Simran Singh, Class of 2008
Davis United World College Scholar
United World College of South East Asia

Born: Bombay, India
Lived in: India, Hong Kong, and Singapore
Major: International Affairs

Simran's early years were spent in India where she grew up surrounded by a loving and supportive family. At the age of 14, Simran was told by her father, a manager in the shipping industry, that the family was moving to Hong Kong. Rather than resist the move and the changes it would bring, Simran embraced it. Today she recognizes that the move changed her life and her character in many different ways. She now considers herself "a nomad at heart."

After two years in Hong Kong at South Island School, Simran's dad announced another move--this time to Singapore, where Simran enrolled at United World College of South East Asia. She quickly settled into the rigorous IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum and immersed herself in various volunteer activities such as Initiative for Peace, Global Concerns, and MINDS-Social Service.

At the start of her senior year at UWC, Simran had to think seriously about higher education and where she wanted to study. Her dream--from the time that she was a little girl--was studying in the US. Simran applied to seven colleges in the US. She was accepted at all of them. She chose Lewis & Clark because of the Davis United World College grant that was offered and because "Lewis & Clark was more international, had more TCKs (Third-Culture Kids), and was better about communicating with me than all of the other schools I applied to."

"I could never have studied at Lewis & Clark, or in the US, without the support of the Davis United World College Scholarship and the financial support offered by L&C," said Singh. "For me, the Davis UWC scholarship opened up a world of opportunity."

Simran arrived at Lewis & Clark in the fall of 2004. She declared international affairs as her major, and relishes the fact that she can explore within the liberal arts curriculum. She ihas lived in Akin, the Multicultural Hall, for all four years at the College. "It's been great! I've had roommates from all over the world and we've gotten along perfectly." As for the "mono-culture" that Simran feared she would find at L&C, she says, "I have been pleasantly surprised at the tolerance shown at L&C and in Portland. In truth, it has been easier for me to integrate in Portland than it was in Hong Kong."

Simran is quite involved in campus activities, despite a very heavy course load. She was elected as ISLC (International Students of L&C) Activities Chair in her sophomore year and will serve as a member of the TCK Advisory Board this fall. She helped prepare food for the fall Multicultural Fair in Akin and the campus-wide International Fair. She has also signed up for Model UN, another interest of hers.

Simran is still considering her future plans, but hopes to be involved in a career that combines her interest in AIDS, social/community service, and international travel.