As a global citizen living in an increasingly interconnected and volatile world, it is important to embrace and understand the different forces shaping our world, so that we are equipped with sufficient knowledge to guide us through the 21st century.

The USP experience so far has indeed opened doors for me to explore various disciplines beyond my major, and this trip will definitely open my eyes. The trip exposes us to ethical ways of conducting research as well as creative means of presenting our work. Through this, I hope to sharpen my critical and creative thinking faculties while improving on my leadership abilities, so as to develop further as a member of USP and become a valued member of the 21st century workforce.  Furthermore, assessment methods in this module allows us to explore new skills like photography and videography, while the group work involved allows us to celebrate each other’s talents and learn to work better in a team. The hands-on approach equips us with skills beyond the textbook and I am especially excited for the practical aspect, to apply the knowledge that was taught in class.This trip provides an immersive intercultural experience with opportunities to interact with the locals and get a glimpse into the locals’ lives. This will aid me in becoming a more culturally sensitive person. Cultural sensitivity is vital today as technology enables us to overcome geographical boundaries and working in cross-cultural teams is becoming the norm.

This trip will allow my college experience to become a more vibrant and holistic one. USP modules add breadth to my academic experience, expanding my otherwise myopic view and exposing me to different perspectives. The module gives us a first-hand experience of gathering our own information and presenting them creatively and fluently, instead of googling for answers. Such an experience is invaluable as numerous university modules have fixed content and not many students have the liberty to explore a certain topic of their choice in a foreign land with so much guidance and support provided.

This module will be challenging, but fruitful. Personally, I want to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself with new experiences. I would like to maintain an open mind throughout the trip and not allow my fears to stop me from trying. I hope to experience many firsts and forge lasting memories with my batch mates, while appreciating Vietnamese culture. Through fieldwork and interacting with locals, I want to become more aware of the underlying stores behind what is shown to tourists, especially with my team researching on ecotourism. I believe that some tourist attractions are just a facade to appeal to tourists, but I hope this fieldwork will expose me to authentic experiences. I am looking forward to learning more about Ecotourism and study its complexities in a meaningful, first-hand manner. Ultimately, I learn from every experience I encounter. I want to gain new knowledge and skills, to become a global citizen that can better understand the forces shaping our future.