What I Learned About Myself, Others, and The World on Exchange in Singapore 🇸🇬

Quick post to recap what I learned during my exchange experience!

1. Self Growth #

Increased my confidence in overcoming challenging events, like needing a new passport and payment processing issues. Realized there’s no need to stress everything because things will work out one way or another
That I really enjoy solo travel! You meet so many new people such as at hostels, get to do what you want, and take your time
That I am better than most people at living with change, but there are limits to my ability to live transitorily, and that homesickness is real and can be challenging

Learned more about the nature of relationships, and how one can seek genuine connection even if you know it’ll come to an end soon.
Late night drinks with two Swedes and a Waterloo in Seoul
How valuable my existing friendships are and how excited I am to see them again

That hospitality is important and greatly valued — I will try to be more hospitable to others going forward. e.g. at Singapore debate tournaments, and Kota Kinabalu when a rainstorm suddenly hit and I needed help
That I should spend more money to avoid troubles sometimes! One time I didn’t want to pay for an expensive taxi, and then my phone died before I could book another one, so got stuck in the middle of nowhere in Malaysia
That life is worth living because of little moments that just hit for some reason, like food coma napping w/ Christmas music, or being on a speedboat w/ wind in your hair, or late-night supper at a casual Indian restaurant w/ new friends
Exploring Dotonbori in Osaka
That the world is very different in different places, but that humanity is shared and common. We’re all kind of insecure, searching for jobs, and looking for a good laugh
How much I love Christmas!