UTAS X YLL AMSEP 2016 Day 5

It's FOODIE THURSDAY! It was a usual hot and humid day in Singapore but things got a little spicier when we brought our Tasmanian buddies to try out a Thai food place called Nakhon at Holland Village. It is dubbed as one of the yummiest and most affordable Thai food in this city state! (not advertising for Thai food or anything but it is really good). My buddy and I shared a Phad Thai, Thai style Fried Kway Teow, Pandan Chicken and not forgetting our not-so-spicy Seafood Tom Yum soup! It was a scrumptious meal and the sweltering heat definitely did not dampened our high spirits.

After lunch, we strolled pass some of the more famous cafes in Holland Village and ogled at the mouth-watering desserts before heading to school for Ethics tutorials. We had an ever-confusing and enlightening lesson where some of the exchange students were asked about their views by our lovely Professors. Our buddies were taken aback at how intense our debates can get and it was definitely an eye-opener for them.

We spent the evening at the big shopping malls in Jurong East where our Tasmanian buddies got the chance to buy souvenirs and gifts either for themselves or for their families! We spent a very long time roaming around the malls for food places to eat as there were so many good food to choose from! At last we settled for Japanese food at Ichiban Boshi, which is the one-stop place for average-priced Jap food in Singapore!

I have learnt a lot from today about the vast differences between standards of living between Singapore and Australia albeit both being first-world countries. One plate of Phad Thai costs around $5 in Singapore while it costs $18 in Aussie! I'm really glad for this opportunity to bring my buddy around to eat cheap and yummy food which would otherwise be too expensive for them back in Australia. I've also learnt to count my blessings to be in a place where affordable and delectable foods are readily available for "poor" uni students (like myself) and there is truly nothing like home when it comes to having a food haven just a stone's throw away.

Cheryl Goh, M1, YLLSoM

UTAS x YLL AMSEP 2016 Day 3

Wednesday (13/01/2016) :

The day started late as the exchange students are tired out from the past few days activities and some had personal activities.

The group met at Yio Chu Kang at 1.30pm. We were on our way to Thye Hua Guan hospital to carry out a community service program. The program was to encourage and accompany the patients of who are mostly elderly in the hospital to take part in a lively Karaoke session together. We reached the hospital at 2pm and had a briefing for a short while before heading over to fetch our patients from their beds. Many of them were reluctant at first but a significant number still agreed. We were not allowed to transfer the patients but we wheeled them from the bedsides to the Karaoke room.

There were many songs of the elderly's generation being played and many of us naturally are not familiar with. We then accompanied them in the Karaoke session. When the session was over, we wheeled the patients back to their bedsides and said our goodbyes. It was an enjoyable 2 hours with our elderly friends. It was also a new and memorable memory for our friends from UTAS.

We proceeded to Kampong Glam to check out the olden shops there and to show the exchange students around. It was a place where we think would portray Singapore's heritage well to the exchange students. It was a short shopping trip and we proceeded to have dinner at Bumbu restaurant for traditional Peranakan food. We ordered dishes like sambal kangkong, olive fried rice and green curry chicken for the exchange students and we enjoyed a good meal together.

After dinner we proceeded towards Bugis library to show the exchange students the large Bugis central library that many Singaporeans study at or probably visited it before.

The day ends here and we left for home.

UTAS x YLL AMSEP 2016 Day 2

Day two of the exchange continued with a visit to the attractions at Resorts World Sentosa! After having a Singaporean breakfast of kaya toast with soft boil eggs at Ya Kun, the group headed over to Sentosa, all geared up for the day ahead.

The first attraction visited was RWS Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium, where the group marvelled at the different species of maritime life, from the agile sharks to the graceful manta rays. This was then followed by lunch at Malaysian Food Street, where the students were able to enjoy delicacies like Bak Kut Teh, Char Kway Teow and Chendol! The next stop of the day was a trip to the trippy Trick Eye Museum where we were all amused and amazed by the illusions that were portrayed. Pictures were taken, faces were made and everyone had a good laugh! After walking around at Vivo City, we ended the day, full from food, fun and laughter!

UTAS x YLL AMSEP 2016 Day 1

We kicked off the UTASxYLL AMSEP, with Plant Sunday. What better way to bond then spend a day appreciating some beautiful plants? We had a lovely afternoon “plant appreciating” at Gardens by the Bay, (although honestly, we didn’t know much about the plants). We then proceeded for local fare at Lau Pa Sat, where we stuffed ourselves silly with Hokkien Mee, Satay, Carrot Cake and all the goodness Singaporean cuisine has to offer.

It really is a true privilege and great blessing to be part of this exchange. It is simply amazing how one can meet a complete stranger from the other side of the globe, share life stories, fall into deep lengthy conversations and forge friendships, all within a day.

“Day 1 was really fun!! We went to Gardens by the Bay and it was an extremely enlightening experience that was made by the fostering of good friendships and good food ;) Thanks for hosting us UTAS students in Singapore!” – Urna Rahman, Year 1 Medical Student, UTAS.

Overall, it was a good day of plants, incredible food and lovely table conversations.

Faith Ong, M1, YLL