Day 4: Job Well Done!

Uncertainty troubled me this morning. I did not know what to expect of today’s research. The possibilities are limitless and the outcome is eminently beyond our control. Lined up today is a focus group discussion and numerous interviews. The findings could either better our research or pose more challenges. Deep down, I cried out for a fruitful day.

Meet our first two interviewees of the day – Dr Ariya (left), chairperson of women and gender studies in Chiang Mai University, accompanied by her friend, Ms Matcha (right), director of Sangsan Women Society. Both of them are clearly the experts to seek opinions on regarding social issues plaguing Thai women. However, I did not have my hopes up too high for this interview. After all, their opinions may greatly differ and contradict our earlier findings. Anxiety overwhelmed me.

One key takeaway I have picked up on this fieldtrip is that our research findings can be quite unpredictable. I have learnt to manage my expectations and that we should always keep an open mind. When the opportunity arises, we should be quick to capitalise on such instances. Just minutes into the interview, Dr Ariya and Ms Matcha responses appeared to be supportive of our earlier findings. We seized the moment and probed them further. Well, I am glad we did. Both of them offered us many new interesting and valuable insights. Yay, it was definitely a heartening start to the day!

I was also particularly inspired by Ms Matcha’s background this morning. Ms Matcha grew up in a humble family. Living in a rural village like hers in Chiang Mai, education was certainly considered a privilege. What more for a girl like her? However, she did not succumb to her environment. She fought for a chance to receive education and actively shaped her own destiny. I really admire her perseverance and I felt that I can learn to be more determined like her.

In recent years, youths in Singapore are characterised as the “strawberry generation” – people who “bruise easily” and are vulnerable to social pressure. Growing up in an environment of economic prosperity, I agree that tenacity is the quality many of us lack, including myself. Ms Matcha’s experience reiterated that there are no challenges too tough to overcome. It all boils down to our will. As we progress towards a global community, we are bound to face stiff competition and new challenges. These challenges may not be of similar circumstances, but I believe the amount of struggle involved will be similar. I aspire to be as resilient as her and brave through these hurdles no matter how unfavourable the odds may seem.

If I were to describe today’s experience in one word, it would be “rewarding”. Not only did we enjoy a fruitful morning, the interviews and focus group discussion in the afternoon went well too! We were all smiles and celebrated this wonderful day by a lake at CMU. Wow, the view was simply breathtaking! We photographed, we modelled and I am glad that we were able to conclude our day on a high.