Jacelyn’s reflections 4.0

Enjoy and benefitted most

It’s still spending time and having fun with the students and my schoolmates. I’ve met, I’ve learnt and I’ve lots of fun with them. I think the picture of my schoolmates and the Thailand kids’ having fun, would always be deeply carved in my heart. 

Difficult/ Worst 

It’ll be the parting between us & us and the Thailand kids. The strong bond that was established in these three days was something that did not occur to me before the trip. It was unexpected that I’ll have so much fun together with my friends and the students. Language barrier was then nothing to us anymore. In addition, today will be the last day of our trip. When we’re back in Singapore or in school, communicate between us will not occur as frequent as during the trip. However this being said, there wasn’t a point of time in the trip when I regretted the decision of taking part in this Overseas Service Learning Program. No matter what is going to happen in the future, the memories of this trip will always be with me for eternity. 

Learning Point ~

The trip to the royal sufficiency, taught me a valuable lesson and one of them would be : do not take things for granted. Back in Singapore, as students, we have all the resources we need. But in Thailand, they do not have the luxury to be blessed with the resources we have. But compare to the learning attitude between the students from the two country, there’s a significant difference. Although they might not have resources we have, they are much more appreciative and much more eager to learn compared to us. And although we have the resources, we would be whining and complaining, instead of thinking of how to improve ourselves and spend our time wisely. 

Act differently in Singapore ~

Everyone have 24 hours, and it depends on how we spend and prioritize our materials. Instead of spending a non-efficient 24 hours, I would now set a timetable for myself to control and spend my time wisely. Additionally, in Thailand, I’ve learnt a lot about their culture. One would be : Being considerate and respecting, not only the elders, but everyone. It is a basic action everyone in the world must attain, but there are still moments, whereby we subconsciously do things which will disrespect and make others feel uncomfortable / unhappy. Therefore, when I’m back in Singapore, I would be more mindful of the words I use and the actions I do. 

Jacelyn’s Reflection 3.0

1. I think these three days plays a huge part in my life and it’ll always be with me. At first, I thought that it wasn’t going to be fun trip, cause of the word “Service Learning”. But the moment I stepped into the school, I receive a welcoming reception from all the students that I met. It was really heartwarming. And the fact that, the language barrier could be overcomes by demonstration and the bonds between the Thai students and us, it’s was a very memorable experience. And such experience are really rare and I appreciate all the help and unconditional support from the students and teachers.
2. How these three days impacted me ~ I feel that I’ve become a better person. I thought that three day wasn’t enough for the students to bond with us, however, ONE day was enough for us to establish a strong bond between each other. The parting was brutal, however I feel that the parting was the most memorable one. Many students from different level came to send us. And there was this one particular student whom I’ve met, Although I met from other level classes, not for long, he did not left the school until we left. He amount of hugs he given, was really touching and I would never forget how just a few minutes would touch my heart. 

Jacelyn’s reflection 2.0

1. “Lowlights” ~ It was raining heavily. Our plan were disturbed by the heavy pour. Our teaching area were flooded with water, causing much inconvenience to the students, ourselves and teacher-in charge. 
2. Highlights ~ However due to the heavy pour, we get to meet new people. Not just the level that our individual group is in charge of, we met people of our own level ; secondary three. It was surprising that they were as welcoming and open as our Primary Three and Primary Six students. We also got to exchange our online platforms, for instance, Instagram. Allowing us to stay in touch with them even after we depart back to Singapore. 
3. What I’ve learnt ~ Standing from different perspectives. Wars are always brutal, thousands and of people will suffer from the war. In history, we were taught about the Japanese Occupation. And we always sees the 1940s Japanese as brutal, cruel and took many of our Singaporeans’ life. However in the 1940s, Thailand and Japan have established a close relationship. The thais allow Japanese to use a empty temple, as their base. There will be many speculations of the world war and maybe it was at the nation’s interest to allow Japanese to use the empty temple in ChiangMai as the base. 

Jacelyn‘S Day 1 Reflection

1.First impression of the school~ I thought the school will be much more “kampong” style.

2.What surprised me the most~ I was very much astound by the extreme weather. It was much more warmer and unbearable than what I was expecting before the trip.

3.Confidence level of my team~ 8. Communication and teamwork plays a huge part for the most efficient and enjoyable lesson to ensue. And it goes without saying that we are all working towards the better of oneself.

4. Savored all the moments.

Local VIA @ Willing Hearts – Jacelyn

1. I difficulty I faced during the program was trying to stay awake. We were up early in the morning. In addition, the packing of lunch wasn’t an easy job.

2. The things we’ve done well is : communicating and supporting one another. Although it was tiring and exhausting, we all managed to hang through it with each other’s support ; checking on each other every now and then during the program.

3. I’ve learnt about myself is that if I want to put in my best effort, I can actually multitask. I can put this skill to my education/studies. I’m also feel really glad that we all have put in our best effort together and really work very well together as a team, supporting and encouraging each other. Last but not least, it is a really rare experience and memorable one for all of us. Not everyone of us will have this chance to see what’s behind the scene inside the factory and witness the amount of effort that is put into the packaging of lunch for the elderly.