137 days, that’s how many days I spent in the US. My first travel since the Covid pandemic hit, I was beyond excited to finally get out of Singapore! Now, as I’m packing my luggage to move out of Rodin College Hall, I can’t help but think how fast time flew by.

Throughout the semester at the University of Pennsylvania, I have been motivated and encouraged by faculty and students to think outside the box and think on our feet. The faculty at Penn are incredibly passionate about their various subjects, and I liked how they were so approachable and friendly! Particularly in Wharton, there is a concept of ‘Faculty Lunch’ where professors can bring a small group of students out for lunch. The idea is for professors to become closer to their students, understanding their needs and any difficulties they are facing. The lunch session allowed me to better understand the background of my professor and respect him a lot more!

I took one module under the School of Arts & Sciences, ‘Language, Society, and the Human Experience’. It was definitely an eye-opening one as we delved deep into how language shapes and forms culture in different societies, and the innate need for humans to chunk out and categorise what we call the ‘flux of life’.

Also, the difference in school culture was a huge one: students in UPenn tend to place a stronger focus on work-life balance. One of my biggest takeaways was learning to have more fun while having the ‘work hard play hard’ mindset. Many students have commitments outside of academic work, be it sports and clubs, part-time work, or others. It was inspirational to see how they place the emphasis to enjoy themselves while studying hard. Hence, I tried to adapt to their lifestyles, and I realised that this lifestyle greatly improved my productivity and mental health – I was able to set aside relaxation time and have adequate sleep while being able to balance schoolwork. This is a habit that I hope to bring back to Singapore!

Being in such an international school allowed me to mix with students from different backgrounds and learn to be more culturally sensitive. The many events on campus celebrating different religions and festivals made me more aware of such groups, especially since these events were open to all with a focus on educating and sharing the knowledge of these diverse groups.

Last but not least, we cannot forget the travels! This was my first time traveling to the States, and it has really left me in awe. Over the past 5 months, I was able to witness the greatness of nature (stargazing in pitch-black surroundings at Yosemite, climbing Stone Mountain in Atlanta), experiencing city life (embracing the hustle and bustle in New York City), and immersing ourselves in diverse cultures (trying Mexican food, learning about the French influence in New Orleans). This has truly been an experience of a lifetime!

*Special thanks to Noel, Wee Kuang and Hsien En for being great UPenn buddies! (and Justin for joining us occasionally!)

Submission by:

Sam Xin Qian, Year 3, ACBS