I have been in Singapore for nearly a month and the experience has truly given some perspective to my American life. In many ways Singapore is the Asian equivalent of United States-powerful, rich, educated, clean, and multicultural. However, it is a truly unique country. It is less than half the size (in landmass) of Houston, yet is home to over five million permanent citizens of many different cultural backgrounds. The small size and large cultural variety provide a wealth of options for interested travelers. Nearly every major culture is represented in Singapore and the predominant ones have special neighborhoods dating back to the British colonial era. I have been to Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street, and many other cultural locales. The cultural centers are amazing-I have never been able to experience such a mix of Asian and Middle Eastern culture! The authenticity of the food, people, dress, and language truly transport you to the country of origin. My visit to Little India accurately reflects this-for several hours I forgot I was in Singapore!
Singapore is a quiet country. The lack of crime and stable economy means that local news is centered on local celebrities, real estate, and medical care. However, the past several weeks have been filled with updates on “the haze”. ?The haze is smoke and fine particles that are carried to the Singaporean area via wind currents. The smoke is the product of slash and burn agriculture in the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Farmers there (it is suspected that large international companies have paid them to do it) ?burn the land to clear it for palm (for palm oil) plantations. This is a yearly occurrence-always around mid summer, but this year the situation was worse than normal. The Singaporean index for air quality, PSI, registered in the Hazardous level for the first time in nearly a decade and air pollution was the highest in Singapore’s recorded history. This lasted only a week or so, but that was all that Singaporeans talked about. The city went into disaster mode as many activities and businesses closed down (even the central business district shut down). The public transportation system (and anyone outside) was full of individuals wearing particle masks to lessen the likelihood of respiratory damage. The “haze effect” has died down and life is back to normal, but the way the city handled the crisis was interesting to observe.
Locals often complain that there is not much to do apart from eat, work, and shop. That simply isn?t true! The sad reality is that most Singaporeans don?t take advantage of all the options, culturally, educationally, and economically within their city. Many look to long weekends and public holidays to escape the Lion City and visit other Southeast Asian countries. I would love to visit such places, but I feel that I still have much to do in Singapore and am looking forward to visiting a nearby island, meeting up with some local Aggies, hiking the Tree Top Walk, exploring the Botanic Gardens, and trying the local cuisine.
I have also greatly enjoyed my internship. My superior is a Texas A&M alumni who received his MBA from Chicago?s Booth School of Business. Needless to say, he is a very competent and effective leader. I have been assigned a large project and I am working, under his supervision, on that-I?ll present to senior management within two weeks- I?m both excited and anxious for the opportunity.
All in all Singapore has been amazing-truly a wondrous experience and a great immersion into Asia! I look forward to my remaining time here!