Written by Tan Jing En, Y2 Communication Studies

Do you stop and smell the roses in your journey of life?

I’m pretty poor at that, if I’m being honest. The sheer amount of responsibilities to deal with –
mostly from self-and-societal imposed pressure – to do and achieve more often makes it difficult
to do so. And for the longest time, I find myself wishing how I may experience what it means to
be present and enjoy the journey.

You are probably wondering why I’m talking about roses. Rather fittingly, I joined my TOPS
group as a group mentor to research on the flower trade industry in Kunming, China. So, I set out
with an aspiration to search for some answers before the year draws to an end.

Watching my groups conduct interviews brought back memories of myself in their position last
year as an interviewer in Sapa, Vietnam. Truth be told, walking up to strangers and asking them
to talk is an introvert’s nightmare. Even for an extrovert like myself, I still feel unnerving stress
whenever I need to approach a potential interviewee, knowing that I could be rejected with a
hand wave or a curt reply of “I’ve no time for this”.

We were rejected countless times and received many dirty glances by various storeowners. But
we never gave up. And finally, we struck gold with a great interviewee who shared amazing
insights on the flower industry in Kunming. I doubt I’ll ever forget the satisfied look on my
groupmates’ faces, with an uplifted confidence that if they succeeded this once, they can repeat
this win again.

Kunming Foxes’ First Successful Interview

Granted, life would be so much easier if everyone was perfectly pleasant and willing to have an
interview with us. We could avoid all the negativity, hardships, and pain. But a life with certainty
without complexity would be terribly dull and colourless. There would be nothing to toil for,
nothing to desire for because nothing could ever be wrong.

Every challenge teaches us a little more about ourselves. What we love or hate, our morals and
beliefs, and who we want to be. If everything was all smooth-sailing, there is nothing worth
making a difference in. All the ups and downs shape us to who we want to be, and crafting the
story that truly belongs to you.

Before embarking on this trip, I learnt from my group that through their secondary research, they
found that live-streaming was greatly beneficial to the flower sellers. But on the ground told a
completely different story. Many sellers are unable to sell flowers through live-streaming due to
financial, manpower, and knowledge constraints.

I found this particularly fascinating especially in the context of our own lives. Far too often we
assume that we know what the people around us are going through. We think that everything is
good for them just because they say or look so. Have you ever slowed down and taken a closer
look at them? What are the stories that you are not seeing?

I have been often told by my busy friends that it is only the quality of time that they spend with
their loved ones that matters. I beg to differ. I believe that for any good friendship or relationship
to deepen, it starts with the quantity of time. People take different amounts of time to warm up
and open up to you. And we need to make time to observe and listen to them to really know what
is going on inside them.

Visit to Kunming International Flower Auction Trading Centre

Apart from the research work we had to do, we had a chance to explore Kunming a little. We
visited stunning places like Xishan Mountain, and had lovely experiences including tea
appreciation, visiting museums, and feeding seagulls near the lake. I loved all of these places, but
it was not because they were inherently great. They were beautiful because of the people who
were there with me. Their company made the entire experience all the more wonderful.

Kunming Foxes’ Last Day In Kunming

I always thought the process of stopping and smelling the roses was difficult because of how
distracted I am by the other “stuff” happening in my life. But we forget that we as people are
meant to ‘live’. And it means not only ‘work’, but also ‘play’. And the good news is, you don’t
have to do it alone. In fact, it’s a lot easier when you do it with the people you love. And that
makes the journey you have so much more meaningful.

We don’t always recognise our little wins until we stop and really look at it. It’s far too easy to
discredit the small increments and take it for granted. Sometimes I wish my life could be more,
but I fail to realise that it is already in the process of becoming more. All I have to do is to
continue heading down the path I am on, and trusting the process that everything is meant to
happen for a reason. And most importantly, sharing this journey with the people I love, enjoying
the blossoming flowers with them on the way.

