05-06-2026
In a fast-paced world, Michelle chose the opposite: slow, deep reading and thoughtful writing. That quiet approach has earned her a place at Oxford to study English Language and Literature - one of the world’s top programmes and a highly competitive field for Asian students.
Reading and writing have never been tasks for Michelle, but conversations with herself and with life. She reads slowly and widely - from Shakespeare to Gibran. Her own writing began with care for animals. She has rescued 15 animals at home. Her story A Thousand Paper Cranes tells of two parrots, one lost to death and one to flight, and how she learned to face goodbye.
An introvert by nature, Michelle pushed herself to organise the Huitong Inter-School Talent Show for animal welfare. With support from Huitong’s counsellors, she brought together students from over ten schools. Ticket donations went to a local animal rescue centre. It was a real challenge - but passion carried it through.
Michelle has found expression also in theatre (The Importance of Being Earnest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), music (violin since childhood, performing with the school orchestra), languages (six in total, including French at Huitong), and debate (national runner-up, founder of Huitong Debate Club).
Her academic direction became clear at Huitong. She took a broad range of subjects - Environmental Science, Biology, Statistics, Calculus, Economics, advanced English Literature, French, Linguistics, and Performing Arts. The turning point came in Mr Lehman’s English class. “In the first lesson, the teacher asked if I wanted to go deeper. I felt truly seen.”
In a world that wants everything fast, her story says something different. Slow doesn't mean behind. It means growing deep roots. It means being true to yourself. It means giving your passion time to become something big.
This future Oxford student is writing her own future - gently, steadily, in her own time.
