My week in Singapore has been a whirlwind of excitement, adaptation, and new experiences. From arriving at the world-famous airport to settling into my internship, every day brought something new and memorable. Even now, I still can’t believe I am in one of the cities I dreamed of one day visiting when I was younger.
Arrival Day
Arriving in Singapore was a great experience, especially getting to see a glimpse of the renowned Changi Airport. When told we had some free time until we had to leave, my first stop was the incredible indoor waterfall, the Jewel Rain Vortex. It was so breathtaking, and it made me realize just how unique Singapore is. I feel like this was a great sneak peek of how beautiful the rest of the country was. I was also thrilled to reunite with my friends, who had spent their spring breaks in different locations meaning I was without seeing them for a week. It was great to hear about their adventures and share our travel experiences. Unfortunately, this time we weren’t all going to be in the same apartment so our catch up night was short lived as everyone had to go back to their own suites. However, my new roommates seem very nice and I look forward to getting to know them, and who knows maybe my friend group here will grow.
New Sights
The heat in Singapore was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Walking just 15 minutes to the orientation site felt like being under the sun for an hour. The humidity was intense, and I quickly realized that my heat tolerance would be no match for this weather. Rain or shine, the heat is definitely felt so it will take some time to get used to this amount of heat. After orientation, I had the chance to bond with my roommate by joining her for a visit to Marina Bay Sands. We explored two famous exhibits: “Mirror Mirror: Journey Into the Mind” and “Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses.” The first exhibit made me feel like a child again with its interactive displays and immersive chambers. It was fascinating to learn about how the mind constructs its perception of reality, and I left with a sudden awakening as I begin to think of all the ways my perception and identity have been shaped by my experiences. I have no words for the second exhibit. The very detailed designs, crafted from an array of unconventional materials, left me in awe. It was incredible to see how fashion, art, and technology could merge to create such visually stunning pieces. After wards, we decided to stay a bit longer to watch the mesmerizing water and light show at the bay. The synchronization of the music, lights, and water movements really demonstrated the culture of the country as we saw many different national symbols during the water show. .
Internship Week
Starting my internship was exciting and a bit nerve-wracking, but I was relieved to find that everyone at work was incredibly nice. I found out one of my coworkers makes home-made kombucha so I’m currently in the process of figuring out how I can convince her to share her recipe with me. I was also grateful to be working alongside my roommate and friend, which made lunchtime more enjoyable.The first day was relatively light, but I quickly learned that the pace would pick up significantly. By the second day, we had already been assigned four major projects:
Organizing Ingredient Research: Our first task was to compile and organize the company’s backlog of ingredient research into a more comprehensible and structured Excel file.
Bangkok Exhibition Theme: We were also tasked with brainstorming and helping to develop a theme for the company’s upcoming exhibition in Bangkok.
Marketing Collaboration Across Southeast Asia: This project required us to reach out to all the other Caldic offices in the Southeast Asia region to gather information about their in-house marketing plans. The goal was to consolidate everything into a shared file where all offices could view and collaborate on each other’s initiatives.
Recipe Uploading: Our final task involved uploading company recipes onto an online platform accessible to colleagues, suppliers, and customers.
This week went by really fast and I found myself constantly on my feet. There are so many things I want to do so anytime anyone has suggested exploring, I’ve jumped on those plans. Also, while it may seem like a lot of tasks, I’m happy about the hands-on experience and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects. However, despite my excitement the first week, by the end of the week, I was completely drained. I am very eager to establish a better routine, that will allow me to balance work and my travel plans. Despite the fast-paced nature of my internship, I know that with time, I will adapt and make the most of my experience in Singapore.