After spending more than 4 and a half months in the United States, I think it’s time for me to sit down and do a bit of self-reflection. Prior to going for exchange there, I told myself that I am going to the USA with no expectations and to be prepared for anything to happen. Well, after spending a semester in a state that is totally different from Singapore, I dare say that a lot of unexpected things happened, some good, some bad, and others in between. Midwest America is a charming place, but not for the typical narrow-minded Singaporean who is used to comfort and efficiency. But then again, I am not a typical Singaporean, as Sam said, and I would not trade ulu Missouri for urban New York for anything in the world. So these are my one-dollar worth of thoughts about my experience in the US, if you care to read them:
1) Did I enjoy my semester at Mizzou, or was it a torture to wake up and go to class everyday?
You know what? I think my semester at Mizzou was the best I’ve had in all my years of school. You may say that the grass is always greener on the other side, or you may say that one can’t compare apples with oranges, but I really felt that the stuff I learnt at Mizzou is actually worth learning about and I am learning for the sake of wanting to know more things, and not because I just want to get an A+ to maintain my oh-so-perfect GPA. The professors here are really friendly and helpful and I think I have learnt to speak up a lot more in this friendly and forgiving class environment. Of course, there are many things which have room for improvement in the American education system, but I think at least for the J-Sch at Mizzou, it is simply one of the best due to its established programme and strong reputation. I was really inspired to learn more while I was at Mizzou.
2) Did I get an American immersion, or did I just flock to people of my same “feather”?
While I admit that it was not easy making friends with Americans, especially when I was staying at an international students’ dorm, I am proud to say that the few American friends that I have made are really people whom I can count on and that I will remember and cherish very fondly for the rest of my life. Rachel is simply the most genuinely nice person that I have ever met in my life and I really thank God that I got to know her. And perhaps Rachel is not so much of a typical American so that she does not really count. But Jeanne is also a cherished friend who really went beyond her way to show me a slice of Midwest American life. She let me stayed in her great-grandmother house at Jefferson City, then at her Uncle’s house at Kansas City, and taught me a lot about the American culture and how Americans live their lives. One mistake I made when I went for a 3-week science summer school in Melbourne, Australia 4 years ago in JC was that I did not make too many international friends because I was too busy trying to stick with the Singaporean students who went with me because I am not sociable by nature. So this time around I made sure that I don’t keep sticking to Singaporeans or Malaysians or Chinese people whom I felt comfortable with because we share a similar culture. So I am glad that while I did not make as many American friends as I would have liked, I made a bunch of friends from all over the world-enough to make me view Singapore in a very different perspective and enough to allow me to travel to different parts of Europe (France, UK, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro) and Asia (Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong) and even Africa (Morocco, Burkina Faso, Ghana) if I wanted to without worrying about accommodation and crappy tour guides because I know that I will always be welcomed to stay at one of my friends’ place.
3) Did I make any “lifelong” friends, or were they all just acquaintances?
This I have to thank Eveline for opening up a lot of doors for me when we first got to Columbia and started making friends. She was the one who took the initiative to go around meeting new people and I just happened to tag along. So most of the friends I made were through Eveline, but I eventually got to know them better and became more confident with hanging out with them. I must say that most of the friends I made were just acquaintances, but a small handful are definitely what I consider “lifelong” friends-namely Rachel, Anamaria, Yuko, Cecile, Sam and Jeanne. So yes, six is a small number but still it’s more than zero.
4) What are the things I liked best about the US?
The friendly people, the creative and nurturing environment. People here have time to enjoy their lives, stopping to say hi to complete strangers and appreciate nature. I think this is something that Singaporeans really have to learn to do. Not all hard work leads to success. Sometimes, inspiration helps a lot and only a rested and relaxed mind can allow inspiration to flourish.
5) What are the things I hated most about the US?
Just two things. One, the horrible and unhealthy food. Two, the crazy weather. America is indeed, a fast-food nation. Americans should be brought to the rest of the world and see for themselves what the rest of the world eats. And I think I may never get used to the weather in Missouri even if I were to live there for 10 years.
6) Would I rather stay in America or in Singapore?
That is a question that I constantly think about. Now that I’ve been to “the other side”, the grass is not necessarily greener. But it is definitely more exciting and challenging. And I relish in new experiences, although I am also a sucker for nostalgia and sentiments. Singapore is where I grew up and where I know that I will always have people who love me, but I am not sure if it will remain my home in the future. I’ve always been interested in geography since I was a kid, and I think part of the reason is because I am fascinated by the world and the rest of the people staying in it. So who knows, maybe I’ll end up in some remote corner of the world one day. The short answer to this question is I don’t know.
7) Would I want to go back again?
