In the Heart of the Hall: International Students' Stories
At Eusoff Hall, we believe that the heart of our community lies in its diversity. Our international students bring rich cultures, perspectives, and stories that enrich the experience for everyone living here. From different corners of the globe, they have come to call our hall their home, and now it's time to celebrate their journeys, passions, and contributions to our vibrant community.
In this special feature, we'll introduce you to some of our international students. From their cultures to their personal stories, you will get a glimpse of what makes them special. We hope you will be inspired by the diversity and talent that they bring to our hall!
I’m Akash Geo Mattam, a Year 2 Business student from India, and when I first moved into Eusoff, I honestly had no idea what to expect. New country, new people, new environment. I didn’t know then that a squash racket and a tennis court would end up helping me find my place here.
I had played squash before, but never with proper training or competitive matches. IHG was my first real experience playing seriously. In my first match, I lost. But what I remember most wasn’t the score. It was my teammates cheering like I was playing a final. That support made me want to keep going. When I won my second match, it wasn’t just about winning. It was realizing that Eusoff is the kind of place where you can step up, try something properly for the first time, and have people backing you all the way.
Tennis has been part of my life for over 15 years, but the Eusoff tennis team made it special in a different way. Everyone was so funny, chill, and welcoming. This year, after seven years, we finally won. Some of our Year 4s had been chasing that title their entire university journey. Being able to help them end on that high meant everything to me.And then there’s drama, my lifelong CCA. The late nights, losing my voice during NIGHTM(EH), the laughter backstage.
Those small moments are the ones I’ll always remember. Through all of this, I realized that being an international student doesn’t have to mean feeling like an outsider. At Eusoff, you can try new things, meet incredible people, and slowly, without even noticing, it starts to feel like home.
Akash Geo Mattam , Year 2 Business Major, India
Hi, I’m Jolin, a Year 2 Nursing student from Indonesia. Moving to Singapore to study at NUS was a big step for me, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect at the start. But over time, Eusoff Hall slowly became a place that feels like home. Eusoff has introduced me to many newsports and cultures that I had never known before. I’m quite involved in hall life. This academic year, I’m serving as the Vice-Captain for Handball, and I’ve also played football and floorball, while taking on the role of Team Manager for softball. Balancing sports with nursing studies, especially during exam periods and clinical postings, can be challenging. Still, being part of these teams has given me some of my closest friendships and taught me resilience, discipline, and teamwork.
Beyond sports, I serve as the Logistics Head for the Social Service Committee. Planning events and handling the behind-the-scenes work can get hectic, but it’s meaningful to me. As a nursing student, serving the community is something close to my heart, so being able to contribute in this way feels very aligned with who I am. One of my favourite memories isn’t even during major events. It’s the simple nights when my friends and I gather, just sitting and talking for hours. At the same time, participating in IHG has been a huge highlight — the adrenaline before matches, the cheers from fellow Eusoffians and friends, and the excitement of competing together is unforgettable. There are days when I miss home, but the people here make it easier. Eusoff Hall isn’t just where I stay, it’s where I’ve grown, built friendships, and discovered a community I’m truly grateful for.
Jollin Phannely , Year 2 Nursing, Indonesia
Hi! I’m Akshata, a student from Bangalore, India, majoring in DSA with a minor in IMD. Alongside my academic pursuits, I serve as the Performing Arts Director for Eusoff Hall’s 38th Junior Common Room Committee, which is similar to holding a position in the student council for the Hall.
As an international student, my primary aim was to find a hostel that offered much more than simply a place to stay. I wanted a true sense of community and companionship—a space where I could immerse myself in the local culture of Singapore and feel connected to the people around me. While researching my options on the NUS websites, I discovered that the values, mission, and spirit of Eusoff Hall resonated deeply with me. This alignment made Eusoff Hall my first and only choice for accommodation
While the Hall is most famous for its incredible sports culture, one of the first things that drew me in (apart from the proximity to Kent Ridge Bus Terminal and supper stretch of course) was the vibrant performing arts scene. Over the past three years, I’ve had the chance to participate in a range of activities, including serving as Project Director for FLAG, acting and directing in Drama, singing soprano in Chorapella, and taking part in the annual Drama-Dance Production (EHDP) for which my roles have varied from main cast and supporting cast to dancer and Marketing Co-Head. Each of these experiences has been about much more than just performing; they have allowed me to learn, grow, and forge friendships that extend far beyond rehearsals and show days. Late-night practices, shared meals and the collective excitement before stepping on stage created bonds that I struggle to put into words. These are the bonds that inspire me to give back and help create similar experiences for others.
