exchange changed my perspective on life

It is not until today that I've really reflect on the lessons and experiences I gained through exchange last year.

After watching a recent video of a guy who went for exchange as well, it made me realized how I miss the experience dearly and how it changed my perspectives on so many things in life.

As quoted from the video:

“Exchange was not just about studying in a country halfway across the world and travelling to cool countries. Exchange made me take a step back and made me realize not to stress too much over the grind.”

In the fast paced lives of many Singaporeans it has always been grinding over school or work. People work their asses off to get the amazing grades the school systems made us do. Getting into universities ain't easy in Singapore which means students have to spend so much time studying. While those who are naturally not in line to go to universities, start their careers early at a much lower pay.

With the rise in standards of living, people have to work harder than ever to survive while some work their asses off to earn a living to live some sort of a luxurious and reputable life. People prefer to get branded goods that are deem "popular" or "expensive" amongst the society. For once, I agree I might have fallen into that trap. Wanting Fjällräven bags, popular sneakers, the muji stationery hype and some other trending items. Though now I realize how brands are nothing if isn't quality and trends are only temporary.

I realize how the materialistic world does not bring eternal happiness and these happiness are only temporary. Well that brings me back to exchange. Exchange was an experience of a lifetime. Instead of just focusing on the grind at that point which was studying, I spent more time getting to know people, cooking and travelling. These experiences have changed me.

I got to spend more time on myself. Reflecting and living independently. My daily routine goes from waking up, showering, making food, watching youtube/ netflix, either go to school or study or do some chores and then eat, watch shows and repeat. Even though on a typical day in Singapore, that might be the case too, but when living in another country the experience is just different.

Especially when I also lived with 3 other people in the same house who aren't family. This was another kind of experience. But I realized how when you live with family, you take some things for granted like having food readily available for dinner, the general spaces in the house being cleaned by my mother and some other stuffs. Because I do enjoy cooking on my own, I find that to be the best part of my days. I love love cooking and trying new recipes or if sticking to the same ones is also fine and I just switched it up a bit with the vegetables or meat to make it different.

pictures of food that I made during exchange

Communal living make me realized that not everyone can be socially responsible (in terms of sharing common spaces). Especially with the experience in the kitchen stove top. Because I tend to always use the kitchen, I realized how some people don't clean after themselves after using the stove top. I find oil or sauces or sometimes a strand of pasta or corn on the stove top. That is just disturbing because I was considerate enough to clean after I used it because it got dirty or so. As for the trash part, in the house we have a system, where the recyclables are categorised accordingly to its material. Then for most part I realized I was the only one that frequently throws these trash away. Was I being too neat and tidy on my side? Maybe?

Once I'm back in Singapore, I realized how despite if you're living with family, there should be a need for social responsibility. Being responsible for the house and not just my parents being responsible for it and doing the chores. Everyone should play their part to throw trash, clean the toilet, cook for themselves and some other stuffs. But because of the way we have lived all our lives, it's just hard to change.

orientation group/ other fellow exchange students

Exchange also made me more open, more extroverted I would say. By default, I tend to stick to my own group of friends and don't mingle much (though people might say otherwise because I have so many different group of friends), an introvert basically. But due to the environment and circumstances of being in a new place, I was forced to be more outgoing and talk to people. At first it might have been a little uncomfortable but afterwards, I felt like it's natural and became more brave talking to strangers. This came very useful when I did my solo travels. I really wanted to do solo travelling once throughout this exchange and I'm glad I did. Though at the beginning I felt a fear, feeling scared of the unknown. But after the first day I was very ok with the surroundings. Also, because I stayed at a hostel, I manage to make friends and that made me felt even better. I felt much braver to explore and love the experience as a whole. Really. That was one of the best trips throughout the whole exchange.

I also learn to be more money conscious (in terms of ensuring I have enough for food and everything), being more grateful, budgeting and really buying things that counts. I learn how to be more cautious with what I buy and when I want something, to really buy it only when I need it. I hope to continue doing this throughout my life and I really need to be more responsible and aware of what I am spending on.

trying to get food at the best deal

Exchange made me look at life differently. From being stuck into a mindset of how life should be in one way, I feel that life should be as freely as you want and you don't have to follow any tradition that has preexisted. I don't care what stigma or stereotype people might relate me to. Now I just feel more confident doing things and more brave to speak my heart out.

Now that it's over, I really miss being there. How it was so easy to travel to another city just by a short flight or by bus or by train. How I felt like I can do whatever I want independently and without worrying about people around me. It's now my dream and mission in my life to live abroad again some time in the future (InsyaAllah). Really thankful for this experience and I was so glad this was fated to happen in my life.