一眨眼, i’ve been back in Singapore for over 2 weeks. My past 3+ months in the States really do feel like a dream. An unforgettable and memorable one. I’m truly am grateful for having such an opportunity. Coming home and reflecting on my trip there, I’ve been asking myself what have I taken out from my stay there. Have I growth to be a better person, more mature and independent? I guess I would never really know the answer as only time would tell.
But being immerse in a very different lifestyle and environment, I got a chance to know more about myself, be exposed to a very different education system and come to know about the things I like and dislike about Singapore.
~~
Being a 3 months exchange students without a need to worry about grades, I was able to go all out to explore Seattle, even though at times I was alone. Not say I wasn’t worried about my safety, but I learned to be alert and be aware of my surroundings. My attitude was that since I’m already here, I should make full use of my time and I realized I do really like exploring and discovering new things and places everyday! Now I’m armed with the skills to plan my own oversea trips :)
I also came to know that personal space is very important to me. That I must have a small little space I can go to at the end of the day to be alone. Something which I didn’t know means so much to me.
I also came to learn not to be too stress out when it comes to planning because most of the time, nothing would go according to plan. Something which I experience a lot during the last 4 months, but have learned to cope with. So just relax and play by ear :)
Through the wide range of subject I studied in UW (from geography which led me to appreciate the beauty around me, to sociology which gave me an understanding of issues pertaining to education, globalization and conflict; from architecture history which led me to understand why certain buildings are built as such and the history behind it, to learning more about construction materials), I came to be interested in stuff like the US history and many other topics. Guess I have a wide range of different books to read for now! :D
~~
The education system for both Singapore and America is very different. I cannot say that my view represent the whole of US since I was only in Seattle. But based on my study in Seattle, I could say that both systems have their pros and cons and if only they could be combined.
In UW, I got to experience how vocal Americans are in class. Hands would just rise in the middle of lectures, and questions and views would just be voiced out. In class, only a notebook and pen is needed, no sight of any lecture notes or pencil box. Study sessions are organized at night by the UW for most foundation classes. (Something I did not expect to find in a university.) Field trips are organized to let students come in contact with what they have learned in class. But what was disappointing was the structure of the exams as they are really just 死背. Singapore has always been criticized about route learning but I guess we are actually not as bad as we thought, especially when it comes to exam. At least we have to try and apply what we have learned to the questions. So if only how classes are conducted in UW can be combined with the exam style of Singapore, I guess it would provide a very good learning experience for the student.
Another thing that surprises me was that a lot of people are interested in graduate studies back in the States. It is quite common to hear people mentioning that they would be entering graduate school after they graduate from college.
~~
On my way back to Singapore, from Narita Airport, the plane was filled with Singaporeans and I heard the familiar Singapore accent. And I have to admit it actually felt weird and doesn’t sound nice. I came to realize how foreigners must have felt to hear Singlish. I guess being away made me more conscious of it and the importance of speaking good English. But I can say trying to speak proper English for the last few months is not an easy thing to do but it would be good to keep it up. :)
Leaving Seattle means leaving behind good customer service (and the tips!) and meeting friendly people that would strike up random conversation with you. Even so, to befriend Americans, I realize Asians must generally always take the initiative to go up to them and get to know them.
To foreigners, Singapore is just a country that bans chewing gum. To tell them more about Singapore is a manageable feat, but I learn that it becomes a dilemma when explaining about politics in Singapore. I will always remember the question Cynthea’s professor asked her: why Singapore is ranked no. 1 in anti-corruption, but yet ranked one of the last few for human rights.
But nevertheless, home is always the best no matter what. Especially the food. :p
~~
My experience in Seattle had definitely made 2008 an eventful one for me. I’m truly glad I created this blog to record down my experiences, even though I had to discipline myself to really sit down and blog. :p It would definitely be enjoyable to read through it in a few years time!
For now, I know I want to keep up my Seattle spirit of exploring even though I’m back in small Singapore and not in a vast piece of land surrounded by mountains. No matter how small Singapore is, there are definitely places to explore! Looking forward to my next venture into a completely foreign country!