What made me stay though, was the people. The community here is truly something special. Be it the students, SCRC or Hall Office staff, there’s always someone ready to lend a hand, offer encouragement, provide guidance, or simply have a friendly chat. This warmth helped me transition into hall life with ease and made Eusoff feel like home much faster than I expected.
Whether it’s cheering at games, supporting friends at performances, attending wonderful events or just spending time together in the lounges, Eusoff made sure to make everyday life feel richer and more meaningful. It’s given me a stage to grow on, a place to call home, friends who feel like family and countless memories that I will carry with me long after my time here.
Vedam Akshata Jaishankar , Year 3 Science Major, India
Hi everyone! My name is Jen, a Year 2 Civil Engineering student who grew up in Australia (I’m Vietnamese though!). Eusoff Hall was a highly unexpected surprise I am very grateful for after accepting my offer to study at NUS! Eusoff has been more than welcoming, and I am so thankful for the amazing community that has adopted me with open arms (and my roommates!). I’m involved in all types of activities, since Year 1, I was in Drama, Green Committee, EusoffWorks and even Sports Management Committee (SMC) to name a few! Continuing my stay in Year 2, I had the opportunity to take up more leadership roles as Drama Head and Publicity Head for SMC. I have had the privilege of organizing trips outside hall (such as Gardens By The Bay for Green Comm.) or Drama Outings to watch Singaporean theatre, and even host workshops with professionals like Alfian Sa’at or Ashie Singh. These opportunities truly are once-in-a-lifetime, and I am so excited to be contributing to future freshmen coming into Eusoff in this way.
Eusoff Hall is truly the BEST place to try everything and fail, and it has such a great balance of culture, sports and community service CCAs to do that - so I hope that future Eusoffians can keep their minds open to try new things like I did! It can be difficult to manage your academics as well, but using a physical calendar to dedicate fixed times to my CCAs continues to make everything enjoyable. There may be times where I feel stressed with balancing hall life and my academics, but the late-night suppers or impromptu dining hall conversations makes me feel supported and I have never once regretted becoming more involved.
I will never forget how scary it is to move to a new country, but Eusoff has truly made me a home away from home. At the heart of student life, I think Eusoff makes it possible to learn how to uplift and support others in all that we do, so I hope that whatever is stopping you from trying out for that CCA or going to that block event becomes a little easier knowing that they become memories that you will never forget.
Jen Le, Year 2 Engineering Major, Vietnam
Hi all, I am Ashley Tan, a Year 3 Psychology student from Malaysia, and my journey at Eusoff Hall has been nothing short of exciting. I chose Eusoff because it is the nearest hall to my faculty (FASS), but I stayed for the incredible community that's so friendly and accepting. I have been actively involved in the hall's performing arts scene-I am currently the performing arts director, and I have also been a cast member and stage manager for the Eusoff Hall drama-dance productions. I was even the ex-head of Eusoff Drama.
Balancing academics with my many commitments to hall CCAs has been challenging at times. I have often wondered if I made the right choice, but looking back, I have never regretted getting involved. The experiences I have had here have shaped me into who I am today. One key lesson I have learned is to space myself out, stay organized, and keep track of all my deadlines-trust me, that's been a game changer.
What I enjoy most about living in hall are the late-night heart-to-hearts and those random dinner sessions that somehow turn into 4-hour chats. And, of course, the chaotic moments backstage during performances-those are the memories I'll never forget!
