"She grew up in the slums of Singapore but she worked hard at school and won a scholarship. She put herself through medical school and became a doctor."
It is an achievement that has pushed Shang-Chin (17) to excel in class, particularly in languages.
She has won the Alliance Francaise Concours Orales (2005), won school General Excellence with Diligence Awards for the past five years, gained 1st in Chinese (2005), French (2006-07), Japanese (2006-07) and English (2007) and has been studying 100-level English at the University of Otago this year.
Travelling a lot at a young age convinced Shang-Chin that communication was important - especially at home where she had to speak English and Chinese because not all family members could speak both.
She also learned communication could open a world of opportunity to her on a global level and she hopes to put her four languages to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a New Zealand ambassador in China.
Shang-Chin says it is ironic that one of the greatest challenges she faces on a daily basis is dealing with people who think she is a "foreigner", despite the fact she was born and raised in Dunedin and English is her first language.
"People take one look at me and think I can't speak English. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover."
Achievements: Academic Blues Awards (2006-08); NCEA level 1 excellence (2006), level 2 excellence (2007); Australian English Competition distinction (2006-07); Amnesty International student leader (2005-08); school magazine editor (2007-08); peer support (2007); social justice committee (2007).
Role model: Mum.
Hopes for the future: To become a diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.