Where It All Began: How BSKL Sparked a Global Career for Julia
Published by SchoolAdvisor | May 16, 2025
Many believe that studying at a leading international school is a luxury few can afford. But opportunities exist for bright, hardworking students — if they know where to look. Julia Chin seized one of those opportunities, earning a full academic scholarship sponsored by the British High Commissioner to attend the British International School of Kuala Lumpur (BSKL). Over six years, Julia flourished at BSKL — one of the top Nord Anglia schools in Asia, celebrated for achieving academic results higher than independent British curriculum schools in the UK.
Her time at BSKL was about building confidence, leadership skills, and a global mindset — qualities that would carry her from Kuala Lumpur to one of the world’s top universities, and ultimately, to a career in London.
Today, Julia is based in London, working as a strategy consultant at Strategy&, the strategy consulting arm of PwC. In this fast-paced environment, she collaborates with private equity and corporate clients across sectors like media, technology, and financial services — a role where deep market analysis, commercial insights, and strategic recommendations are part of daily life. Thanks to her early foundations, Julia has embraced the challenge with a winner’s mentality.
Julia graduates with First-Class Honours in Economics and Global Sustainable Development from the University of Warwick.
An Early Start at BSKL
BSKL is known for its strong academic foundations and accreditations from leading organisations such as the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), and Cambridge International Examinations. In 2016, the school, licensed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education, opened a new secondary campus onsite, offering a modern, spacious, and stimulating environment for its older students.
Julia joined BSKL in 2012 and, coming from a local Chinese school, her move to BSKL’s smaller class sizes and international community proved to be a transformative experience. With only 10 to 15 students per class, she received personalised support and closer engagement with teachers, which made a significant difference.
The environment encouraged critical thinking and curiosity — something Julia was not used to, but quickly embraced. It gave her the confidence to ask questions, think independently, and communicate more effectively.
The school’s international student body also exposed her to different cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking. “This experience was invaluable in preparing me for higher education abroad and adapting seamlessly to new academic and social environments,” she says.
Academically, BSKL laid a strong foundation. Julia completed 12 IGCSE subjects, including the full suite of science subjects, mathematics, geography, economics, art, and Mandarin, earning 10 A*s and 2 As. These results helped her secure another full scholarship to Cardiff Sixth Form College. But for Julia, the difference wasn’t just in the curriculum but also with the people who made BSKL stand out.
“The teachers at BSKL were exceptional, offering continuous academic support and mentorship,” she says. Their dedication, accessibility, and personal approach played a big role in her academic success.
One teacher, in particular, left a lasting impression. “Among my educators, Mr. Ashford had the most profound impact,” she says. “His ability to break down complex concepts into easily understandable lessons made learning both engaging and effective.” It was his teaching that convinced her to pursue Geography as an IGCSE subject, confident that with his guidance, she would excel.
Beyond academics, Mr. Ashford was also a trusted mentor who encouraged curiosity and built self-confidence. It’s something Julia has carried with her through university and into her career.
Celebrating success on and off the pitch—Julia and her BSKL teammates proudly pose with their medals after a standout football tournament.
Exploring Beyond the Classroom
BSKL was also where Julia discovered her love for sports. Although she did not see herself as particularly athletic when she first joined, she went on to represent the school in football, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and athletics at both local and international tournaments, including the FOBISIA.
Here, Julia was a player and a leader. She captained the women’s basketball team and was selected as the overall team captain for BSKL’s first FOBISIA Games in Bangkok in 2015. “These experiences helped me cultivate teamwork, leadership, and resilience, skills that have been highly transferable to my professional career, particularly in collaborative project-based environments,” she says.
Her time outside the classroom was not limited to sports. Julia completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze and Silver Awards, taking on expedition challenges and building skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and endurance.
Leadership roles came naturally as well. Serving as Vice House Captain in Year 11 and School Prefect in Year 12, Julia combined her activities and achievements into a strong scholarship application that ultimately earned her a place at Cardiff Sixth Form College.
Julia with fellow Malaysian students outside Cardiff Sixth Form College—proudly representing their roots abroad
Stepping Into a Global Future
After her time at BSKL, Julia continued her A-levels at Cardiff Sixth Form College, where she achieved 3 A* grades, before graduating with First-Class Honours from the University of Warwick, where she studied Economics and Global Sustainable Development.
She credits BSKL with providing a strong foundation that eased her transition to both Cardiff and Warwick. “The school’s multicultural learning environment equipped me with the interpersonal skills to integrate effortlessly into new academic settings, allowing me to adapt quickly and build strong relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds,” she says. BSKL’s emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent inquiry also closely matched the academic style she encountered later.
At Warwick, Julia embraced new opportunities beyond the classroom. She held leadership roles in student-led organisations, including serving as Creative Director for TEDxWarwick and Public Relations Coordinator for the Warwick ASEAN Conference. These experiences helped her stand out when applying for consulting roles after graduation.
Life in Consulting and Advice for Future Students
When asked whether she would recommend BSKL to others, Julia did not hesitate. “I would highly recommend BSKL to parents seeking a comprehensive, high-quality education for their children,” she says. She highlighted the school’s strong academic support, small class sizes, and diverse extracurricular opportunities, which together create “a holistic educational experience that nurtures both academic excellence and personal development.”
Today, Julia is building her career at Strategy& London, where she specialises in commercial due diligence and corporate strategy. Since joining the Deals practice in September 2023, she has worked on more than ten buy-side and sell-side engagements across sectors like media, technology, and financial services. Looking ahead, Julia hopes to deepen her focus on the media sector, combining her interests in strategy, creative industries, and commercial insights.
