SWITZERLAND - SINGAPORE Bi-lateral youth exchange programme 29th August – 08th September SWISS YOUTH DELEGATION Nadine Bosshard Florian Büchel Mathias Caprez Thomas Charrière Martial Keller Petra Köppel Janine Meier Oliver Meli Michaela Näscher Mathuran Poopalapillai Rebecca Schmid Martin Stypinski SWISS YOUTH DELEGATION ORGANISERS Corina Arpagaus-Rohner Albin Reichlin Dear National Youth Achievement Award Council, Dear Boncafé International Pte Ltd., Dear Swissnex Singapore, Dear Embassy Singapore, Dear Singaporean Helpers and Guides, Dear Direction University of Applied Sciences East Switzerland, Dear Dean International Relations University of St. Gallen On behalf of this year's Swiss delegation we would like to thank the National Youth Achievement Award Council again for so kindly hosting the group of exchange students in Singapore. We highly value the close relationship that was built up during many years of collaboration and we are looking forward to welcoming the Singaporean delegation in 2014 during their stay in Switzerland. It goes without saying that our stay in Singapore was a unique and amazing experience. Not only did we make so many new friends but we were also able to embrace Singapore's culture and view Singapore from a Singaporean perspective. Thank you very much. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Day 1 – Friday 30.08.13 ........................................................................................................................... 4 Day 2 – Saturday 31.08.13 ....................................................................................................................... 6 Day 3 – Sunday 01.09.13 ......................................................................................................................... 8 Day 4 – Monday 02.09.13 ...................................................................................................................... 10 Day 5 – Tuesday 03.09.13 ...................................................................................................................... 13 Day 6 – Wednesday 04.09.13 ................................................................................................................ 15 Day 7 – Thursday 05.09.13 .................................................................................................................... 17 Day 8 – Friday 06.09.13 ......................................................................................................................... 20 Day 9 – Saturday 07.09.13 ..................................................................................................................... 23 2 PROGRAMME OVERVIEW Day 1 - Singapore Discovery Centre - Night Safari Day 2 - Gardens by the Bay - Chinatown - Chinatown Heritage Centre - Day 3 Visit to a Singaporean Home - Community Centre Day 4 - Singapore Management University, Centre for English Communication - Singapore Polytechnic - ITE College West Day 5 - Marina Barrage Lorong Halus Day 6 - Masjid Sultan - Malay Heritage Centre - Sentosa Island Day 7 - Embassy of Switzerland - Swiss School Association - LGT Bank in Liechtenstein AG, Vaduz, Representative Office Singapore - Biopolis Day 8 - Boncafe International Pte Ltd - Little India Day 9 - Own Leisure 3 Day 1 – Friday 30.08.13 Flight SQ 345 After a twelve hour flight we arrived safely in Singapore with one of Singapore Airline's A380. The weather: 28 °C – wonderful! After collecting our baggage we were greeted by three members of the National Youth Achievement Awards Council (NYAA Council) of Singapore. One of Singapore Airlines A380’s at Zurich Airport Our accommodation (Pasir Ris Holiday Flats) was located on the east side of Singapore right on the beach. While some needed to sleep off the jetlag, others seized the opportunity to go jogging in the Pasir Park just next to our accommodation. Singapore Discovery Centre The aim of the Singapore Discovery Centre is to inform Singaporean and tourists on the history, mentality and culture of Singapore. Did you know that Singapore comes from the Malay word Singapura (Singa = Lion, Pura = City)? Actually, you can find lions on everything in Singapore: Money, Singapore's Crest, landmarks and statues dotted around the city. We were introduced to several words in Singlish that is composed of a mix of Chinese/Malay and English). For example: Kopi-o (black coffee), Kopi-c (coffee with evaporated milk). 