Study Tour to Singapore: Where Fun and Learning Meet!

For most people, Singapore is a shopping and recreational heaven. Yet, not many know that with only half the size of Jakarta, the country is home to over 3,000 of multinational corporations and is listed as the third country with the highest Gross Domestic Product.

After a two-hour flight from Bandung, on May 24, 2016, 66 ITHB high-achieving students and I, lecturers, and officials arrived in Singapore on a campus-funded study tour. The tour changed my prior imagination about Singapore. I went to places where I learned about how Singapore became one of the most influential countries in the world.

At the LTA (Land Transport Authority) gallery, we were informed about the future development of transport, including the well-integrated public transport system. Then, we visited Bugis Street, a shopping center that boasts Singapore’s linguistic and cultural diversity. As we shopped, we had the opportunity to interact with the shopkeepers and practice our communication skill.

On the second day, our trip began by visiting the Chinatown area and URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) Gallery. At the URA Gallery, we learned that the 700-square-kilometer country was developed according to a master plan that was designed through a period of not merely a decade, but tens of years.

Next, we made a campus visit to PSB Academy to learn about their postgraduate program. The most exciting experience was, I think, when we rode the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), the fastest public transport system in the Lion City. Then suddenly I remembered about the transport system at home, hoping that the MRT development in Indonesia would soon be completed with the same quality that the citizens of Singapore have been enjoying for years.

On the third day, we went on a tour to visit unique architectural marvels at Mount Faber and Merlion Park. On that day we also spent a wonderful time at the Universal Studio at the Sentosa Island resort, one of Singapore’s reclamation islands.

Our tour in Singapore was concluded on May 27, 2016, when we visited INSEAD Asia, one of the world’s best business schools. Seeing how INSEAD students live their academic life, I now realize that to be able to compete, we must first conquer ourselves by working hard and killing our indolence.

During our trip, I had a rare opportunity to meet Kak Freddy, an ITHB alumnus now working for a multinational IT company in Singapore. He inspired all of us the first year students of ITHB to keep on studying, working hard, and dreaming high. Disadvantage is not something we have to deny. It is a challenge that you must creatively answer and turn into an advantage. If Kak Freddy can accomplish a success in Singapore, then there is no reason why I cannot. With the Lord on my side, nothing is impossible.

Written by: Gabriella Regina, Student of Information System Class of 2015