Pre- trip Reflection

 

I believe that this overseas trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand is an excellent opportunity for the cohort in general to work towards embracing the USP mission and vision. The research opportunity that has arisen due to this trip will help us work towards gaining valuable information that makes us ready for the challenges hurled by the ever changing landscape of the 21^st century. We will be given the opportunity to delve into some of the main challenges in Thailand and this will definitely be insightful as Thailand is culturally quite different from Singapore. Looking at these challenges, we could then go on to think about whether those challenges could ever arise here at home and if so, how to overcome them. Through the various research methodology, we will also be able to improve our communication and social skills, especially given the language barrier that is likely to arise between us and the people of Thailand. I am also fairly sure that we deeply appreciate this opportunity and will make full use of it to learn more about the Thai culture and traditions and gain valuable insights about the differences and similarities between different cultures, making us people who appreciate the immense diversity we have in the world.

 

As a part of USP myself, I believe that this trip will benefit me holistically. Academically, I believe it will complement the knowledge that I have gained studying in NTU so far. Being in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, students are expected to be up to date about news and events around the world and have some knowledge about certain cultures, especially those relatively close to home. Hence, this trip will definitely be a step closer for me to fulfill my school’s mission and vision as it will help me learn about Thai culture and traditions, allowing me to gain new knowledge that will be relevant for my future academic experiences in the school.

 

Socially and spiritually, as a part of USP, I believe that this trip will help me grow as an individual as I will be exposed to an entirely new culture and learn how to appreciate it. To me, being in USP and to be given academic and non- academic opportunities that are not given to other NTU students makes me more motivated to do well. It gives me an added fervor to contribute back to society as I feel that I have a certain responsibility to this society that has allowed me to gain all these amazing experiences. Therefore, this trip I hope, will allow me to gain insightful knowledge that will make me a better scholar.

 

On a slightly more personal note, I have never been to Thailand. Hence, when I heard that we were going to Thailand I was very excited. I have heard a lot of wonderful stories from people who have been there so I do hope that I will be able to head back to Singapore with plenty of memorable experiences as well. Besides that, Thai food is also extremely delicious and that was partly why I was very excited as well.