Off We Go! – Holden Cole

I greatly appreciated how organized the Singapore program was from the very beginning and the entire International Studies department. For example, When I first was deciding which program, I wanted to participate in I was able to have a long conversation with one of the program coordinators to answer all the questions I had. In addition, I was also able to talk with the professor leading the trip to see if I thought it would be the right fit for me. Ultimately, I was accepted into the program and there were even more meetings to ensure all of us were on the same page. We discussed things such as insurance, what to bring, the itinerary, money we needed and so much more. For any student that wants to go abroad to expand their horizons, learn more about other cultures, and make friends, one of these programs is the best option for any student at A&M. The trip to Singapore is not for the faint of heart. It is 22 hours on the plane on the way there, and it is 24 hours on the way back. You better bring several things to do and some Benadryl because it is quite the long haul, but ultimately worth it. Initially, I imagined Singapore as a westernized version of China where there is a lot of Chinese influence but significantly modern and developed. I knew Singapore is a city state which means the entire country is one big city, which means I would expect a very dense city with lots of public transport. Additionally, Singapore is an international hub of trade, finance, and tourism, so I expected to see a variety of different cultures represented from all over the world. The culture in Singapore and the United States have a lot in common such as mostly English speaking, but there are many differences as well. For example, in Singapore, as with many Asian cultures, the main emphasis is on the community instead of the person – they ask how they can be help rather than think about themselves. Additionally, the Singaporean people are very kind, especially to foreigners, and will answer any questions you have.