At a young age, I was never interested in geography. I remember playing with the world globe
and never bothering to learn the names of the countries, as I told myself, "You're never going to
leave the USA." Now I'm in Singapore, exploring areas where my physical appearance is unique.
Hi, my name is Jesus, and this is my story about being LGBT and Hispanic within Singapore,
which has been proven to be the melting pot of Asia. As someone who is always pushing for
growth educationally and interpersonally, this opportunity was exciting to me. Doing an
internship in Singapore for finance was one of my top picks when I started looking at options
with GlobalWorks.
The chance to intern in both a new environment and also one of the strongest economic hubs
was reason enough to want to go. After doing more research, I learned of its safety, its insane
food variety, and how it can serve as a hub for a majority of other countries nearby. My first
impressions of the city started with a 6 am arrival.
While culture shock can usually start at the
airport as soon as you land, Singapore was different. With English being the main language
taught in schools and the language used in business, the delay of my cultural shock was offset until I got on my train to my accommodations. It is within this city that I have learned how far I truly am from my roots. While at home in Oregon, I am easily seen as Mexican American; this label is almost nonexistent here. Unlike Oregon, I have yet to see someone who looks like me, nor do I think that others here have truly seen or know what a Mexican American looks like.
While talking to locals this past first week, I have found out through the handful of
conversations I've had that a majority of them have assumed that I am of Asian ancestry. In my
eyes, I cannot see the resemblance, but I can understand and appreciate how unique my situation
is here in Singapore. Singapore has truly earned its nickname as the melting pot of Asia, with so
many different cultures from Asia intertwined in a city that feels so personal, as biking, walking,
and local commuting are the main modes of transportation. These modes of transportation have really
shifted my focus from not only what is ahead of the steering wheel but also to all the offerings of
my surroundings here in Singapore. Moving at a slower pace has allowed me to process how
much I am growing here. Being separated from the familiar labels of Oregon and navigating a
city where my identity is unique has forced me to redefine who I am on my own terms.
Ultimately, Singapore is not just expanding my professional horizons in finance, but it is also
reshaping how I view my own identity and place in the world.
