I’ve recently come back from Dublin, Ireland where the Global Undergraduate Summit 2022 was held. My FYP-URECA paper had been awarded the regional winner in my category at this year’s Global Undergraduate Awards. Though the win was unexpected, it felt nice to have had my work seen. As an extension of my URECA project, I had worked on this paper, the ​​Black Lives Matter: Perceived (Ir)relevance to Understanding Race Issues in Singapore for a long time, and like most other research, it had been an isolating and demoralising process at times. However, as much as we’d often like to take full credit for our ‘successes’ (if you could call this that), these very ‘successes’ are often the result of many, many people around us, who, directly or indirectly, positively impact us.

When I sit and think about my undergraduate journey at NTU, it is undeniable that the NTU-USP family has left such an impact on me. Of all the brilliant things I have learnt from all of you, the most impactful lesson is this: to not be afraid to try! As simple (or duh) as it may sound, it is actually quite difficult to not worry, do your best, and let the rest come easy. Yet, NTU-USP provides such a safe environment for us to try, no matter the outcome. There were countless opportunities for me to do things I was keen on. When I wanted to try acting again, I was encouraged to join USPresents; when I had ideas I wanted to bring to life, I could through the various subcommittees available, especially the Arts, Culture and Social Affairs, and Social Service Projects, which I were a member of; when I wished to build my confidence and put myself out there, I could as an orientation group leader or project head. In planning some of the many events NTU-USP holds, not once have I heard the word no; it has always been about how we could bring this particular idea/vision to life, and what we could do better. I think that sort of mindset really has a profound impact on us. As students, it makes us feel like we can do anything, and more importantly, we are supported to do so. Though I am often one to doubt myself a lot, when I had applied for this award, I had not thought so much about it. After all, what harm was there in submitting my work? Thank you, NTU-USP, for making me feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. On days I continue to doubt myself, it’s something I try to remind myself.

Through the vigorously intellectually-stimulating modules offered as part of NTU-USP, I have had the opportunity to converse, debate and most importantly, learn from an outstanding group of students and faculty. With our varied majors, educational backgrounds, and lived experiences, conversations have been nothing short of extraordinary. Something I have come to embrace is that though it is easy to speak with those with whom our viewpoints converge, the real challenge comes when we have to converse with those with whom our viewpoints diverge. When we speak only with those we agree with, we find ourselves trapped in an echo-chamber of ideas and beliefs, and there is often little room for us to learn anything new. Rather, we often just strengthen our pre-existing beliefs. However, when we engage critically with differing perspectives, that is when we are forced to learn to respectfully communicate, and actively listen…and often leave learning something new. When one does research, there is sometimes a natural tendency to want to receive a particular set of responses which may align with the broader aims of the project, or even my own personal beliefs. Yet, I’ve learnt (and rather, am still learning) to embrace the heterogeneity which comes from our very diverse lived experiences that shape us and the beliefs that we have. Rather than see them as a hassle to one’s end-goal, it’s better to see them as opportunities to learn and grow from. Thank you, NTU-USP, for providing me with a different lens through which I can perceive the world.

Thank you, NTU-USP for some of the best years.

If you’d like to read my paper, Black Lives Matter: Perceived (Ir)relevance to Understanding Race Issues in Singapore, you can do so here. Alternatively, you reach out to me @yikeshantini on Telegram or Instagram for a copy.

Submission by:

Shantini Rajasingam, Class of 2022, SOC