Personally, I am very excited as it will be my first time conducting hands-on research and fieldwork in a foreign country and in an area that I am able to choose. While I have done presentations before, it has been limited to report-writing and I have not gotten the chance to explore more creative alternatives such as photo-journals and documentaries. Hence, I am keen to try out a new method of documentation and I hope to develop new skill-sets in doing so. Furthermore, this trip differs from the other group projects I have done as it is done overseas. As such, I wish to discover what kind of a team player I am in a foreign context and further identify and develop my strengths.

During the trip, I hope to be able to develop my communication skills with foreigners as I have always found it harder to converse with those from a different country from me. Through this, I hope to cultivate a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese culture and better appreciate how cultures are unique and diverse. Furthermore, I feel that it is of utmost importance to be open to other cultures and develop an appreciation and sensitivity for them. In Public Policy and Global Affairs, I have learnt about the importance of global community and increased steps towards global governance as globalization diminishes the role of the state. I believe that for global governance to be effective in addressing the needs of the global community and the global community to be harmonious, it is crucial that we are sensitive to others’ cultures while working towards common goals. Given that our group is doing on the effect of globalization on food, I believe that food is an effective means to better understand a country’s culture as it reflects the past historical influences and the present pace of development that the country is undergoing. For example, while the use of the French baguette in the Vietnamese food Banh Mi shows the French colonial roots of Vietnam, the possible changes to it’s method of preparation to be one that is more fuss-free can depict how the Vietnamese are increasingly getting busier or have different tastebuds. As such, this trip can not only help me to be a more culturally aware global citizen, it is also extremely relevant to the course I am pursuing, in terms of helping me to better understand the different concepts that I have learned.

Aside from academics, I believe that this trip can enrich me personally. I have not had much experience with locals in rural areas and am anticipating the visit to the village and immersing in the culture there. Furthermore, the slower pace of life in the village will be able to give me an experience that is vastly different from Singapore’s bustling city life and the natural scenery in Sapa will contrast with the more urban landscape in Singapore. Therefore, this experience will be eye-opening for me and I am anticipating it.