As Nora from YWIES Tongxiang took the microphone, she began to navigate a challenging conversation.

This time, her audience was no longer made up of familiar teachers and classmates, but professors from Columbia Business School and executives from global giants like Google and Philips.

On the stage of the Youth Model Entrepreneur Competition (YMEC), Nora and her international team had to do more than just deliver a rigorous business proposal. They needed to channel their youthful spirit to truly resonate with the world's top business minds.

From initial apprehension to the confident poise that secured second place in the YMEC Finals, Nora's performance in this elite competition is a microcosm of her growth — a testament to thriving within the diverse educational soil of an international school.

Source: YMEC China Official Website

01

Real Talk, Real Business

PART 01

As the only Ivy League business competition dedicated to youth, YMEC is renowned for its rigorous selection standards and practical focus. Anchored in the cutting-edge entrepreneurial theories of Columbia Business School, the programme aims to empower the next generation and cultivate future business leaders.

Its curriculum, built on core MBA modules, emphasizes the philosophy of "Learning by Doing." For Nora, this was far more than a competition; it was a microcosm of the entire entrepreneurial journey.

It's actually very similar to how we learn at school," recalls Nora. "It's not about rote memorization, but about solving real problems.

Competing in English within a "multinational coalition," Nora and her teammates collaborated across time zones as a daily reality. During topic selection, her keen insight proved vital. Combining her passion for biology with rigorous survey data, she guided the team to strategically target the "Pet Industry."

"I'd score my leadership a 9." Confident in her teamwork, Nora played a pivotal role throughout, orchestrating everything from market surveys to financial forecasts and pitch preps.

Despite initial nerves under the scrutiny of industry experts, a judge's advice left a lasting mark: "Learn to empathize with the consumer." This phrase became a key for Nora, unlocking the realization that business isn't just about cold data, but about human insight and genuine care.

02

Empowering Language and Mindset

PART 02

Nora feels the school's supportive atmosphere was key to helping her adapt to the rigorous competition.

"My greatest strength lies in the school's fully immersive English environment and its diverse cultural vibe."

While the competition demanded exceptional language skills, Nora's immersion in the school's English environment allowed her to draft business plans and pitch effortlessly. More importantly, her cross-cultural communication skills helped her quickly bridge gaps with diverse teammates and build consensus.

Furthermore, her rich extracurricular experience paid off perfectly. Her frequent roles as a school event host honed her stage presence and adaptability, while her time in the Business Club meant fundamental concepts were already second nature to her.

03

A New Field of Vision

PART 03

Nora is far more than just a business aspirant. Beyond her accolades in the commercial sphere, she possesses a steadfast passion for scientific inquiry.

Though only in Grade 9, Nora has already charted her course toward Biochemistry and Pharmacology, with Imperial College London set as her dream destination.

"I've learned the power of business logic, but I plan to wield that mindset to tackle practical problems in the scientific field."

Supported by our Heads of Secondary and Chemistry teacher Ms Lily Yuan, Nora has found her path. Ms Yuan's guidance on top-tier competitions and course selection has turned Nora's uncertainty into confidence, acting as both a mentor and a friend.

Guided by her teachers, Nora hit the accelerator early on a path that balances both the arts and sciences.

Academically, Nora's excellence earned her an IGCSE scholarship, and she is now preparing intensively for the JCCO Chemistry contest and Computer Science exams. Beyond campus, the YCYW Educational Futures Division opened doors for Nora to conduct experiments at the Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR) and rotate through various departments at Raffles Hospital Chongqing.

Reflecting on this experience, Nora was deeply moved: "Standing in the labs and hospitals, I saw exactly how science changes lives. It felt so real, and it cemented my decision to pursue this field."

In her free time, Nora is a regular at the Frisbee club. The physical activity provides a simple but effective recharge, helping her maintain clarity and vitality amidst the pressure of competition.

From business pitches at Columbia to precision work in the lab; from hosting under the spotlight to chasing Frisbees on the field.

More than just excellence, Nora represents possibility. Her journey proves that future leaders cannot be defined by a single label — showing us how business thinking empowers science, and how the humanities can bring warmth to cold logic.

As she learned from the competition, whether drafting a business plan, conducting an experiment, or planning her life, the key is always 'Learning by Doing.' It is through action that we define the future.