Definitely. Perhaps as a graduate student, or even to work there. But I have this fear that everything will change if I go back and I will just be clinging on to past nostalgia and memories and end up being disappointed with America. So the short answer to this question is that I shall see what the future holds for me and decide later.
1) Did I enjoy my semester at Mizzou, or was it a torture to wake up and go to class everyday?
You know what? I think my semester at Mizzou was the best I’ve had in all my years of school. You may say that the grass is always greener on the other side, or you may say that one can’t compare apples with oranges, but I really felt that the stuff I learnt at Mizzou is actually worth learning about and I am learning for the sake of wanting to know more things, and not because I just want to get an A+ to maintain my oh-so-perfect GPA. The professors here are really friendly and helpful and I think I have learnt to speak up a lot more in this friendly and forgiving class environment. Of course, there are many things which have room for improvement in the American education system, but I think at least for the J-Sch at Mizzou, it is simply one of the best due to its established programme and strong reputation. I was really inspired to learn more while I was at Mizzou.
2) Did I get an American immersion, or did I just flock to people of my same “feather”?
While I admit that it was not easy making friends with Americans, especially when I was staying at an international students’ dorm, I am proud to say that the few American friends that I have made are really people whom I can count on and that I will remember and cherish very fondly for the rest of my life. Rachel is simply the most genuinely nice person that I have ever met in my life and I really thank God that I got to know her. And perhaps Rachel is not so much of a typical American so that she does not really count. But Jeanne is also a cherished friend who really went beyond her way to show me a slice of Midwest American life. She let me stayed in her great-grandmother house at Jefferson City, then at her Uncle’s house at Kansas City, and taught me a lot about the American culture and how Americans live their lives. One mistake I made when I went for a 3-week science summer school in Melbourne, Australia 4 years ago in JC was that I did not make too many international friends because I was too busy trying to stick with the Singaporean students who went with me because I am not sociable by nature. So this time around I made sure that I don’t keep sticking to Singaporeans or Malaysians or Chinese people whom I felt comfortable with because we share a similar culture. So I am glad that while I did not make as many American friends as I would have liked, I made a bunch of friends from all over the world-enough to make me view Singapore in a very different perspective and enough to allow me to travel to different parts of Europe (France, UK, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro) and Asia (Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong) and even Africa (Morocco, Burkina Faso, Ghana) if I wanted to without worrying about accommodation and crappy tour guides because I know that I will always be welcomed to stay at one of my friends’ place.
3) Did I make any “lifelong” friends, or were they all just acquaintances?
This I have to thank Eveline for opening up a lot of doors for me when we first got to Columbia and started making friends. She was the one who took the initiative to go around meeting new people and I just happened to tag along. So most of the friends I made were through Eveline, but I eventually got to know them better and became more confident with hanging out with them. I must say that most of the friends I made were just acquaintances, but a small handful are definitely what I consider “lifelong” friends-namely Rachel, Anamaria, Yuko, Cecile, Sam and Jeanne. So yes, six is a small number but still it’s more than zero.
4) What are the things I liked best about the US?
The friendly people, the creative and nurturing environment. People here have time to enjoy their lives, stopping to say hi to complete strangers and appreciate nature. I think this is something that Singaporeans really have to learn to do. Not all hard work leads to success. Sometimes, inspiration helps a lot and only a rested and relaxed mind can allow inspiration to flourish.
5) What are the things I hated most about the US?
Just two things. One, the horrible and unhealthy food. Two, the crazy weather. America is indeed, a fast-food nation. Americans should be brought to the rest of the world and see for themselves what the rest of the world eats. And I think I may never get used to the weather in Missouri even if I were to live there for 10 years.
6) Would I rather stay in America or in Singapore?
That is a question that I constantly think about. Now that I’ve been to “the other side”, the grass is not necessarily greener. But it is definitely more exciting and challenging. And I relish in new experiences, although I am also a sucker for nostalgia and sentiments. Singapore is where I grew up and where I know that I will always have people who love me, but I am not sure if it will remain my home in the future. I’ve always been interested in geography since I was a kid, and I think part of the reason is because I am fascinated by the world and the rest of the people staying in it. So who knows, maybe I’ll end up in some remote corner of the world one day. The short answer to this question is I don’t know.
7) Would I want to go back again?
Definitely. Perhaps as a graduate student, or even to work there. But I have this fear that everything will change if I go back and I will just be clinging on to past nostalgia and memories and end up being disappointed with America. So the short answer to this question is that I shall see what the future holds for me and decide later.
1 comment:
singapore is weird, isn't it. for the time being anyway. let's make a bet on who'll readapt faster. i don't think it'll be me though.
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