Spending the last 2.5 weeks in Singapore was truly a trip of a lifetime and incredible in so many ways. The city is a melting pot of so many cultures, ethnicities, and walks of life, making Singapore that much more of a place I want to visit again and hopefully one day work/ live! The city never failed to impress or shock me with how clean, safe, and polished it was at all hours of the day. Never failing to live up to its reputation of being an ideal city. When reflecting on my time in Singapore, the first word that comes to mind is efficiency. Singaporeans have a way of creating such an efficient and practical way to go about life, daily activities, conducting business, and transporting themselves from point A to B. Interacting with business leaders, locals, and other tourists was so valuable as I saw up close just how each of the cultures work together and respect one another. An example that comes to mind is the time I spent visiting Chinatown, Arab Street, Little India, and the different Hawker Centers, just seeing and experiencing firsthand how everything fits together and plays a role in Singapore’s multicultural heritage.
My initial impressions of Singapore were accurate, but I owe that to my research beforehand and the one-on-ones I had in class with a few students who had previously traveled to Singapore. My perspective has grown at the many opportunities available to me when conducting business one day abroad, specifically in Asia. Having the opportunity to meet with other Aggies, go on a handful of company visits, and visit the museums highlighted to me the significance of the handful of experiences and opportunities made available to me during my time abroad. Being an individual who studied Mandarin Chinese and Asian culture for years before visiting Asia, finally arriving was a surreal moment for me! I’m more motivated than ever to get back to refreshing my Mandarin Chinese to hopefully one day become fluent so that I can travel and experience even more places within Asia one day. My global mindset has and will continue to grow and shape, and I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. The group of students and teachers who were also on the study abroad made this experience one that I will forever appreciate as we cultivated a little community of our own. None of it would’ve been possible without our guides, Sharon and Imran, who went above and beyond to ensure we soaked in all Singapore had to offer and helped us make the most out of our time abroad while ensuring it was memorable and enriching!