Welcome 2009! Happy New Year to everyone!
But being immerse in a very different lifestyle and environment, I got a chance to know more about myself, be exposed to a very different education system and come to know about the things I like and dislike about Singapore.
~~
Being a 3 months exchange students without a need to worry about grades, I was able to go all out to explore Seattle, even though at times I was alone. Not say I wasn’t worried about my safety, but I learned to be alert and be aware of my surroundings. My attitude was that since I’m already here, I should make full use of my time and I realized I do really like exploring and discovering new things and places everyday! Now I’m armed with the skills to plan my own oversea trips :)
I also came to know that personal space is very important to me. That I must have a small little space I can go to at the end of the day to be alone. Something which I didn’t know means so much to me.
I also came to learn not to be too stress out when it comes to planning because most of the time, nothing would go according to plan. Something which I experience a lot during the last 4 months, but have learned to cope with. So just relax and play by ear :)
Through the wide range of subject I studied in UW (from geography which led me to appreciate the beauty around me, to sociology which gave me an understanding of issues pertaining to education, globalization and conflict; from architecture history which led me to understand why certain buildings are built as such and the history behind it, to learning more about construction materials), I came to be interested in stuff like the US history and many other topics. Guess I have a wide range of different books to read for now! :D
~~
The education system for both Singapore and America is very different. I cannot say that my view represent the whole of US since I was only in Seattle. But based on my study in Seattle, I could say that both systems have their pros and cons and if only they could be combined.
In UW, I got to experience how vocal Americans are in class. Hands would just rise in the middle of lectures, and questions and views would just be voiced out. In class, only a notebook and pen is needed, no sight of any lecture notes or pencil box. Study sessions are organized at night by the UW for most foundation classes. (Something I did not expect to find in a university.) Field trips are organized to let students come in contact with what they have learned in class. But what was disappointing was the structure of the exams as they are really just 死背. Singapore has always been criticized about route learning but I guess we are actually not as bad as we thought, especially when it comes to exam. At least we have to try and apply what we have learned to the questions. So if only how classes are conducted in UW can be combined with the exam style of Singapore, I guess it would provide a very good learning experience for the student.
Another thing that surprises me was that a lot of people are interested in graduate studies back in the States. It is quite common to hear people mentioning that they would be entering graduate school after they graduate from college.
~~
On my way back to Singapore, from Narita Airport, the plane was filled with Singaporeans and I heard the familiar Singapore accent. And I have to admit it actually felt weird and doesn’t sound nice. I came to realize how foreigners must have felt to hear Singlish. I guess being away made me more conscious of it and the importance of speaking good English. But I can say trying to speak proper English for the last few months is not an easy thing to do but it would be good to keep it up. :)
Leaving Seattle means leaving behind good customer service (and the tips!) and meeting friendly people that would strike up random conversation with you. Even so, to befriend Americans, I realize Asians must generally always take the initiative to go up to them and get to know them.
To foreigners, Singapore is just a country that bans chewing gum. To tell them more about Singapore is a manageable feat, but I learn that it becomes a dilemma when explaining about politics in Singapore. I will always remember the question Cynthea’s professor asked her: why Singapore is ranked no. 1 in anti-corruption, but yet ranked one of the last few for human rights.
But nevertheless, home is always the best no matter what. Especially the food. :p
~~
My experience in Seattle had definitely made 2008 an eventful one for me. I’m truly glad I created this blog to record down my experiences, even though I had to discipline myself to really sit down and blog. :p It would definitely be enjoyable to read through it in a few years time!
For now, I know I want to keep up my Seattle spirit of exploring even though I’m back in small Singapore and not in a vast piece of land surrounded by mountains. No matter how small Singapore is, there are definitely places to explore! Looking forward to my next venture into a completely foreign country!
Welcome 2009! Happy New Year to everyone!
so many bags and so heavy.. haha.. somemore some of my stuff are in my parents luggage :p
the 3 interns at Sengkang town council
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But in the end i think i send out the 'Seo Hoon' one to most of the invitees.. hee :p So those who have the 'Joyce' one are special! :D
