Singapore always has a special place in my heart
It was a privilege for me to live and work in a beautiful country like Singapore. It marked the first time I lived abroad, a little nervous actually. However, I was optimistic about my future prospect and excited to explore a new environment.
I was a complete stranger to Singapore. The people here speak languages that I neither know nor speak fluently. They commute by car or public transport while I ride a motorbike in Vietnam. I felt excited rather than challenged. Isn’t it boring when everything is familiar?
I used to work as a research assistant at NTU, a new experience that always took me out of my comfort zone. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with professional and talented researchers and medical doctors on multiple projects including flexible endoscopic surgery that I believe will deliver impactful outcomes to the community.
Photo: Changi Airport – the world’s best airport
I enjoyed my life in Singapore. I slowly experienced and appreciated this small but beautiful and clean country in many different ways. Like other travellers, I visited Singapore’s famous attractions such as the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, Singapore Zoo, and National Orchid Garden. I admire Singaporean because they really know how to do tourism regardless of their limited resources.
But unlike most tourists, I had the privilege of staying so I had a chance to discover more about the country’s way of life. I satisfied my sense of belonging by participating in local community activities. I was a member of Nanyang Zone 4 Community where we gardened together and organised community events including the Mid-Autumn Festival, Kampong Day, and more.
I also exposed myself to a wide range of experiences from prayer communities to sports clubs (inline skating, ice skating, running, swimming), fishing and hiking. These activities helped me connect with more people and introduced me to other less well-known places in Singapore like Kranji, Punggol, and East Coast.
I left Singapore three years ago to pursue my PhD in Australia. Thank you Singapore and all the people who came across my life during my precious four years of youth.
Phuoc Thien Phan 
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