Every February, people across the world unite to celebrate the wonderful connection that is friendship. In the vibrant community of NTU-USP, this celebration takes on a special meaning as we reflect on the connections that have shaped our academic journey and beyond. In honour of this milestone, we asked four NTU-USPians to pen a heartfelt note to a person who has had a profound impact on their lives! Let’s explore these heartfelt statements of thankfulness and companionship.

To: Leanne (Y1, BUS)

Hi Leanne, hope you have a Happy Friendship Day! When I first entered university, I was worried about facing unfamiliar faces and making new friends. Turns out fate had an amazing surprise in store for me. I first met you through the NTU-USP Freshmen Orientation Programme, and we had so many commonalities despite our coming from 2 different backgrounds – you graduated from Junior College and me from Polytechnic. Studying the same Business course, having similar timetables, and staying just two doors apart in Hall provided many avenues for us to get closer to each other! I was initially afraid coming into NTU Nanyang Business School since it was one of the biggest business schools in Singapore, I wasn’t sure if I could find someone who would be there for support. However, it was through NTU-USP that provided me the opportunity to find a likeminded, kind-hearted and caring individual. I could still vividly recall first interaction was during NTU-USP freshmen orientation where we got to know our peer in the same major. We became closer during challenging times in university life, especially for the tough Statistics project we worked on together. I’m so proud of us for overcoming these academic obstacles together!

Thank you for the support you provided for our studies, be it understanding course materials or teaming up for group projects, I’m glad to have a friend to navigate our first semester in NTU with! It was inspiring to have worked together with you as you showed such a tenacious spirit amidst our projects and assignments. As we continue with our journey in NTU-USP, I hope our friendship will be a pillar of support, be it emotional or academic support, for each other! Let’s strive to thrive together throughout our time in university!

Love,

Hasveen (Y1, BUS)

We love statistics!

To: Dason (Y2, ECPP)

Hey Dason, have a Happy Friendship Day! I am so grateful to have met a wonderful friend like you at NTU-USP. Coming from 2 different majors, with you studying Economics and Public Policy and Global Affairs and me studying Accountancy and Business, I thought we wouldn’t get along because we had different interests. However, I quickly found that difference to be insignificant and our common experiences mattered more in building friendships. It feels only like yesterday when USPresents (NTU-USP’s annual theatre production event) just ended. I remember the countless rehearsal sessions during summer where you poured hours and hours into perfecting your lines and stage movements. After weeks of rehearsals together, I am very proud of your journey going from being an amateur at theatre to taking on the part of our lead character.

Another core memory of mine was our recent adventure with other NTU-USP batchmates to Hanyang University Korea for Winter School. From watching the new Single’s Inferno season on New Year’s Eve to wearing traditional hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace during -9°C weather, and to eating the same peanut cream bread every day during our entire trip. I’m glad to have spent my winter school experience with you! Thank you for the unforgettable experiences and our precious friendship.

Soon, we will both embark on our exchanges. I’m happy that you got your first choice in the NTU-USP Study Abroad Programme and will be spending a semester in Kings College London! Although we’ll be thousands of kilometres apart, I am excited to watch you grow from this experience! Let’s watch Season 4 of Single’s Inferno when we’re both back!

The commendable efforts you’ve put into NTU-USP, leading you to be our very own NTU-USP Club 10^th Executive Committee’s Academic General Affairs Director is truly inspiring! I certainly enjoy going to the events you organised, like the UrExchangeSharing event last semester that got me thrilled for my own exchange experience. Thank you for your hard work!

Here’s to more laughter, iconic moments, and new experiences in the future!

All the best,

Amanda (Y2, ACBS)

1 last picture before our USPresents showtime!

To: Zi Xuan (Y2, DSAI)

Hi Zi Xuan, Happy Friendship Day! I enjoy and treasure all the great times we have had together and all the laughter and joy that you bring to everyone. Reminiscing about old times, I’m grateful for the many opportunities to bond and get to know each other through NTU-USP. From being a senior organising your Freshman Orientation Program and hiding in disguise as a “fake freshie” to our late-night game nights and supper sessions, we have grown significantly closer to each other where we can talk about anything under the sun or moon.

