Post Trip Reflections

 

Now back in the comforts of my home, I look back to my USP Study Trip with fond memories. I can appreciate how it has allowed me to immerse myself in the research completely, to think deeply about the issues of heritage preservation, as well as consider various forms of documentation to best suit our data.

This trip though, was so much more than a research trip. I learnt a lot from the expertise of the professors, to the people of Chiang Mai, and even amongst my fellow group members. I have to admit that it exceeded my expectations, and I enjoyed my time quite a lot.

I came here hoping to get some answers. But I realize now, as with many things in life, there is no one right answer. It will be hard to consider a perfect balance between modernization and heritage preservation. But I hope that with our data, a greater understanding of Chiang Mai’s heritage will lead to more informed decisions in the future.

Going about our itinerary, I see that as we were attempting to grasp what heritage is in Chiang Mai, and to visiting the heritage sites, we are most often consumers of this “heritage”. It is amazing, or even “somewhat crude” as professor Walsh puts it, that we experience the rich cultural history of a nation/culture in 20 mins, for instance during a guided tour. Does this mean only the juicy, important bits get retained? And if so, that does a disservice to an entire culture, and the bits that are left out.

Now, I look at what has been made to preserve heritage in Singapore with new eyes. Reviewing all the interviews, I see the amount of pride that the people have for their heritage. I came to this trip with the belief that there was not much culture in Singapore, that the nation had been attempting to squeeze our ‘unique-ness’ dry e.g. multiracial, etc. But I realize now that the heritage lies with the people, and it has made me more appreciative about my country, and the little idiosyncrasies of Singaporeans e.g. Kiasu-ness. I now see that a culture and heritage is interwoven, and flows in everything that we do. As a young nation, and we are growing more and more each day.

In the coming years, I wonder if we will be able to nourish Singapore’s culture and arts scene, and if we can build an authentic arts community that will not be tightly controlled. The danger now, is that we are merely using art as a means to make ourselves look better, which is not how art should me.

On a personal level, I feel that this trip, having taken me somewhat outside of my comfort zone, has reinforced certain beliefs or ideas about myself, but at the same time, it has allowed me to open myself up to new experiences. I have always been slow to change. I am stubborn and I’m fixed on what I know I like or dislike. But having been made to do what I initially thought I hated e.g. going out in groups, amazing race, I have found that those were a few of the things that I enjoyed the most. This has taught to me be a little more open to new experiences.

I am grateful for the memories I have made, the lessons I have learnt, during this trip. Chiang Mai’s laidback culture and the warm-ness of the locals will remain with me, and I look forward to my next trip back to this sunny city.