A week prior to TOPS, the alarm that was set to go off a week before the trip caused a strong vibration on my left trouser pocket. It took me a while to realise that TOPS referred to the Overseas Programme for Scholars to Vietnam. I had to make sure this was real as I pinched myself to check and apparently, it left quite a bruise on my left forearm. A sudden surge of energy engulfs my mentally exhausted soul (due to the finals) as if there was finally something to look forward to after the endless hours spent in “My Cave” – The Crescent Hall Study Room.

As I reflected on my Pre-Trip sentiments, this trip would put my communication techniques to the test – conversing with individuals from different backgrounds and with little to no English exposure. In addition, the need to produce an impactful documentary; pictures that paint a thousand words or an artefact that encompasses an issue promotes individual and unique talents as creating such media deliverables pushes me to tap on my artistic abilities. The intercultural exchange with the locals would bolster my knowledge about the various current issues faced by the Vietnamese government, economy and locals, and based on the solutions employed by Vietnam, I might be able to use the same methodology to aid in my upcoming projects, hence enhancing my tertiary education.

Coming from a global stand point, this trip would encourage Proactive Global Citizenship as the increased interaction with locals allows for a first-hand account as to how the locals live, how they communicate and the challenges that they face such that I can understand how such challenges arise and the ways in which I can help. With a better understanding of how the locals live, borders would be broken, language barriers would weaken and it would further support and reinforce USP’s mission for its students to be Proactive Global Citizens who are not restricted by geographical and political borders.

At a personal level, one word can be used to describe my Pre-Trip emotions – “Rojak” – or as Urban Dictionary defines it, “Anyhow”. I am nothing short of excited at what this trips entails but anxious at the problems my team and I will encounter during our tenure here in this beautiful country. I look forward to collecting valuable information that would shed light on some of the pressing issues that haunt Vietnam but worried on whether my team’s voice would be heard by the masses. However, I remain optimistic and confident that with the proper guidance of the USP staff and my buddies, this Overseas trip would be an extremely fruitful one. Finally, as Vietnam is not as blessed as Singapore in terms of standard of living, I would like to attain a better appreciation of life through this trip. In terms of living with what you have and to enjoy the finer things in life while living out of my comfort zone.