I believe that this trip will expose me to the different challenges that people of other countries and cultures experience. As we interact with the city-dwellers in Hanoi and the local communities in Sapa, I believe that we will learn much about their lifestyles and the varying types of difficulties they face. At the same time, I will also learn about the peoples’ fighting spirit – how they persevere through tough times, and how they work around or solve the problems they have. Learning about another culture’s point of view with regards to determination and endurance would then help me develop these traits in myself better, and I believe these are very important virtues for us to have to cope with the high-stress environments we live in today. It is also valuable as persisting in what we do ultimately helps us achieve greater things, both in school and in life.

Moreover, since this trip is research-based, I will learn research-related skills, especially for interviews and desk research. This is beneficial as my psychology major places great emphasis on research skills. At the same time, the logical and systematic thinking skills and knowledge involved in designing research is transferable and can aid me in everything I do. I think it is essential for us to have such critical thinking skills and knowledge in the knowledge-based economy we have today.

I appreciate that we are given the opportunity to conduct research in another country, instead of our own, because a deeper understanding of other cultures would enhance our appreciation for them, and help us develop a global perspective so we can understand the world better, from different angles. This would then enable us to have a better understanding of the global issues we are facing.

Through this trip, I hope to achieve a greater level of independence, as well as greater appreciation for what I have. I have only ever travelled either with family, or on a highly-structured school trip. This is the first trip where I am given so much freedom to plan my own time – when to work and when to play, what to explore, and what to do at night. As I am given more responsibility for my own safety, health and fun, I have to learn to make decisions for myself, and ensure that there is a balance between enjoying myself, benefitting myself, and taking care of myself.

In addition, looking at the world through others’ eyes would allow me to see my own blessings more clearly – what I have, others may not have – and this would help me develop a greater appreciation for the things that I may take for granted. I think that it is important for us to step out of our comfort zone from time to time, because the loss of what makes us comfortable helps us become aware of and understand our own needs, wants, and what we have not been appreciating enough.