Soochow University’s Malaysian Graduate Receives National Overseas Student Award

At Soochow University’s 2025 commencement ceremony, one student stood out as she repeatedly moved between the audience and the stage to receive multiple awards. She was Ge-Wen Lim from Malaysia.

Lim became Soochow’s first recipient of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Overseas Chinese Graduates. The national award, limited to 40 students across Taiwan, recognizes top academic performers among overseas Chinese students.

Lim’s journey reflects four years of perseverance abroad. She arrived in Taiwan during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, facing a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Despite initial anxiety and loneliness, she soon felt Soochow University’s strong support network.

“The International Affairs Center contacted me right after I got my admission letter,” Lim said. “They guided me through every step before I even arrived in Taiwan.” University staff provided detailed support from enrollment to campus life adjustment.

On her first day at school, classmates had already assigned her to a study group and saved her a seat. She was quickly invited to join activities. “I never felt like an outsider,” she recalled. “Soochow felt like home from the beginning.”

Lim’s academic record is equally impressive. She earned the Academic Excellence Award, Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor, and an Outstanding Service Award for student organizations and volunteer work. As president of the Malaysian Student Association, she organized activities to support fellow overseas students.

This year, Lim’s parents and elder brother traveled from Malaysia to attend her graduation. Their presence marked an emotional highlight in her journey, offering strength and celebration after years of study abroad.

Soochow currently hosts 397 students from Hong Kong, Macau, and other regions overseas. Lim’s story exemplifies the resilience and dedication shared by many international students striving for success far from home.