One significant memory I must mention was our recent embarking on the Travel Overseas Programme (TOPS) together. Travelling to Sapa, Vietnam for TOPS as a Group Mentor (GM) was an incredible journey of self-growth and leadership for both of us. Thank you for your support as we guided the freshmen’s TOPS research and planning logistics behind the scenes as part of the committee of TOPS GMs. Moreover, your unwavering dedication to the NTU-USPham community as NTU-USP Club 10^th Executive Committee’s Alumni, Career and Student Outreach Director is truly something I am proud of. Thank you for your contributions!

Also, thank you for the wonderful memories on our winter exchange where you were always willing to lend support whenever needed. It’s truly a blessing to have you not only as a junior but also as a close friend that I can always rely on you for support. As we reflect on our journey, once again, I wanted to thank you for the special times we had together and the accomplishments we celebrated. Here’s to continued growth, success, and more unforgettable times ahead!

Best regards,

Aaron (Y3, PSMA)

Our first not-too-serious picture 😀

To: Jing En (Y1, CS)

Hey Jing En, Happy Friendship Day! I am grateful to have met you through NTU-USP! NTU-USP has been home to me for the past 4 years, where I have made friends with people both younger and older than me. I feel thankful to have become friends with such a talented and sincere individual like you. Being a Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKW) junior, close friend, and musician partner of mine, we have come a long way! Our first interaction began during the NTU-USP admission period when I was your student buddy to share more about the student and campus life experiences before applying to NTU-USP.

I recall being excited to welcome you into the newest class of Year 1 Students at NTU and I was extremely excited and happy that my paired buddy decided to apply to NTU-USP and got in. Being a part of the NTU-USP band with you, our many harmonious fusions of musical exploration helped to deepen our friendship. Each band practice session to performance has created an endless source of joy and inspiration for both of us. For instance, rehearsing together for NTU-USP’s annual back-to-school event and how we are in the midst of practicing for WeeJam, well known as Wee Kim Wee School of Communication band. This will mark a significant accomplishment for us as well as for you as a Year 1 who will be embarking on an external gigs event at Thryft.

I am proud to see your growth as a friend and a person in NTU-USP, from our initial meeting, when you were thinking about applying to NTU-USP, to our current close friendship. I am deeply grateful to NTU-USP for providing me with the greatest and most genuine friendships, and I treasure the sense of community that exists within this second family.

Best wishes,

Gaby (Y4, CS)

Our first B2S (Back to School) Event!

Friendships in NTU-USP are special because it is our differences that make our bonds stronger. Learning alongside peers from different faculties push us to think deeper and beyond what we already know! With our tight-knit community, friendships across faculties and batches like the ones featured are common and celebrated. Let Friendship Day be a day to cherish the bonds we have in our lives! If you haven’t yet, drop your friend a message wishing them a Happy Friendship Day!

Are you a prospective student wondering what the dorm life would look like for you? Let me take you on a captivating journey through my treasured memories in CresPion! I hope to convince you that choosing to stay in CresPion is an experience you would not want to miss! 🙂

Imagine trying to secure a spot in NTU-USP, and when you do, you get to enjoy a first-year guaranteed hall stay at CresPion. Your university life begins with your first orientation, the NTU-USP Freshmen Orientation!

Now, here is the twist: during my time, we were battling COVID-19 with measures such as safe distance, so my orientation was virtual. Nevertheless, I met my very first group of friends in university – a wholesome group of peeps who became my partners in adventuring university. However, as physical orientations are back in motion, you can expect a much more memorable and fulfilling experience!

The real excitement begins the moment after the semester starts, from Week 1. You will participate in an initiative called the “UrSpecialPartner”. Since all participants reside in CresPion, it will be convenient to meet up with fellow freshies to conquer exciting challenges and win prizes. It was through this activity that I had met Eliza!