4 Our first of many group pictures at the Discovery Centre Singapore's history may be short but it is very interesting, the country has faced many challenges and has many more to solve. An example is Singapore's water supply: Currently most of the country's water supply comes from Malaysia but soon the country will be completely self-sufficient by utilising new reservoirs. The main message we learnt from the tour: Singaporean's are very proud of their country and heritage. Night Safari Eric and Jeanette, two further members of the NYAAC, joined us for the evening activity: Night Safari. It is a special programme developed by the Zoo of Singapore to introduce people to nocturnal animals in their natural environment. Show at the Night Safari The Night Safari started off with a show of trained animals. Afterwards we boarded a tram to travel through the zoo's own jungle, enabling us to get up really close to the animals (0.5-3 m) you would otherwise not be able to see due to the dark. 5 Day 2 – Saturday 31.08.13 After sleeping off our jetlag, we were ready for the second day of our Singaporean adventure. We started with a delicious breakfast at Starbucks – so our stomachs would not be overwhelmed by the local cuisine on the first day. We then headed together with Jeanette and Nicholas to the famous Gardens by the Bay. – Jeanette took part in the exchange last year and came to Switzerland. Gardens by the Bay Singapore is known as the garden city of Asia, one of the most impressive gardens is the "Gardens by the Bay". This garden consists of several different exhibits, of which we visited two: the OCBC Skyway and the Lost World Dome. In spite of the hot weather we took some group pictures outside and then climbed up onto the OCBC Skyway – a modern combination of architecture, art and of course gardening. From the bridge we had a fantastic view onto the city and the marina. View from the OCBC Skyway onto the city and the marina After our descent to ground level we visited the lost world dome – Insider tip: If you fly Singapore Airlines you get a rebate on the entry fee! The dome consists of a miniature mountain and a spiral walkway up to the top, where they even produce artificial clouds! They have planted flowers and plants from all over Asia, the orchids were especially impressive. With all its colours and its beauty the garden was a paradise. 6 Chinatown After strolling through the gardens, we continued our day in Chinatown, where we had our first authentic Chinese cuisine, eating with the locals. We weren't all too sure what all the ingredients of the meal were but it tasted delicious! For our afternoon activity Jason and Eric from the NYAAC joined us. After we regained our strength from the morning excursion, we visited a Chinese Buddhist temple. It was beautifully decorated with red walls and hundreds of Buddha statues. We even had the chance to observe a Buddhist ceremony, accompanied with kind explanations by Jeanette, whose parents are Buddhist. In front of the Chinese Buddhist temple At the Chinatown Heritage Centre we were introduced to the history of the first wave of Chinese immigrants and their treacherous journey from poverty stricken China to Singapore. We then discovered Chinatown by ourselves – there are thousands of shops! It was a good chance for us to buy souvenirs for our families and friends at home. The Mall Somerset 313 Our guides decided it was time to introduce us the Singapore's vast public transport system. It was very crowded and busy but thanks to our guides we easily found the way to our next destination: the Somerset Mall 313 with its seven floors and numerous shops. It was time to do what most Singaporeans love to do: shop until you drop. Well, the girls that is! On the top floor was the food court: various food stands offering all kinds of food, from traditional Chinese soups up to western Pizza. We needed to fill our stomachs to prepare for a social event close to the river, where we enjoyed Singapore's most famous drink: Singapore Sling. After travelling back to our flats we ended the evening with a get together next to the beach. 7 Day 3 – Sunday 01.09.13 Visiting a Singaporean home After an adventurous car ride through the area we entered a typical Singaporean house to learn more about the living situation, culture and lifestyle of the locals. We were welcomed with open arms, warm smiles as well as freshly prepared pastries, snacks and fruits. As it was the home of a Chinese family we were able to meet the grandmother (who is also the boss of the house), parents and cousins of our host Clement who all live under one roof. As the house was built ca. 1960, the size of the house and surrounding grounds are very spacious compared to modern houses as space is now considered an absolute luxury. We were overwhelmed by the hospitality, kindness and openness that we encountered. We were given a tour of their rooms, pets and garden of the family. We felt that we had received a one in a lifetime opportunity to see into the home and life of a Singaporean family! Delicious homemade cuisine To Clement's family we again say: 谢谢你招待我们 – thank you for your hospitality!