Travelling to Singapore is a very unique and exciting opportunity that presents various learning and growth experiences that the CIBS program faculty maximized through its comprehensive itinerary and logistical procedures including the pre-departure orientation and general health/safety modules. Prior to visitation, the pre-departure meetings consisted of group activities and presentations with all program participants over various topics, including Singapore?s economy, political landscape, socioeconomic makeup, among other subjects. These presentations offered a general understanding of what to expect when travelling both as a tourist and a student in Singapore and provided direction on what to read more about before the experience through personal readings on the array of topics.
Among the things I expected to gain from this experience includes an appreciation for different cultures and customs that are not as easily recognizable when looking from the outside-in. Among these includes the way-of-life of the local community of those from primarily Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnicity through culture and customs involving food, festivals, and religious practices. Regarding Singapore?s diversity, I looked forward to learning about the country?s unique history and heritage as a former British colony and its transformation from a colonial outpost to a thriving city-state through its extensive traditional architecture and landmarks. As a student at Mays Business School, I was eager to learn about Singapore?s economy and business environment as a major financial hub that is home to some of the world?s largest and multinational companies both established and upcoming. Moreover, I was keen on experiencing the city?s natural beauty involving its renown beaches and islands, lush greenery within national parks and city architecture, and diverse wildlife that inhabit the country.
There are various cultural differences between the host country and those of the United States, including Singapore?s multilingual society of four official languages including English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil versus the U.S.?s sole predominant English language. Moreover, Singapore?s multi-religious society consisting of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam is much more complex than the U.S.?s predominant religion of Christianity. This array of cultures is evident in Singapore?s cuisine that is heavily influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian cooking flavors and techniques, though the U.S.?s more diverse cuisine is influenced by cultures from all around the world. Regarding Singapore?s government, its parliamentary republic status against the U.S.?s federal republic affects several characteristics on local communities including its highly-developed education system with a focus on technical and vocational studies and its highly conservative society with a strong emphasis on formality and obedience. This differs from the U.S. in which its educational system features more liberal arts and humanities studies with a stronger emphasis on individualism and personal freedom.
Overall, travelling to Singapore is a distinctive experience in both educational and recreational perspectives for an individual from any background when experiencing the country?s world-class attractions, modern infrastructure, and melting pot of cultures as a centerpiece of Asia?s diversity.