[First week of Year 1 Sem 1, I was paired with Eliza for the UrSpecialPartner initiative where we gifted each other soft toy for fear of loneliness as a single room resident :”) HAHAHAHAHAHA]

Then, you might ponder about how one might navigate around NTU with its sheer campus size. Fret not! Before school starts, your seniors from NTU-USP will link you up with other students from the same course so that you can make friends and even go to classes together right from the get-go! Not only that, with NTU-USP classes ending at night, you will have the opportunity to head back to the hall as a group. That is exactly what happened to my friends and me during our first year. We grew closer each day, and our friendship is still going strong!

[Year 1 Sem 1,  we were heading back to CresPion after our Living Well class.]

[Year 1 Sem 2, we knew each other from Writing & Reasoning class that took place in Year 1 Sem 1!]

[Year 1 Sem 2, the NBS students walked from CresPion to our examination hall @ SRC :”)]

[Year 2 Sem 2, we had a picnic at Marina Barrage :>]

[Year 3 Sem 1, we had a late night supper near NTU :>]

“Work hard, play hard,” they say. Hunger pangs hitting you in the middle of the night? Your friends are within a stone’s throw away from you within CresPion, making the dream of having frequent late-night suppers with friends a reality! There were days when I received academic consultation from friends in CresPion, to which I am still very touched. :”)

[Year 1 Sem 1, my first supper in NTU 😀]

[Year 1 Sem 2, cooking lunch with Jojo after our final exam ended!]

As a Pioneer resident, I have joined several sub-committee activities to keep myself active. Through these experiences, I met other Pioneer residents. I am really thankful for the people I have met thus far, including a group I met through the Pioneer Orientation Programme.

[Year 2 Sem 2, my second time organising Pioneer Hall Orientation with the same group of friends from Pioneer!]

With these, I hope to have convinced you that staying in CresPion will be a journey filled with fun activities and quality friendships. I believe the memories you will form here will linger in your heart, just like they are in mine. Do not miss the opportunity to make CresPion your second home – it is an avenue for an exciting adventure as adventure awaits!

Submission by: 

Jinie Agilia, Year 3, ACBS

When first offered the opportunity to do my 6-months Professional Internship in Phuket under the NTU Overseas Entrepreneurship Program, I pictured in my mind a tourist resort lined with sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. I imagined myself comfortably reclined, sipping on an ice-cold Blue Lagoon under a beach umbrella, listening to the waves crash against the shore. Naturally, I thought to myself, this would be fun! In reality, I’d never actually been to Phuket before, and all I knew about it was that it was a popular tourist destination famous for scenic beaches and delicious seafood, hence my rather one-dimensional, idyllic vision. 

Despite the enticing prospect of embarking on an adventure in a new environment, I did feel some apprehension. Though I’d worked some odd jobs part-time in the past, this internship would be my first “real” job, at least my first job in my current undergraduate field of study, Aerospace Engineering. The company I would be working in, “Avilon ROBOTICS”, was a drone technology start-up and I would assist with developing hardware, business operations, and whatever else I could add value to. After three years of undergraduate education, I still found myself uncertain when it came to my technical engineering knowledge, having never had professional experience in applying engineering expertise. I was eager to test myself and see whether my theoretical knowledge and in-classroom training had prepared me for real industry work and whether my range of leadership, organizational, and academic experiences were representative of working life.

And so, after spending a precious week back at home after an exhausting yet exhilarating semester exchange in Texas, I touched down at Phuket International Airport on the 4th of January. My new colleagues had arranged dinner and a pick-up to welcome me, and I was eager to get to know them. By observing how they interacted with each other (and me), I quickly found them to be a friendly and closely bonded team, and I grew to appreciate them dearly in the months to come. Despite our cohesion, we were still hindered significantly by the Thai-English language barrier. Though most of them learned English in school growing up in Thailand, we still ran into occasional difficulties especially when discussing matters of greater complexity, like the description of a mechanical malfunction or the function of a regulatory body. And yet, as I slowly picked up more and more conversational Thai, I realized that as much as communication is conducted via words and language, our tones, pitch, cadence, and physical cues convey a wealth of intent and emotion as well. It certainly helped that Thailand and Singapore being both in Southeast Asia, our communication styles had numerous similarities such as Thai having an equivalent of “oi” in Singlish. Having a background in theatre, I found myself already sensitive to the varying forms of communication and utilized them quite heavily to make up for my lack of linguistic fluency.

