Finding her north in global affairs
A research trip to Kunming reshaped Nurin Haziqah's understanding of public policy, culture and identity
by Wong SY
Nurin Haziqah’s burning ambition at National Junior College was to study politics. But under pressure from relatives, she secured a place at a local law school. In the end, however, Nurin followed her heart to read Public Policy & Global Affairs under the NTU-University Scholars Programme (NTU-USP).
“Luckily, my parents are really cool and let me decide. I picked my major because I’d heard the lecturers are personable and passionate about what they teach. The scholarship NTU offered was also a big factor,” says the second-year undergrad.
Nurin is still open about her career path. She may become a diplomat or a bureaucrat, or pursue academia, or something else. She is looking forward to studying abroad for a semester in her third year, hopefully in Europe. She believes this overseas exposure will broaden her worldview and help shape her future career.
“I’m interested in the European Union and the geopolitics of Europe. Studying in the UK will be great, but perhaps not in London. I’m not a big-city person. I’d prefer a university close to nature,” says Nurin.
Which is why she thoroughly enjoyed her week-long trip to Kunming with fellow NTU-USP students during the break after her first year. Her project group of five was assigned to research how the minority Yi tribe passes on their language. They spent a whole day at Nuohei Village, nestled among mountains and lakes.
“As I listened to elders speaking in their native tongue and watched traditions unfold in their daily rhythms, I saw how this community preserves its identity while navigating the tides of modernity.”
She adds: “My trip taught me that empathy begins with listening, that humility opens doors analysis cannot, and that heritage and progress can coexist when we honour both.”
The experience also gave her a deeper appreciation of her own Malay culture. “My grandma and mum spent a great part of their lives speaking mainly Malay. Seeing how the Yi elders long for their children to keep their language made me cherish mine even more.”
She’s now thinking of learning a third language – a desire partly sparked by her project groupmate Nigel Koh, a linguistics major and a polyglot who speaks 10 languages.
“Nigel could string together a few sentences in the Yi language after just a few days of meeting the tribe. He’s a natural. I can only speak English and Malay,” Nurin laughs. “Learning a third language would also help if I pursue international relations as a career.”
As she witnessed the struggle of a minority group adjusting to a fast-changing world, Nurin’s worldview expanded as well. “Beyond textbooks or theories, it was a lesson in seeing the world as it truly is: complex, evolving and held together by the stories people choose to keep alive.”
For Nurin, the world is truly her oyster.
NTU-University Scholars Programme
The NTU-University Scholars Programme develops independent thinkers and empathetic leaders with a global mindset. Gain an international outlook through multidisciplinary core courses, semester-long exchanges, an overseas student symposium, research trips and electives with travel components.
Read more stories about NTU undergraduates learning beyond borders here.
This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
