Name
Alex Sinke
Time at GESS
August 2013 – July 2017
Year of Graduation
2017
What has your learning journey after GESS been like?
After GESS, I moved to the Netherlands to attend Tilburg University. I am currently doing my Bachelors in ‘Online Culture; Art, Media and Society’.
What is your favourite memory of your time at GESS?
I have plenty of good memories from my time at GESS. Ranging from Grade 7 Project Week to the Grade 10 trip to India to all the funny things that happened during class.
What do you miss most about your time at GESS?
Whilst this was both one of the most saddening parts, it was also one of the best parts; always meeting new people. GESS being an international school always meant people would leave but new people would always come in their stead. This way, you were always meeting new people and making friends easily.
What do you miss about Singapore and your life here?
Honestly, I mostly miss the food. I live in the Netherlands now, and Dutch cuisine – if that’s even a thing – has got nothing on the mix of proper Asian cuisines that Singapore offered.
Did you have any favourite spots in Singapore?
One of my favorite spots would have to be Plaza Singapura. Plaza Singapura was always a good place to meet friends to either do something there, with its very wide variety of activities and services, or go somewhere else. On a side note – I love the food court at the back of the Bras Basah complex.
How do you think your time at GESS and in Singapore has impacted your (future) life?
My time and experiences at GESS has taught me a lot of things. I followed the MYP and IBDP under an excellent group of teachers, who have taught me a lot of basic things that I now deem highly valuable in everyday life. Also, the general multicultural nature of GESS and all the people you will meet teaches you lot of basic open-mindedness. It is a great quality to have to improve your social skills. All the general problem-solving I’ve done at GESS, both as a student and also as Student Council President, has formed the foundation for the way I spend my time at university. I’m a highly active student in many organisations, organising events, running things and leading people left and right. At GESS I learned that (almost) nothing is impossible, as long as you’re driven, dedicated and informed enough to tackle the problem in all the right places.
What did you learn during your time at GESS that you could not appreciate yet during your time there, but that you consider a valuable lesson now?
Honestly, you might not like how strict your teachers may have been in the beginning, but you should be grateful that they checked you on every mistake you made, however small. They really are doing it for you, your well-being and success. Also, don’t forget to treat people with respect because that good karma will hit you somewhere later in life.
Is there any piece of advice or any experience you would like to share with current GESS students?
Just work hard for what you want, and make sure that you have clear goals. Make sure you always do something fun on the side, either to realign your interests or to further motivate you to get through the boring stuff. Life is going to hold plenty of boring stuff you’re going to have to get through. But think of it this way — there will always be so much more cool stuff to do once you’re done with it.
You are a GESS Alumni and would like to share your memories of GESS with us? Please email us at alumni@gess.sg. We will love to get to know you!
