When I first navigated the extensive array of winter study abroad programs on the CIBS website last summer, I found myself in a seemingly endless sea of possibilities. The abundance of options left me excited and overwhelmed, with each program promising a unique adventure. Amidst this exploration, the vibrant allure of Singapore captivated my attention, standing out prominently against the backdrop of possibilities. While I have previously experienced life in Europe and South Asia, I was entirely unfamiliar with life in Southeast Asia, which presented me with the unique opportunity to immerse myself in an unfamiliar culture while experiencing it for the first time with my peers. After only a week in Singapore, also known as Lion City, I have made the right decision in choosing this study abroad program.
After landing, I first noticed the amount of greenery surrounding us, whether inside the Changi Airport or lining the sides of the roads. Nature is something that I have always loved, and I love it when urban infrastructure incorporates greenery and other natural elements. Unfortunately, we do not see the same dedication to this in the West. From our tour guide, I learned that the abundance of greenery in Singapore follows the advice of a Feng Shui master from its inception, who stated that Singapore’s “crab-like” shape requires much greenery to remain preposterous. After seeing how well incorporated natural elements are in the urbanized country, I would love to see more nature in Texas.
Additionally, throughout our first week, we had the chance to view various places of worship, from Buddhist to Hokkien temples. Through this, I have gained a deeper perspective into multiple religions that I have not previously been exposed to and have become a lot more mindful of being respectful of these religions. The term melting pot is the perfect way to describe a place as multicultural as Singapore. Over the rest of this trip, I would like to learn more about the various places of worship and how these different religions intersect and interact.
It has been fascinating to compare the differences between America and Singapore, as I have noticed a lot in terms of general culture as well as the emphasis on public transit, something that took some getting used to, as my only experience with public transportation was the AggieBus. However, I have also noticed some similarities in how multicultural both America and Singapore are, although Singapore does a much better job (in my opinion) of actually integrating these multicultural identities into society, as many places of worship from various faiths can coexist on the same street. The hawker centers also took some getting used to, although they have since grown on me, and I am now a frequent visitor to local hawker centers.
I can’t wait to see how much more I learn in the remainder of my trip, as I plan to continue pushing my boundaries and experiencing as much as possible in such a culturally rich country. The first week has set the tone for a remarkable journey, and I anticipate many more discoveries and personal growth in the weeks to come.
