School Advisor Articles

How Sayfol Empowered Nicole Goh to Lead, Learn, and Succeed Abroad

Published by SchoolAdvisor | May 19, 2025

Many students experience a transformative journey through different educational systems, discovering new ways of learning and growing along the way. Nicole Goh’s path reflects this evolution, as she navigated diverse schools and cultures while building strong academic and leadership skills.

Nicole began her education at SJK(C) Kuen Cheng 1, where she studied until Year 6. She then transitioned to Sayfol International School for Years 7 to 11, a shift that was quite significant for her. After completing her IGCSEs, Nicole earned a scholarship to pursue her Pre-University studies in the Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) at Sunway. She then spent her first year of university in Hong Kong, where her dedication earned her a spot on the Dean’s List. 

Before starting her programme at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Nicole gained practical experience working in the Sales & Marketing department at JW Marriott Hong Kong. Currently, she is completing her Bachelor of Information Systems at UNSW, focusing on using digital technologies to tackle real-world business challenges. Alongside her studies, she served as the National Executive Director for the International Council of Malaysian Scholars (ICMS) Australia Chapter, supporting professional growth for Malaysian students across Australia.

Thanks to her education at Sayfol, all of this was made possible. 

The sense of fun and variety at Sayfol made Nicole look forward to school, where learning felt engaging and truly enjoyable.

A Journey of Support, Growth, and Real Learning at Sayfol

The change from a government school to Sayfol was a big leap for Nicole. She had always thought learning meant memorising facts from textbooks. But Sayfol showed her that learning is much more than just classrooms and rote memorisation. It opened up new ways to understand and engage with knowledge. 

Here, the teachers were not only knowledgeable but also approachable and patient, always ready to revisit material whenever Nicole found something confusing. This created a supportive environment where she felt comfortable asking questions and engaging fully in her studies. Beyond academics, she built genuine friendships with many teachers who continue to offer support even after her graduation, highlighting the lasting bonds formed at Sayfol.

When Nicole first enrolled, Sayfol’s on-campus sports facilities were limited, which meant students often travelled to external venues for practice and games. Despite these challenges, the school remained committed to ensuring extracurricular activities were enjoyable and accessible. “Over time, Sayfol has made remarkable progress in upgrading its amenities. A year before I graduated, they built a FIFA-sized soccer field that became my go-to spot after class to hang out and play with friends. Now, there’s a new multipurpose hall, a swimming pool, and even a new library on the way.”

School trips were another key part of Nicole’s experience, designed to enrich classroom learning through real-world exposure. During her Geography course, for example, students had the opportunity to explore natural environments that brought textbook concepts to life.

“I vividly recall a trip to Bukit Nanas, where we saw firsthand the concepts we had studied, making the learning process far more immersive and engaging. We also went on a school trip to Singapore, which was an incredible experience. Travelling overseas with friends not only strengthened our bonds but also made learning feel like an adventure at that age.”

Taking all these into consideration, it's no surprise that Nicole excelled in her studies, achieving 6 A* grades and 2 Bs in her IGCSE examination. This success was due in large part to the dedication and teaching styles of her instructors.

“The teachers at Sayfol were incredibly supportive, always open to questions and wouldn't hesitate to re-explain concepts if we didn’t grasp them right away. Without these teachers, I wouldn't be where I am.”

Among her favourite teachers was Mr Krishna Muniandy, her Commerce teacher, whose enthusiasm made classes both engaging and relevant. His passion helped Nicole discover her interest in business, shaping her academic direction. Similarly, Ms Kalpana Dass, her Economics teacher, had a talent for breaking down complex ideas into simpler parts, a method that stuck with Nicole long after the lessons ended. Mr Devaraj, her Malay teacher, made learning enjoyable and dynamic, ensuring the class was never dull. Their combined dedication and encouragement not only supported Nicole’s academic achievements but also inspired her passion for learning.

“Overall, their dedication and passion for teaching played a huge role in my academic success and were one of the major reasons I scored an A* in all the courses they taught.”

One of Nicole's (left) favourite aspects of Sayfol was the weekly Co-Curricular Activities.

How Sayfol’s Activities Shaped Nicole’s Growth

Many students find that their involvement in co-curricular activities at school plays a crucial role in their personal growth and university applications. Nicole Goh’s experience at Sayfol exemplifies this well. From sports to performing arts and leadership roles, Nicole actively embraced the opportunities offered by the school, shaping her skills and confidence along the way.

Nicole was a Student Ambassador and participated in various school events, balancing roles as a representative and performer. She joined the running, football, and basketball teams, enjoying the weekly Co-Curricular Activities (CCA), including options like bowling, archery, futsal, and badminton. These activities were supported by professional instructors or off-campus facilities, giving students access to quality experiences beyond the classroom.

Sports Week was a particular highlight for Nicole. This annual event united students, teachers, and staff in friendly competitions. Nicole eagerly participated in relays, track events, basketball, and football, valuing the teamwork and school spirit that made the week memorable. Beyond sports, she had a deep passion for dance, with over 14 years of experience. Sayfol’s school productions and various dance forms, from Zumba to Hip-Hop and cultural performances, allowed her to express herself on stage confidently.

“These experiences helped me develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, qualities that became invaluable during my university applications. More importantly, they nurtured a proactive mindset; learning to take initiative and seize opportunities has influenced how I approach challenges today. Looking back, I appreciate how Sayfol encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, try new things, and grow.”

Nicole’s extracurricular interests also included chess tournaments, where she enjoyed the strategic challenge and camaraderie. The school also encouraged students to participate in external events. One memorable highlight for Nicole was representing Sayfol at the Online Media Dialogue on Children Living in Pandemic hosted by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development and UNICEF Malaysia. This event allowed her to interact with peers from different countries and interview media professionals from Netflix and the Educational Broadcasting System Korea, broadening her perspective and experience.

Nicole will complete her Bachelor of Information Systems degree at UNSW in 2025.

From Sayfol to Sydney

When students move from one education system to another, especially across countries, the transition can be daunting. But for Nicole, adapting to life at Sunway College and later the University of New South Wales (UNSW) came naturally. Her early education at Sayfol played a key role in smoothing that path.

“The school was highly diverse; out of more than 100 students in my year, fewer than 19 were Malaysians, and the majority of them were from overseas. Being immersed in such an international environment made me more adaptable, open-minded, and comfortable connecting with people from a range of cultural backgrounds. As a result, blending in and making friends overseas felt effortless, with virtually no barriers at all.”

Academically, Sayfol also prepared her in subtle but important ways. Unlike traditional schools, where students remain in the same classroom, Sayfol implemented a dynamic system where students moved between rooms for each subject. This setup mirrored what Nicole would later experience in pre-university and university settings. It encouraged her to mix with different groups of students throughout the day, building confidence and social fluency — qualities that became second nature when she entered Sunway College and UNSW.

Today, Nicole is doing her internship while studying in Australia at Solomon’s Wealth Management Group. She plans to pursue postgraduate education there since she has obtained an offer from the University of Melbourne to further her studies.

When asked if she would recommend Sayfol to others, Nicole doesn’t hesitate. “Sayfol offers a strong academic programme alongside diverse extracurricular opportunities. This combination prepares students for exams and life beyond school, fostering both personal growth and global awareness. For the tuition fees you’re paying, I believe Sayfol offers great value.”