Now that I'm back home after 3 weeks in Singapore, it feels like a good time to reflect on the goals I had before the study abroad program. My biggest academic goal was to gain a better understanding of the Singaporean government’s admirable relationship with the private sector and it's population, which I can confidently say I achieved. A personal goal was to talk to others on the cohort early, and take every opportunity to go explore a new place in our (very little) downtime, and I'm so glad I did because half of what I believe in this study abroad experience came from the activities I did outside of class. Another personal goal was to not faint if I happened to get a little cut. Failed that one but that's a different story… I didn't think I'd have to use the required travel health insurance, but turns out I did; I could get fully refunded a few hundred dollars after seeing the doctor over there. I just had to book a clinic, keep the receipt, and then call the insurance, so it was a pretty reasonable process.
Image
Even though I saw and experienced and learned on this trip, it was short. At only 3 weeks, it's currently the shortest architecture program at UO, which was perfect because I didn't want to be far away from family for too long during the summer break. So I expected everything to be the same when I came back home to the US, but things had changed without me. Gas prices are 50 cents more than before (now consistently over $5 a gallon), my cat now miraculously likes my boyfriend's dad (they're two peas in a pod), and one of my best friends got the full-time job she's been after for months (she really deserves it)! Taking some time away allowed me to also notice things I took for granted before, like my favorite milkshake from the shop down the street from my mom's or being free to sip said milkshake on public transit without a fine in the hundreds of dollars (there's a reason Singapore is nicknamed the “Fine City”). Just reminds me of how life goes on, and I should do the same; always keep moving forward. You'll rust if you stay in the same place.
This is the third and final post of my Ducks Ambassador scholarship blog series! Apply for it when you go abroad:)
Oh and follow me on my Instagram architecture page: @arch.by.instinct
Sophia Crawford, Diverse Ducks Ambassador
Building Integrated Agriculture in Singapore
Image