On top of academic pursuits, NUS Business School students give themselves to a variety of co-curricular interests and passions. In this interview feature, we celebrate and tell the story of undergraduate student Paul Chow’s recent climbing expedition in Nepal with the NUS Mountaineering team. Paul recounts his end-to-end journey, and draws interesting parallels between the sport and study of business.
Q: Why did you start mountaineering?
A: I’ve always enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors and exploring trails overseas. – You’d be hard pressed to find the the tranquility, joy and spirituality that nature offers anywhere else. My love for nature imbued in me an affinity for adventure which inspired me to explore the unknown and push my limits. Eventually weekend hikes and treks failed to satisfy, and I turned to mountaineering. The sport presented an all-in-one package – the chance to pursue great adventure and challenge myself in an environment that I deeply love and appreciate. Doing it alongside like-minded individuals with the same passion further enriched my experiences.
NUS Mountaineering team’s first steps into Langtang Valley in Nepal
Q: What were the high points of this expedition to the Baden Powell Scouts Peak in Nepal?
A: There were many over the course of the trip, the first being when we left civilisation behind and stepped in the beauty of Langtang Valley. It was surreal. For many of us it was our first time travelling since the pandemic hit, and it felt extremely liberating being in the open country with nature presented to you in its bare form.
Another high point was of course summiting the mountain. It was the final goal we spent months training for, and a symbol the triumph of our human spirit over adversity. When we were all gathered upon the small rocky outcrop of snow and ice – the summit of Baden-Powell peak – it was a moment of pure elation. Standing on that summit, I realised I stood at the crux of passion and dare; and for the first time in a long while I reconnected with a lifelong passion.
Paul taking a breather against the majestic Himalayan mountains
Q: What challenges did you face during this expedition, and how did you overcome them?
A: The expedition was both physical and mentally demanding, and took up every ounce of our strength and willpower. One moment in particular was at the village of Kyanjin Gomba, a small town nestled beneath the mountains and our last point of civilisation. We had just finished our acclimatisation climb to Kyanjin Ri at the 4200-metre altitude and had returned to the village to rest. However, at this altitude the air was getting thinner and I started to display mild symptoms of Altitude sickness. This took a huge toll on my morale and physicality, and I started to worry that I would not be able to carry on. However, with the encouragement of my teammates and my buddy who helped nurse me back to health, I was able to regain my strength to continue with the climb. It was through the uplifting words of my teammates that I was emboldened to carry on despite the physical limitations.
The breakfast view at lower base camp
Q: Why did you choose to study at NUS BIZ?
A: I chose NUS Business because of its multi-faceted approach to business. It offers many specialisations and wide range of modules that introduce us to the different areas of business, particularly in our first and second year. Moreover, I knew studying at NUS promised a vibrant student life where my time in school would not be limited to just the classroom. Both NUS and its business school offer a panoply of opportunities for students to learn and grow both in and out of the classroom. In fact I’m currently preparing to go for my semester exchange with one of NUS Business’s partner universities!
Q: Are there parallels between your NUS Business School journey and mountaineering?
A: Business seminar classes and project presentations may seem entirely different from scaling alps with axes and crampons. While they may indeed be innately different activities, both command the same values of discipline and hard work. For mountaineering we had team trainings four to five times a week on top of our own personal training. We had to stay disciplined and focused in our training and as our efforts translated directly to our climbing performance. In my Business school journey, the rigour of the academic curriculum placed a similar demand on me in that I had to be consistent with my work and stay disciplined to keep up.
Ultimately, I’d say that these two separate facets of my life overlap in terms of the values they’ve imbued in me – such as discipline, perseverance and passion. Both have been key and instrumental in moulding my character, and making me who I am today. It’s not been easy juggling my academics with my passion but I do believe that if you want something bad enough, you’ll make it happen.
Q: How has it been starting a university education in the midst of a global pandemic, and what are your main learning points?
A: Starting University during a global pandemic definitely presented many challengers. It confined classroom learning to Zoom rooms and webinars – a medium of teaching many of us were unfamiliar with but were forced to adapt to. Although it made interactions with other students limited it wasn’t completely impossible and I still met many friends along the way both within and outside my faculty. I learnt that despite the challenges placed in front of you there’s always a way to persevere and work around it.
Paul trying his hand at ice climbing
Q: What has mountaineering taught you about life?
Mountaineering has taught me that anything is possible as long as you’re committed to putting in the work. I used to think climbing mountains was an activity reserved for the ultra-fit and something experienced only through documentaries and movies.
But this successful expedition has proven otherwise! What I thought was out of reach has become my reality, and I look forward to pushing myself further, not only in mountaineering but with all my other goals.
Paul and his team traversing the icy slopes of the Nepalese mountain range
The NUS Mountaineering team basking in their moment of victory at the Baden Powell Scouts Peak
Q: What are your career aspirations?
A: I have many aspirations and hope to eventually find (or create) a role which is the perfect convergence of my passions and skills. I would love to work in an outdoor or adventure company and maybe also take on a position which allows me to leverage on the marketing skills I’ve learnt in NUS.
The stunning and rewarding view that greeted the team at the summit.
