4 June 2019
My perfect last night in Singapore: I start from Marina Bay Sands, walking the length of the terrace overlooking the glimmering skyline. I cross Helix Bridge toward The Float at Marina Bay, where 10 months ago I watched National Day celebrations with some people who would become my close friends. I continue walking the perimeter of the bay to the Esplanade, a concert hall shaped like a durian, but without the smell I’ve grown to associate with fruit stalls in the city’s many lively markets. I continue walking to Jubilee Bridge, a reminder that this modern, independent Singapore is only a little over fifty years old — which I’ve observed is both a point of pride and insecurity in this nation trying to find its identity. Near the iconic Merlion is one branch of a café where I spent too much money on cakes (though I have no regrets). I head back to the train and I see the Singapore River, whose flows and currents carry stories and memories of so many Singaporeans, and now mine too.
Looking back at my initial goals that I wrote a few weeks into my exchange, I focused on learning more about both Singapore and the region. After almost a year of studying in Singapore and frequently traveling around the region, I’ve accomplished these goals. However, this learning was more than just about being able to answer a few trivia questions or write a few essays. The concepts and theories I learned in the classroom sharpened my senses to notice and think more critically about my surroundings. Visiting a former refugee camp in Indonesia, exploring the Angkor Temples, and visiting the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” Hoa Lo Prison all helped me better contextualize and appreciate the reality of histories that often seem like distant stories that only exist in textbook pages. I saw concepts like nation-building and historical framing in Singapore’s Bicentennial celebration, where efforts were made to question “when” Singapore’s history began and who “founded” it, though the dominant narrative of Singapore starting with the 1819 British arrival maintains a strong grip. My previous coursework and the coursework I took in NUS complemented my experiences outside the classroom, enabling me to think deeply about the things I saw around me. I learned a great deal from this exchange and it has encouraged me to further study Southeast Asia and keep the region in mind as I finish my studies in international development.
My perfect last night in Singapore: I start from Marina Bay Sands, walking the length of the terrace overlooking the glimmering skyline. I cross Helix Bridge toward The Float at Marina Bay, where 10 months ago I watched National Day celebrations with some people who would become my close friends. I continue walking the perimeter of the bay to the Esplanade, a concert hall shaped like a durian, but without the smell I’ve grown to associate with fruit stalls in the city’s many lively markets. I continue walking to Jubilee Bridge, a reminder that this modern, independent Singapore is only a little over fifty years old — which I’ve observed is both a point of pride and insecurity in this nation trying to find its identity. Near the iconic Merlion is one branch of a café where I spent too much money on cakes (though I have no regrets). I head back to the train and I see the Singapore River, whose flows and currents carry stories and memories of so many Singaporeans, and now mine too.
Looking back at my initial goals that I wrote a few weeks into my exchange, I focused on learning more about both Singapore and the region. After almost a year of studying in Singapore and frequently traveling around the region, I’ve accomplished these goals. However, this learning was more than just about being able to answer a few trivia questions or write a few essays. The concepts and theories I learned in the classroom sharpened my senses to notice and think more critically about my surroundings. Visiting a former refugee camp in Indonesia, exploring the Angkor Temples, and visiting the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” Hoa Lo Prison all helped me better contextualize and appreciate the reality of histories that often seem like distant stories that only exist in textbook pages. I saw concepts like nation-building and historical framing in Singapore’s Bicentennial celebration, where efforts were made to question “when” Singapore’s history began and who “founded” it, though the dominant narrative of Singapore starting with the 1819 British arrival maintains a strong grip. My previous coursework and the coursework I took in NUS complemented my experiences outside the classroom, enabling me to think deeply about the things I saw around me. I learned a great deal from this exchange and it has encouraged me to further study Southeast Asia and keep the region in mind as I finish my studies in international development.
Going to a different university was also a valuable experience. Initially, I thought NUS would be quite different from UW. I expected professors to be strict and for exams to emphasize rote memorization, based on my previous experience going to school in Asia. Contrary to my expectations, the teaching style in NUS was not too different from UW, especially since the faculty and student body was quite international. Of course, there were a few differences. Exams were typically in big halls with hundreds of students sitting in rows as far a the eyes could see. I had to learn that “foolscap paper” is lined A4 paper. I also had to trade Canvas with a system called IVLE. In class discussions, there were a number of times when exchange students were more vocal and active than our other peers. I found myself conscious of the space I was taking up. I was conscious of being too American. After all, I was here to listen and learn from perspectives I might not necessarily have to chance to see back in the US. In my initial Experiential Learning application, I talked about being active in discussions. Doing this, while being cognisant of when to step back, was not necessarily difficult, but was a conscious process. These differences and simply being out of the UW bubble I’ve become comfortable in was refreshing.
Navigating identity, specifically national and ethnic identity was an interesting process. I was already comfortable with the ambiguity of my identity as Filipino/Asian/American and different combinations of these three words, but this was after a lot of struggle and introspection. Seeing how these identities played out and how I navigated them taught me a few things. Around the region, I often found that I could blend in, occasionally getting into places at the “local” rate. Crossing immigration in airports, I sometimes used my American passport or my Philippine passport, depending on which was more convenient. I felt comfortable in groups with American peers, as well as groups with Asian peers. These experiences throughout my exchange helped me appreciate the ambiguity and versatility of my identities.
My arrival in Singapore coincided with the premiere of Crazy Rich Asians, which brought images of a glittering Singapore into theaters all over the world. On my last night in Singapore, I saw many of those sights, but inscribed in them are the memories and lessons I’ve gained throughout the year. Moving to Singapore, technically as a teen, and living on my own has given me the confidence to make myself at home in the world. People often ask me if I would live in Singapore again. While the future isn’t certain, I did keep my Singapore bank account open… just in case.
Navigating identity, specifically national and ethnic identity was an interesting process. I was already comfortable with the ambiguity of my identity as Filipino/Asian/American and different combinations of these three words, but this was after a lot of struggle and introspection. Seeing how these identities played out and how I navigated them taught me a few things. Around the region, I often found that I could blend in, occasionally getting into places at the “local” rate. Crossing immigration in airports, I sometimes used my American passport or my Philippine passport, depending on which was more convenient. I felt comfortable in groups with American peers, as well as groups with Asian peers. These experiences throughout my exchange helped me appreciate the ambiguity and versatility of my identities.
My arrival in Singapore coincided with the premiere of Crazy Rich Asians, which brought images of a glittering Singapore into theaters all over the world. On my last night in Singapore, I saw many of those sights, but inscribed in them are the memories and lessons I’ve gained throughout the year. Moving to Singapore, technically as a teen, and living on my own has given me the confidence to make myself at home in the world. People often ask me if I would live in Singapore again. While the future isn’t certain, I did keep my Singapore bank account open… just in case.