This was the first day that the students from SHCC and SRJC got to meet each other. I was assigned along with Vanessa Neo to the SHCC student named Theodora Cho. The events that were planned out today were as follows, the initial meeting, a presentation by the SHCC students as well as some team bonding games after that.
The next part of the day proceeded without much fuss except that we soon realized that there was not going to be much interaction between the SHCC students from Bus A and the students from Bus B. Almost every part of this twinning program saw the separation of the two groups except for lunch as well as the shopping trips. The trip through little India and Arab Street was interesting as I also as a Singaporean learned a lot of knowledge during those trips as well and they served to immerse both the SRJC and SHCC students into the local culture of Singapore
DAY 3 of Twinning Program 2008
That morning we were about to head to the southern ridges to trek on the wild side of Singapore. This experience proved to be both enriching as well as a good team bonding session for the various groups. Many thanks to shafiz for planning out the route for us. The lunch session at Vivocity was also a good call as it enabled us to let the HK students try out local foods in a somewhat local environment in FoodRepublic on the third floor. Most of them bought uniquely Singaporean food such as chicken rice and Hokkien Mee to eat while some Singapore students like me and several others went around to buy finger food such as Satay and Rojak to let them try and they loved it. The Shopping trip at Vivocity was also enjoyable as it was the first time the girls got to shop in Singapore.
The trip to the Singapore discovery centre was also nice as it also enabled them to understand what Singapore had to go through to achieve and be where it is today.
DAY 4 of Twinning Program 2008
Out of the 4 days, day 4 was perhaps the most enjoyable day among the 5 days. This was because of the trips to the museums around Singapore. During those trips, the history and art of Singapore was really showcased to not only to the Hong Kong students but the Singaporean students as well. The library visit also showcased the lives of normal Singaporeans and gave the hong kong students a chance to snap photos of the Singapore landscape from the unobstructed view of the city. The food that was provided may be too much for all the students to eat as there were always lots of leftovers after we have finished the meal and I feel that this was very wasteful. The shopping time after the dinner was insufficient, for the girls at least, and their shopping was rushed and hurried. Maybe they could have been given more time? I have no reflection about the homestay as I’m a guy.
DAY 5 of Twinning Program 2008
The guys realized how hard it was to carry luggage for the girls down almost 5 floors of the maris stella hostel. The 3 hours of freedom at East CoastPark gave all the students the time to exchange gifts with each other and say their goodbyes. The last hours with the students were also very fun and enjoyable. When the SHCC students were about to leave for the departure gate. I don’t know for the rest of the people but I felt that since I will be seeing them again in three weeks time, there was no need to so teary like what so many girls were doing. A handshake to say bye. that was all