My first assignment as a drone operator/technician took me to a classy villa resort, not unlike the one I had pictured before albeit without the beach. There, I familiarized myself with the delivery arm of our company’s drone operations assisting with the set-up, maintenance, and flying of our drones. Doubling up as a delivery courier, I found myself chatting with customers and clients, gathering insights into our customer’s needs to feedback to our marketing and business development staff. It was a valuable opportunity to brainstorm with the business arm of the company using insights I gleaned from my first-hand experiences on the ground to adapt our business model to better address this market. It was quite a dynamic experience, and each customer interaction was unique and memorable. My second and current assignment brought me to the company office, where I worked with the drone assembly and development team to design gimbal parts to reduce the vibrations that affected the drone camera quality. It was here that I utilized my engineering degree knowledge on hardware design, mechanical vibrations, and properties of materials. Working with my extremely knowledgeable and talented colleagues, I iterated four generations of designs and managed to achieve some success with my gimbal designs, though still with plenty of room for improvement. It was in the office that I found answers to my prior doubts coming into my internship. I found that self-directed learning combined with a willingness to approach others were critical to picking up necessary skills and that while theoretical knowledge forms the basis of engineering, the execution and operation of aforementioned knowledge is contingent on the wealth of experience accumulated and passed on from generation to generation of engineers. I was very privileged to pick up practical knowledge from the subject matter experts on 3D printing, electronics, software, signals, and even PowerPoint design.

When I return to Singapore, I’ll be bringing back a wealth of experiences and knowledge that I believe will shape my decisions in the near future. I also hope to bring some of the Thai culture I had experienced – the warmth and friendliness of my colleagues, an appreciation for their delectable cuisine, and a less transactional, more generous outlook on life.

Submission by: 

Tsoi Chee Chung, Year 4, Aerospace Engineering

The NTU-USP club has been a tremendous source of enrichment for me. No, I’m not referring to the perks that come with the NTU-USP scholarship. In fact, the club means much more to me than that. It has provided me with an unparalleled experience that extends beyond my academic pursuits and serves as a conduit for cultivating lifelong friendships. It is a platform for us to hone our skills, network with peers, create unforgettable memories, and make meaningful contributions to the broader community beyond NTU-USP.

The aspect that astounds me about our student club is the autonomy we possess to make decisions and curate events, regardless of whether we are a subcommittee member, main committee member, or executive committee member. Having filled each of these roles, I can attest that each role provides unique opportunities for learning and growth. From the inception of an idea to execution and feedback, every step is meticulously curated to create a meaningful event from scratch. Notably, subcommittee members are given the most freedom, in terms of both creative expression and budget, to steer events in the direction they envision. Something as simple as “Oh, a movie night under the stars would be an amazing event” can quickly become a reality.

I cannot conceive of another role that would permit me to embark on shopping sprees and on exam welfare pack items, only to be left red-faced as multiple pairs of eyes observe our army of trolleys filled with drinks and snacks.

The variety of events in the student club is truly exceptional. As a mere year 2 student, I have already participated in a myriad of events ranging from skills workshops to art workshops, community projects, and thought-provoking events such as ministerial dialogues and human libraries. These events not only allow me to connect with my batchmates, but also with senior and junior members of the club. I find that these events are ideal for engaging in candid conversations and learning from each other’s university experiences. They also provide a much-needed breather after a gruelling day of academic pursuits.

This is precisely why I ran for the executive committee; I felt that the club events had so much to offer, and I wanted to give back to the NTU-USP community. Admittedly, the behind-the-scenes work can be exhausting, and I occasionally question whether my efforts for the club are truly worthwhile. Yet, as I reflect on my journey in the student club, I realize that I have gained so much: exposure to diverse topics and skills, unforgettable memories, lasting friendships, and personal growth. I sincerely hope that every NTU-USP club member can enjoy these singular experiences and that the club holds as much meaning and significance for them as it does for me.

