The Modern Polymath | Joan Lim (Year 2, NUS College of Humanities and Sciences)

Science can explain the ‘what’ and ‘how’ but the humanities explains the ‘why.’

That is one of the reasons why undergraduate Joan Lim, 20, made the radical choice to study both Philosophy and Life Science — an unusual combination of subjects.

The passionate student is in her second year at NUS, where she has embarked on a double major at the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS).

While some might baulk at having to juggle the two disciplines, Joan is never too busy to learn something new.

“I am someone who is deeply curious about the world and I want to learn as much as possible from different perspectives, whether it is Chinese philosophy, jazz, film or marine biology,” she says.

A Thirst for the Truth
It was Joan's compulsory philosophy class in secondary school that first opened her eyes to the wonders of the subject and how fundamental it was in helping her understand other humanities subjects.

As a child, growing up in a nature-loving family also imbued Joan with a knack for the life sciences. She even did a two-month-long internship in JC with St. John's Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML), where she spent two weeks on the island conducting experiments on coral feeding under the guidance of NUS researchers. Given that increased bleaching in corals means they can no longer rely on photosynthesis for food, Joan’s team researched the responses of corals to a variety of food types such as sediment, brine shrimp and even plastic glitter, which was used to simulate plastic.

So when the golden opportunity came to study both of her interests without sacrificing either, she jumped at it.

Cross-Pollinating
Though many have asked her which discipline she prefers, Joan is adamant that both subjects hold equal weight and room in her heart. "I would have been bored studying just one subject. This way, I use both sides of my brain!" she says, jokingly.

She also appreciates how NUS promotes holistic learning through mandated core classes where students get to interact with students from other faculties.

One particular course Joan fell in love with was Design Thinking, which required students from different majors to gather around a table and collectively brainstorm how to build a prototype with just cardboard and rolls of tape.

"The element of fun fosters a sense of openness and helps me approach problem-solving from different perspectives," Joan enthuses.

Active Learning
As someone eager to learn more about what the world has to offer, Joan is particularly fond of how NUS has a practical and hands-on approach to learning. Reflecting on her time as a student of the Life Science course Ecology and Environment, Joan recalls how her professor Mr Sivasothi N. taught them about Singapore's diverse flora and fauna by bringing them on nature walks at various parks.

“NUS is a competitive school so many have the misconception that it’s mainly about grades and studying. But there are so many off-site experiential learning opportunities,” she says.

She also credits Mr Jonathan Sim, an Instructor at the Philosophy department, for mentoring her. His exuberant passion for Chinese Philosophy piqued her own interest in it.

After many requests from Joan’s seniors to learn more about Chinese philosophy, Mr Sim agreed to craft a curriculum on Confucianism under the Design-Your-Own-Module programme at NUS’ Summer School, which Joan was delighted to attend. She was struck by how diversity is a central part of Confucius’ notion of harmony, and could immediately see that importance of accommodating and accepting each other’s differences in her daily life.

Interpersonal Intelligence
Now, thrilled to be back on campus after spending her first year in Zoom classrooms, she revels in the spontaneity of face-to-face encounters with fellow students. “I see a lot of value in physical interactions! There’s a certain warmth to in-person human interaction that really speaks to how we are relational beings, ” she explains.

Outside of studying, Joan also spends a lot of time at extra-curricular activities as a genuine and heartfelt way to meet students from various facilities and walks of life. Joining the Varsity Christian Fellowship (VCF) , in particular, played a huge role in her university life as she learned how to love and care for her fellow students, whether it be through befriending exchange students or making exam care packs to encourage her friends. Joan laughingly reveals a personal connection to VCF: “It was actually where my parents met!”

She is also a member of the International Friendship Group Committee in VCF, which offers international students authentic local experiences through cultural events, open houses and other activities. “Just being in a space with different people is essential to me,” says Joan.

Connecting through Creativity
Joan is also passionate about the arts — as one might expect from a polymath!

A film enthusiast, she spontaneously entered — and eventually won — a short film competition called the Singapore Art Museum Project in 2020 that gave contestants only 48 hours to create a film based on a specific theme. “I like the challenge of being forced to think creatively and out of the box,” she adds.

In a recent project for the NUS Centre for the Arts, she decorated a Steinway piano by imprinting it with the painted hands of multiple NUS students, professors and alumni.  Explaining the thought process behind her design choice, she says, “I could have painted it myself but I felt that this was more meaningful, and it allowed me to approach and meet new people.”

To Joan, this approach encapsulates the NUS culture as one that is filled with a sense of community, where people share what they have learnt and support each other.

Open-mindedness
Looking ahead at all the opportunities NUS has to offer, Joan is enthusiastic about participating in the upcoming Student Exchange Programme. She hopes to travel to either Canada or New Zealand to experience their temperate climates and the wildlife of a different continent.

She is also keen to continue studying environmental ethics, which marries her love for both philosophy and the life sciences.

It is no wonder, then, that Joan’s advice to juniors is simple: “Keep an open mind and remember that there’s always something to learn.”

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This story first appeared on the NUS Office of Admissions website in January 2023.