JEREMY BOO, 22
MASS COMMUNICATION GRADUATE


AN ADVENTUROUS JOURNALIST
Jeremy spent 10 days in the slums of Manila, Philippines, on a journalism study trip. The eye-opening expedition led to a 9-page spread in The Straits Times, winning him a prestigious award at the International Committee of the Red Cross Young Reporter Competition. The 22-year-old was then invited to travel to war-torn Georgia. These two expeditions gave him the opportunity to hone his journalistic skills.

YOU ENCOUNTERED A NERVE-WRECKING EXPERIENCE IN MANILA! TELL US MORE.
I was the student leader of that journalism trip, and I was prepared to write an article highlighting the situation of the slums in the city. I was carrying out an interview when I thought I heard a rifle being cocked. It was quite unexpected and I didn’t know what to do.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SIMILARLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IN GEORGIA, A COUNTRY THAT’S SUFFERING FROM THE AFTERMATH OF WAR?
The country is still mired in diplomatic and political conflict, but I didn’t feel that my life was in danger at any point. Despite being war-torn, you see art pieces dotting the city streets and it was very nice. When I was there, I went close to the Administrative Border Lines. The people on the other side of the border identified themselves as Georgians, but taking a single step across the border would classify them as illegals. The border is just a narrow river, but crossing it would make them criminals. You could defi nitely feel the emotional tension.

HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION IN NGEE ANN PREPARE YOU FOR SUCH AN EXCITING START IN JOURNALISM?
I have always been interested in journalism and humanitarian issues. Ngee Ann gave me a foundation where I built my interests and skills in journalism by reading, practising, and editing publications. I was given a lot of freedom to explore my interests and strengths in journalism, photography and new media.

ANY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I’m working on an independent documentary and social media campaign about dementia, with the support of the Lien Foundation. I’ve also set up a company called Hachisu together with a friend from Mass Communication. We provide design and editorial services that give businesses a personalised touch. We intend to use our earnings from the company to continue making documentaries and stories.

ANY INTERESTING INCIDENTS TO SHARE?
I was tasked to participate in an emergency caesarean section when the surgeon’s assistant was late. I was the only person around at that moment, and the surgeon asked me, despite the fact that I have never done anything like that before! The surgeon told me that all I needed to do was to follow his instructions. When the surgeon asked me to press down on the patient’s tummy to push the baby out, all I heard was “Ouch!” I realised I was exerting pressure at the wrong place. I got it right quickly of course.
 
HOW DID YOUR TIME IN NP CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR CAREER IN NURSING?
The biggest bonus was when I decided to further my studies at the University of Queensland; I received a two-year exemption because of my education in NP! The single year that I spent at the university was a breeze, since it was very similar to what I have already learnt in NP.

NOW THAT YOU’VE ACHIEVED YOUR DREAM JOB, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I will probably be working in Brisbane for the next five years — the hospital has nominated me for a permanent residency in Australia. I also hope to do a Masters of Nursing Studies at the University of Queensland before I return to Singapore.

Cheryl (left) and a colleague look happy in their medical scrubs