Reflections by Siok Chen

Having attended a summer programme at Peking University just last year, there were inevitable comparisons between the students at Peking University and the Chinese delegates of this programme. While Peking students are studious and ambitious (taking 6-7 or more modules in university is the norm), the students of Tianjin, Tongji, Nankai and East China (Science & Tech) are more laid-back and fun. But as far as general impressions go, the differences could probably be attributed to the fact that the delegates are not in their home country and are instead on a ‘holiday’.

Having said that, through the few days of interaction, what struck me the most is how I ought to be thankful of what I am given and where I am. While the Chinese delegates ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the fantastic greenery present in Singapore, I rarely even stop to appreciate it and perhaps only complain for the lack of trees when the weather gets too hot. While Chinese delegates worry about the worth of their degrees in China (and having learnt that most pursue a masters to make them more marketable), I once complained about not being able to study overseas for a more prestigious degree. [NUS patriots, please don’t bash me, my thinking stemmed from my educational background and is no longer representative of my thinking now].

While they have to tolerate (and perhaps also accept) some unfairness in the political, educational and social systems of China, we complain (and I speak generically of the Singapore culture) all the time about everything political, educational and social, sometimes without being grateful for the benefits (for what it’s worth) Singapore has given us. Before I ramble on and stumble into the realm of NE, perhaps its last to add the Chinese delegates taught me what’s really called 知足.

Lastly, a big thank you to everyone, especially Group 3 for making the Singapore leg such a fun and memorable experience for me. Special thanks to the Chinese delegates in Group 3 - Mao Mao for being so crazily fun (seriously, her Lady Gaga moves were phenomenal), Chi Lin for being such a foodie-durian lover and basically treated to us to 毛山王 durians, Liang Chen for fascinating me with the food he has eaten (according to him - everything under the sky and within his means, except rats), Ling Zi for providing me lots of insights and gossips, Xiao Lin for being so hospitable (in advance) – she was the first to check with us on where we want to go when we are in Shanghai, Wang Ting for telling me so much about 内蒙古 and its culture (which is really fascinating), and everyone else for being really enthusiastic, sporting and fun!