School Advisor Articles

From HIS to KYUEM and UCL: How Nicholas Choo’s Educational Journey Shaped Him into a Deloitte Consultant

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Mar 12, 2024

“I will be forever grateful to the teachers, staff and friends I have met throughout my time at HELP International School,” Nicholas Yang Wei Choo says.

Today, Nicholas is a consultant at Deloitte London, specialising in Reputation, Risk, Crisis, Resilience (RRCR) within the Risk Advisory practice. His educational journey from HELP International School (HIS) to Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM) has been nothing short of transformative, shaping him into the person he is today. As he reflects on his experiences, it becomes evident that his time at these institutions has been instrumental in his personal and professional development.

A Foundation of Friendship and Learning 

 For Nicholas, HIS was more than just a school; it was a community where he found lifelong friends and discovered his passions. Despite initial reservations about stepping out of his comfort zone, his classmates became his closest companions and welcomed him with open arms. “My friends at HIS shaped me emotionally and intellectually. They challenged me to step outside my shell and pursue my interests wholeheartedly.”

HIS provided Nicholas with a diverse and enriching learning environment, offering a wide array of subjects and extracurricular activities - to help students understand their passion in life.

“The usual sciences and maths were supplemented by arts such as physical education, music and drama, and I think it made many students come out of HIS as all-rounders.”

One memory Nicholas cherishes from HIS is conquering his initial dislike of English literature, a compulsory subject. “I wasn’t a big reading fan, and learning the Shakespearean language wasn’t really appealing. However, the soft analytical skills I gained from it have helped me with my university degree and current work at Deloitte.”

These skills allow him to read between the lines in complex situations, navigate challenging conversations with his peers and colleagues and develop his sense of empathy whenever communicating.

At Help International School, Nicholas met his closest friends, with whom he still keeps in touch to this day.

 

Moreover, the school’s commitment to holistic education was epitomised by its state-of-the-art facilities. From the bustling Astro field, where friendships were forged through spirited games of football, to the nurturing environment of the classroom, every corner of HIS was imbued with the spirit of excellence and opportunity. These facilities facilitated academic pursuits and served as incubators for passion and talent.

It was also at HIS that Nicholas discovered his passion for ultimate frisbee. Ms Jill, a coach who played at the highest level, ignited his love for the sport. He started from scratch,  embraced the welcoming frisbee community within HIS, and eventually transitioned from recreational play to competitive tournaments. This experience laid the foundation for his future sporting achievements, culminating in captaining his college team to a second-place finish against his former HIS peers. His passion continued into university, where he played for University College London’s (UCL) first team, winning bronze at a national competition.

The sport honed his collaboration and teamwork skills – essential qualities for his current role as a consultant at Deloitte. “Ultimate Frisbee taught me the importance of collaboration and working well in a team. As a consultant at Deloitte, I need to work well with a team from which I may not know anyone initially. So understanding their communication style and the best way to give feedback is pivotal to ensuring a project goes well.”

HELP’s multi-tiered support system proved invaluable for Nicholas’ IGCSE success. The school offered supplementary classes for those needing extra help and opportunities for advanced students to become peer tutors. This collaborative approach mirrored the professional world Nicholas would later enter, where teachers encouraged student opinions and critical thinking. Unlike other schools that ranked students by sets, HIS fostered a more inclusive environment where weaker students could learn from their peers while stronger students weren’t burdened by excessive pressure. 

“HIS rewards excellence and development. I remember them doing a yearly award ceremony for each year group on the best-performing student in each subject and most improved throughout the year.”

At KYUEM, Nicholas met and studied with the smartest and most talented individuals he ever met.

Navigating the Challenges of A-levels at KYUEM

Transitioning to KYUEM, Nicholas, who took Chemistry, Economics and Mathematics for his A-Levels there, faced a rigorous academic environment and a vibrant extracurricular scene. “KYUEM challenged me academically and personally,” Nicholas recalls. “It was here that I honed my leadership skills and developed a deeper understanding of my academic interests.”

He surrounded himself with brilliant and talented individuals, whom many were sponsored by prestigious organisations. Despite initial feelings of intimidation, Nicholas discovered that his fellow students were just as down-to-earth as him.

KYUEM’s focus on extracurricular activities fostered a vibrant community spirit. Cultural events were a highlight, with students participating in various performances. In his second year, Nicholas took on the leadership role of ultimate frisbee captain, honing his time management and organisational skills

KYUEM’s dedicated Higher Education (HE) team provided invaluable guidance. They equipped students with the skills to craft compelling personal statements and connect them with industry professionals. Puan Kasthuri, Nicholas’ HE advisor, played a pivotal role in his success, offering crucial feedback on his application materials.

“I remember going to her with my first draft, and she suggested using an eye-opening first paragraph to captivate the reader. When I entered UCL, I coincidentally met the advisor who reviewed my personal statement and he stated that paragraph stood out to him and made him want to read more.”

Nicholas graduated with a BSc in Management Science degree at UCL.

Finding his Calling 

Nicholas’ journey led him to a unique programme at UCL: BSc in Management Science. This programme, focused on data analysis and its application in business decisions, resonated with his desire to understand the growing influence of data in the modern world.

“The course focused more on data and how it can be analysed to make good business decisions. I understood that data is the future, with the recent proliferation of AI as an example, and I wanted to understand it in a way that would allow me to join the workforce with some knowledge.”

Nicholas’s experiences at HIS and KYUEM laid the groundwork for his success at UCL, facilitating a smooth transition into university life. His international upbringing and diverse academic background enabled him to thrive in a multicultural environment, fostering collaboration and innovation.

What’s more, it also positively impacts his current role as a consultant at Deloitte London, where Nicholas draws upon the lessons learned throughout his educational journey. His risk advisory role demands analytical prowess and effective communication skills, qualities honed through years of academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Nicholas did an internship at Deloitte before joining full-time as a Reputation, Risk, Crisis, and Resilience Consultant there.

 

Advice for Parents Considering International Education

 Nicholas believes international schools offer a valuable alternative approach to learning, encouraging self-expression and critical thinking rather than rote memorisation. He advises parents to carefully consider their priorities when choosing an international school, taking into account factors like location, curriculum and student-teacher ratios.

“I understand that parents have expectations on their kids but I believe that a balance should be struck to create a safe space for kids to learn in a way best suited to them; I think an international school does this well.”

Nicholas credits his international school background with his ability to approach problems from different perspectives and his proactive problem-solving skills. “It gave me perspective to think about the ‘what ifs’ when tackling issues and being proactive, I tend to look at problems through a different lens nowadays, thinking about the next steps and how everything fits into the bigger picture.”

He also highlights the importance of a strong friend group, a product of the inclusive environment fostered by HIS.  “If no one included me, the shy newcomer into their community, I would still be the same shy newcomer and not the person I am today.”