After 20 hours of flying I am back home in Texas, recounting the entire five month experience of studying in Singapore and traveling throughout Southeast Asia. In one thought, I can describe the experience as one of the most enriching of my college career, if not my life, and am extremely grateful for the opportunity provided by my university. Studying abroad was the perfect chance to place myself out of my comfort zone and expand the horizons of educational and personal goals. Business-speak aside, it was all extremely fun, I met some of the most interesting people I have ever encountered, and saw sights I'd never dreamed of. What better to supplement my non-traditional education than non-traditional travel?
Following my ten-day Indonesia crossing, a few weeks were required to bring myself back up to speed with classes. During this time, a friend and I planned a trip to remember - a whirlwind journey of Hong Kong. In the company of a dozen friends we traversed the city twice over hitting all the sights and sounds; one of my most memorable trips. Additional journeys were made: scuba diving in Borneo, cultural sights in Malaysia, and a final five weeks in Thailand,Cambodia, and Laos during my extra-long winter break. I don't know if I will ever get another chance to travel so extensively, that is the reason I devoted myself to seeing as much as possible.
Studying in Singapore was the real adventure. Unbeknownst to me, all undergraduate classes change professors half-way through the semester, resulting in a complete change of teaching style, assignments, and even class material. This lead to some headaches, but I powered through the semester and passed all classes (all three of them) with moderate grades. Learning in Singapore provided me with the chance to learn in a different educational environment and think in a different style. Becoming a foreign student myself really opened my eyes to the difficulties encountered by international students coming to my home university. I was constantly impressed by students from European countries that know two or three languages from their own secondary education and seem to pick up Malay or Mandarin where needed. These students, coming to Singapore for the weather, travel, and high standards of education, are required by their home universities to study abroad at least one semester before graduating. Apparently these universities understand the value of a diversified education, including learning in environments that the home country cannot provide. Perhaps American schools are catching up in this regard, as evidenced by the availability of the scholarship that allowed me to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey of the sights, sounds, and smells of Southeast Asia.
Finally, for anyone reading this considering an opportunity to study abroad, do it. Whether its Canada or Sri Lanka, do it. The perspective it gives is entirely unique and the experience is unforgettable. This blog is barely a taste of the breadth of experiences. Put yourself out there and go see what you can make of it; you'll be a richer person for it.
