This trip will definitely be an eye-opening experience as it is my first trip to one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing and developing country. I am excited to go there with an open mind and being a typical Singaporean, I am looking forward for opportunities to try their authentic delicacies and indulge in their culture.

This exchange will provide me with a holistic experience to hone my intercultural communication and leadership skills, as well as a platform to step out of my comfort zone. At Hanoi university, I am going to forge rewarding life-long friendships with the youths as we exchange details of our daily life and school activities. As I foresee a potential language barrier, I have picked up Vietnamese phrases. Hopefully, I can at least order my food and converse with my friends in Vietnamese by the end of the trip!

This trip will definitely test my self-discipline to stick to the proposed schedule and enable me to practice what I’ve learnt from the previous TOPS lessons. For instance, when collecting primary data, I will remember to reflect upon our progress to check for personal biases and make informed decisions when faced with ethical situations. Concurrently, I will be able to relate the Quantitative Reasoning lessons taught during my first semester in USP, which touches on selecting the appropriate data collection methods based on my resources and analyzing the collected data. Despite the tight schedule and limited research time in Vietnam, we will make the best out of the obtained data and evaluate the successes and limitations faced during the fieldwork. This multi-disciplinary research programme will become a handy tool for our future.

After this trip, I intend to impart my knowledge and encounters with my peers through creative avenues, such as a photo essay featuring the locals as pictures speak louder than words. As my group will be focusing on gender roles in rural and urban Vietnam, I aim to create the photo essay through the lens of the locals. This opportunity will also enhance our ability to empathize with others and encourage us to take on the initiative to learn about other countries. This is in line with NTU USP’s vision which emphasizes civic-mindedness regarding social, cultural, economic and environmental issues globally.

Additionally, I am eager to draw links and bridge the gaps across the different sectors which the other groups will be presenting during the exhibition. Hopefully, I can form a holistic view of Vietnam through the discussions.

Lastly, the opportunities to work closely with my peers will not only build my ability to be flexible and compromise at times, but they will also strengthen our friendship and teamwork!

All in all, the first-hand experiences in Vietnam will surely enable me to enhance my interest in global issues, develop my analytical skills and gain an appreciation of different cultures outside of Singapore. On a personal level, I want to return with a better understanding of our ASEAN partner and a rewarding, memorable experience.

                                                     sapa-terraced-rice-fields-down

Credits: Google 

Besides my first overnight train ride, I’m excited to explore Hanoi university and enjoy the magnificent view of terraced rice fields!!!