The Importance of Being Idle I often find salvation on the top deck of a public bus. The Buddha is commonly believed to have said: “To be idle is a short road to death […] foolish people are idle”. (According to an online site that exposes “Fake Buddha Quotes”, this was actually said by Dwight Goddard, a 20th century Buddhism enthusiast. But I digress.) Ironically, I found this quote on the bus home from school, idly reading proverbs of dubious authenticity...

Brown genuinely believes in in its students; its Open Curriculum offers me the freedom to explore my interests while placing faith in my responsibility to steer my own education. This emphasis on both liberty and ownership can seem daunting. However, Brown’s Open Curriculum speaks to me, and given the chance, I would make the most of it. I thrive in environments that promote opportunity and choice. I have a broad range of interests. I would love to engage myself...

My community, Singapore, is multicultural. Coincidentally, so is my family. A classmate once told me, “We can’t be best friends. You’re a different colour”. Lunchtime in primary school showed me that diversity could mean all races under one roof, but still segregated by tables. Singapore is famously cosmopolitan. But, obviously, tolerance doesn’t necessarily mean acceptance. My national community taught me an important lesson. The wider world remains split by lines my biracial family erased. We’re always...