Ashley Tan, Year 3 Psychology Major, Malaysia
I am Sanjana, a first-year Business student from India, and I've had an amazing time so far at Eusoff Hall. I'm involved in a variety of activities-I'm part of the DDP cast, as well as the Drama, Football, and APT CCAs. What drew me to Eusoff in the first place was its super vibey atmosphere, along with the strong culture and sports scene that really clicked with me. One of the key things that keeps me on track is my calendar-it's honestly my lifeline! I schedule everything the night before, which helps me stay organized and on top of my deadlines. It's not easy juggling everything, but I've learned to make it work.
If I had to pick my favourite hall memory, it would definitely be Cult Night. Performing in a play was an absolute blast, and it was so cool to see all the talent on display. Furthermore, having my friends there to support me made it even more special. It's moments like these that make my time at Eusoff Hall unforgettable!
(Sanjana at the center of the photograph, surrounded by her friends)
Sanjana Sindiri, Year 1 Business Major, India
I'm a Year 3 Mechanical Engineering student from Malaysia, and my time at Eusoff Hall has been an incredible journey so far. To be honest, I first chose Eusoff after hearing about it from a Malaysian YouTuber, but I've stayed because of the amazing community and opportunities here. I'm involved in basketball, drama, and handball, and balancing all these activities with my academics can be a challenge. I stay on top of everything by setting up a weekly timetable-while hall life can get really busy, academics will always be my priority.
One of the highlights of my time here has been participating in IHG (Inter-Hall Games). It's been an unforgettable experience for all three years, and it's really where the Eusoffian spirit shines through. Competing alongside my fellow Eusoffians, with all the energy and teamwork, has truly been one of the most memorable parts of my hall life. style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle; margin-left: 6px; font-size: 36px;">
Chester Ng Xu Yang, Year 3 Mechanical Engineering Major, Malaysia
I'm a Year 2 Life Sciences student from India, and I chose Eusoff Hall because I've always wanted a holistic university experience. I believe in developing skills that go beyond the classroom, and Eusoff provides the perfect balance of sports, cultural CCAs, and community service. I'm currently the Vice-Captain of the Road Relay team and also a dancer in DP, both of which have been great ways to grow and connect with others.To manage everything, I try to stay consistent. I set fixed times for my training sessions and practices, but I also make sure to stay flexible by reassessing my priorities each week.
One of my most memorable moments in hall has to be when Mrs. Rungnapa from my block, RF, gave me a token of good luck during our Chinese New Year celebration. It was a small gesture, but it really showed the sense of warmth and support within the Eusoff community.
(Umaymah 2nd Row from right, surrounded by her friends)
Umaymah Chikani, Year 2 Life Science Major, India
Hello all, I'm Nguyen Van Hai Dang, and I'm a Year 3 student majoring in English for Science and Technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. I am an exchange student. I've had the privilege of being part of the Eusoff Dance Crew (EDC), where I've loved every moment of dancing with such talented members. Performing at Culture Night has been one of my favorite experiences, and it's always exciting to showcase the result of months of hard work!
Choosing Eusoff Hall wasn't an easy decision. I did a lot of research on all seven NUS Halls of Residence, but Eusoff stood out as my dream hall. The welcoming community, tight-knit support system, variety of activities, and great facilities made it the ideal place for me to grow, make friends, and enjoy university life to the fullest.
Balancing hall life with academics at NUS can be challenging, but I've learned to manage my time well. I plan ahead to ensure I can fully immerse myself in hall activities, like Culture Night, Nightm(eh), La Soirée, and many other events, while staying on top of my studies. The chance to participate in so many activities, from dancing to attending workshops and HRB events, has been one of the highlights of my time here. One of my best memories at Eusoff must be performing at Culture Night with EDC. We spent nearly a month preparing, from learning the choreography to choosing our outfits and rehearsing for hours. There were tough moments, but with my friends by my side, we powered through. The performance itself was a huge success, and afterward, we celebrated with an epic after-party filled with laughter and stories. That night, I laughed harder than I ever have before-and I'll always cherish that memory!
Nguyen Van Hai Dang, Year 3 student English major, at Hanoi University of Science and Technology
