World of Learning: Grade 10 Students Step into the Professional World
By UWCSEA Communications Team and Clare Kiersey
4 August 2026
For UWCSEA East students in the Grade 10 UWCSEA Programme, the World of Learning (WOL) is a major highlight of the year, where students spend a week-long career exploration that takes them out of the classroom and into various industries across the globe. The goal is simple: to give students an inside look at day-to-day professional life and teach them real-world skills that cannot be replicated in a school setting.
Before stepping into a workplace, students spent time learning the fundamentals of job hunting: drafting CVs, writing cover letters, and reaching out to organisations to secure their own placements. This preparation all led up to the WOL week, where students traded their regular school routines for hands-on professional environments.
This year’s participation reflects the incredible scope of the World of Learning week:
- 259 students completed placements.
- Students were hosted by 217 unique hosts and organisations.
- 93 placements were directly supported by the school.
- 37 students travelled abroad for their placements.
- 100% of participants reported having a valuable learning experience.
Students Share Their World of Learning Experiences
For many students, stepping out of the classroom and into a professional environment provided much-needed clarity on their future academic and career paths. The opportunity to witness the daily realities of a specific field helped transform abstract interests into concrete goals, giving them a firsthand look at the dedication required to succeed.
Neil spent his week at The ENT Clinic, observing doctors during consultations for conditions like sleep apnoea and inner ear disease. The experience impacted his university goals.
I have truly learnt more than I could ever have expected, and I really do feel like this internship has helped me find my 'calling'. In shadowing doctors, I've been so inspired by their communication and ability to explain really complex science in a way that's tangible and real to concerned patients. Seeing the way that doctors help patients through their most difficult moments seems so fulfilling to me. It's definitely the most motivating factor I've had to pursue medicine at university, which I'm now working towards."
– Neil, Grade 10, UWCSEA East
Beyond technical knowledge, other students discovered immense value in observing real people in real jobs. They watched how experienced professionals build trust, manage interpersonal relationships, and adapt their communication styles to meet the unique needs of different individuals—soft skills that are essential in the working world but difficult to learn from a textbook.
Yishan, who secured a placement at Peak Gym, shadowed different trainers to understand the fitness and wellness industry. "I learned so much from shadowing different trainers," Yishan reflected. "It was interesting to see how differently they worked with clients and how much thought goes into helping people reach their goals. It was a really enjoyable experience and definitely one of the highlights of my year."
Placement Highlights
With 259 students participating in this year's programme, the sheer variety of industries explored highlights the unique passions and ambitions of our Grade 10 cohort. Rather than sticking to the familiar, students ventured into the unknown—analysing financial markets, assisting with medical procedures, and even travelling abroad to understand global economics. Here is a closer look at the impressive work some of our students were doing during their World of Learning week:
Consulting and Corporate Strategy
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Zoya (McKinsey & Company): Worked alongside a Senior Business Analyst to propose the integrated adoption of AI in Small-Medium Enterprises.
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Dayn (Boston Consulting Group): Shadowed consultants in client offices, summarising meetings and learning the realities of navigating complex client challenges.
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Edward (Dell Technologies): Delivered a full enterprise device strategy pitch for a mock retail client to a panel of Dell leaders.
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Gabe (EY): Tasked with making a valuation for a private company using the financial statements of public companies.
Finance, Venture Capital and Law
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Aanandi (KPMG): Working in the Mergers & Acquisitions department, she built a presentation analysing the LVMH acquisition of Tiffany & Co..
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Tyler (Integra Partners): Travelled across South East Asia to embed with tech portfolio companies, producing video assets for growth-stage investors.
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Cici (Freshfields): Shadowed a legal associate, proofreading tax documents and drafting summaries of legal updates for the firm's internal newsletter.
Science, Engineering and Healthcare
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Ameyaa (Applied Materials): Visited cleanrooms and chemistry labs to learn the complex physics and chemistry behind semiconductor chip manufacturing.
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Kai (Singapore Eye Research Institute): Gained firsthand exposure to clinical lab procedures, including immunofluorescence imaging and tissue culturing.
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Amaya (Tan Tock Seng Hospital): Shadowed a surgical team, observing the coordination and precision required during live procedures.
Unique and International Placements
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Aaryaman (IFF): Rotated through teams at the S&P 500 fragrance giant, testing scent variations in the lab and simulating the creation of high-end perfumes.
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Samaya (Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Bhutan): Worked directly with the Invest section to prepare for an upcoming roadshow and study foreign direct investment.
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Dylan (World Wildlife Fund): Created educational materials on Singapore's ecosystems and assisted with weekend nature walks to monitor specific species populations.
Shaping Future Pathways
World of Learning gives Grade 10 students an opportunity to explore their interests before moving on to Grade 11, where they must choose their IB subjects. During this week, students can either explore entirely new industries or gain firsthand experience in a field they have always wanted to pursue. By learning directly from professionals, students gain a realistic understanding of what to expect in the workplace, which helps them make more informed decisions about their future studies and career paths.
Check out these photos from our students' World of Learning experiences!
Aeroviation
Square Peg
PEAK Gym
Hapag-Lloyd
Dell Technologies
Dell Technologies
McKinsey & Company
Bank of Singapore
Us Therapy
Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) in Bhutan
Marsh
Fujiwara Capital Advisors
Suntory Beverage & Food
DHL
Duxton Asset Management
Applied Materials
Starlight Eye Clinic
International Flavours & Fragrances
Cebu Pacific Air
Carrier
UWCSEA Dover Primary School
Smilefocus Dental Clinic
UWCSEA Dover Campus Planning Department
The Visiting Vets
IMPLS Entertainment (Team Paper Rex)
SynPhNe
FlexTrade
To our hosts: Thank You!
The success of World of Learning relies entirely on the willingness of professionals to open their doors to our High School students. Parents, alumni, and local community members stepped up in massive numbers to mentor and guide students.
We owe a huge thank you to our long-time supporters who consistently welcome our students into their teams, including the Autism Recovery Network (ARN), Gusta Sourdough Pizzeria, Freshfields, the Singapore Eye Research Institute, and Aero Inspection. We are equally grateful to the new host organisations joining the programme in 2026, including Dell Technologies and McKinsey & Company.