Submission by: 

Chappidi Sri Pranita, Year 2, ACBS

As I lug my luggage traversing in the seemingly efficient maze within Changi, I can’t help but get mesmerized by my surroundings. It’s been almost 2 years since I visited Singapore, and back then, the pandemic measures had just started. Nevertheless, in those two years of lockdown, Singapore managed to develop more in a scary yet awe-inspiring way.

Taking a moment to admire this vast space

While walking through cavernous hallways to the MRT, I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking on eggshells. Singapore made me feel like I was in a place where no mistakes should be made, and any hint of such would be embarrassing, which dominated my senses. 

Feeling “small” while waiting for the MRT to the city center

As I walked under the hot sun a day before the Dialogue started, I had this overwhelming feeling that the conference would be strict, perfect, and with no room for mistakes. 

Being proven wrong feels embarrassing, but this is one of the few times I felt euphoric about being wrong.

I immensely enjoyed both the academic and informal sessions. The educational portions were thought-provoking, insightful, and more conversational and experiential than the regular classroom-type sessions. I had the opportunity to learn about passionate efforts toward inclusiveness through Dignity Kitchen and Enabling Village.

Mr. Koh Seng-choon, the founder of Dignity Kitchen, teaching us sign language

Sneaking in a quick picture during a tour at the Enabling Village

What’s even more memorable were the informal excursions with my fellow delegates.

I had the chance to introduce the Philippines, more than the usual beaches and beauty pageants, through our popular TV game show “Hep Hep Hooray” and our popular modern dances such as “Tala”, “Otso-otso”, and “Paro-paro G”, all while wearing Barong Tagalog.

Teaching my fellow delegates the popular Filipino TV show game, “Hep hep Hooray” 

Photo Credit from NTU’s Instagram Page

In addition, the conference had pocket interactions which I cherish. 

We had a hangout on Sentosa island, where we danced by the beach and played football and card games.

Enjoying Sentosa beach and each other’s company

We also rode the trains and buses in groups, all while our local friends would do some anecdotes and fun facts about Singapore.

Dinner at Newton Centre (aka the Crazy Rich Asian Hawker Center scene)

A quick snap before the train arrives!

We even danced the night away as we partied (more of a Zumba session) in a famous club. 

After a sweaty yet memorable party night

We also got to know each other deeper and candidly with late-night talks, either in a hotel room or a park. 

Trying to keep it quiet with our late-night talks and laughs

On our last day at the conference, we had a fitting farewell with an NDP (preparations) firework display and laid down on the warm floor under the Supertree Grove to witness the Gardens by the Bay light show.

Some parting photos after the light show at Gardens by the Bay

As a photographer, I was honored to have captured smiles, laughs, and quirky poses from these amazing and beautiful people.

Through conversations with my fellow Singaporean friends, I understood the city-state deeper beyond the classic touristy lens. I realized firsthand that even as a developed country, Singapore has its fair share of problems and issues that must be addressed.

As I reflect upon the Dialogue’s theme, social cohesion, what made the entire YRAD “cohesive” isn’t the same qualifications of the delegates, such as being achievers or innovative young thinkers, or the “commonalities of our differences”, i.e., various backgrounds and perspectives. Instead, the openness to learn, listen, and collaborate made the entire YRAD experience cohesive yet diverse. 

united in diversity, colors, and smiles

I applied for YRAD in 2020, but I wasn’t accepted. I was disappointed because I really wanted to join the program. Fast forward to 2022, and I applied again. They say the second time’s a charm, but I believe that this time was the right and the perfect time for me to experience such an amazing opportunity and I won’t have it any other way.

Thank you, NTU-USP, for the chance to see, experience, and live Singapore a little bit more than the regular tourist and also for the chance for my friends from all over Asia to experience the warm Filipino hospitality and congeniality that we are known for.

And thank you, Singapore, for inspiring me to dream bigger and aspire deeper for my country so that one day (hopefully soon), I can feel and reminisce a bit of Singapore’s comfort right here, in my home.

Maraming salamat po!

Submission by: 

Gerald John Guillermo, YRAD 2022 Participant