Meet Erynn Suhaime, an outstanding graduate of RP Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science, who recently took the spotlight at the Healthcare Scholarships Award Ceremony 2023. She received the prestigious Healthcare Merit Award in a grand ceremony held on 21 July 2023 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

What's next for Erynn's journey? She's gearing up to embark on a new adventure – studying Physiotherapy at the Singapore Institute of Technology.

"This scholarship is my ticket to making a real impact in the healthcare industry, allowing me to give back to the community that has given me so much."

Erynn's passion for healthcare was ignited during a challenging period in her life. In her final year at RP, her father suffered a stroke, a tumultuous time for her family. However, it was the remarkable team of doctors and nurses who not only aided her father's recovery but also helped him regain his ability to work that left an indelible mark on Erynn's heart. It was then that she discovered her true calling in healthcare.

But that's not all – Erynn's journey was further enriched by her internship at St Joseph's Home during her time at RP. There, she had the privilege of working alongside dedicated allied health professionals and physiotherapists, providing care to elderly residents. The experience was incredibly fulfilling and played a pivotal role in confirming her decision to pursue a career in healthcare.

Meet Iffah Khairina and Muhammad Syafiq, two outstanding DOAL students whose 20-week internship at Outdoor School Singapore (OSS) was nothing short of transformative. At OSS, nestled in the heart of Mountbatten, they wore multiple hats as instructors, logistics coordinators, and media enthusiasts, primarily working in the great outdoors.

Their mission? Leading young explorers on thrilling adventures in local parks and nature reserves, a task requiring creativity and a unique connection with children. Syafiq shared, "It's not easy holding the children's attention in the outdoors. Iffah and I have learnt to connect with the young ones and keep things fun while they learn about nature."

Iffah recounted a remarkable encounter with monkeys during an expedition, seizing the moment to turn it into an enriching experiential-learning opportunity: "The kids and I even had a close encounter with monkeys in the reserves, just steps away! I had to keep my cool and use it as an experiential-learning moment with the children - to observe animal behaviour up close."

"DOAL not only provided us with knowledge but also taught us to be adaptable and flexible. We learn to adapt, understand and engage with children effectively, ensuring their enjoyment and learning go hand in hand."

Syafiq also highlighted the value of exposing young minds to nature. He said, "The exposure to teaching and working with younger children was eye-opening. We also had the opportunity to delve into media content creation, which was a unique learning experience."

Iffah's and Syafiq's internship at OSS was more than an academic chapter. It was a profound adventure of personal growth and learning; and creating unforgettable memories in the heart of nature. Their story stands as a testament to the transformative power of experiential education and the joy of igniting young minds in the great outdoors.

RP School of Sports, Health and Leisure student Cheyenne Phua lost her vision due to glaucoma at birth. While growing up, she learnt to rely on her other senses to experience the world.

Impaired vision has not stopped Cheyenne from wanting to make a positive impact on the lives of others. The desire led her to pursue a Diploma in Health Management & Promotion, with the aim to better understand health-related topics and inspire healthy living among others.

Recently, Cheyenne completed her 20-week internship at Guide Dogs Singapore where she helped plan wellness programmes for staff and clients with vision impairment. Additionally, she hosted a series of health-themed podcasts and conducted IT training for her clients. Looking towards the future, Cheyenne plans to further her studies in nutrition.

“I am keen to explore nutrition studies as I firmly believe that dietary habits impact our health. With my expertise in health management and promotion, I hope to equip others with health tips to make informed choices during meals, ultimately contributing to a healthier Singapore.”

Year 2 Health Management & Promotion (DHMP) student, Arina Binti Mohamed is passionate about keeping children active and healthy through sports.

With a NITEC in Fitness Training, Arina navigated through RP’s Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) with confidence. RP was Arina’s first choice for EAE as it was the only polytechnic that offered a course which could bring her closer to the goal of specialising in health promotion, in line with her aspiration to become a health educator.

“DHMP’s comprehensive health and sports-centric modules will help me become an effective health advocate for the community, especially for kids.”

In 2022, Arina embarked on a 13-week class project to plan and execute exercise activities for the children at Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre that included dodgeball and Zumba sessions. This training helped to sharpen her instructional skills for kids and at the same time instilled life values such as teamwork, respect, and courage.

During her free time, Arina freelances as a sports and fitness coach at Infiniti Kids. She loves making a positive impact in the children’s lives, and in turn, the parents’ lives too!