for everyone to mingle.
- 12.45pm: Lunchtime. Sometimes, students get involved in lunchtime meetings or activities.
- 3pm to 4.15pm: After-school activities. Students engage in a vast range of activities that include fine arts and performing arts, competitive and recreational sports, subject-specific clubs, service groups, societies, language studies and more.
- 4.15pm to 6pm: Time to chill. Students touch base with their Houseparent, hang out with friends, study, make a snack in the kitchen, collect laundry or message their parents. They can go off campus if it’s pre-approved.
- 6pm to 6.45pm: Dinner time. Themed dinners are a way for students to share their culture through food. Food is a major preoccupation for boarders!
- 7pm to 9pm: Homework and study. Sometimes called “prep”, this period is supervised by Assistant Houseparents who are also teachers and can provide support if needed. Both East and Dover campuses also have a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) tutor.
- 9.30pm: Technology time-out. Grades 8, 9 and 10 have to hand in their mobile phones and laptops during this wind-down period, and get ready for bed. Grades 11 and 12 get to stay up a bit later. 12am: Wi-Fi off.
Fact File
Year established: Dover Campus, 1971; East Campus, 2008
School year: August to June
Ages: 4 to 18 years (boarding from 14 years)
Student population: 6,030 at both campuses; 117 nationalities
Boarders: 340 students; 89 nationalities; 43 languages
spoken at home
Curriculum: UWCSEA concept-based curriculum, UWCSEA
Grade 9/10 Programme, IB Diploma Programme
This article on a boarding school in Singapore first appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest mag or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.
