I volunteered for MOE ICL programme

I have been spending my block leaves very meaningfully in 2008. I volunteered with Trybe for Ministry of Education (MOE) InterCultural Learning (ICL) programme conducted for a group of foreign students who are from the Philippines, India and Malaysia. They are all really great! At the beginning of the first day, I thought I found nothing much to chat with them about, leaving me a little helpless. But after spending time with my group, I actually found one main thing we all have in common - that we want to enjoy this programme and know more about Singapore through it!

So my group started asking me many questions about the Singapore lifestyle. We also chatted about the differences between their countries and Singapore. I discovered that the students from Indian and the Philippines seem to have more problems in adapting to Singapore because life here is so different from that in their hometowns. The Malaysian students, on the other hand, are adapting quite well cause the Malaysian lifestyle is kind of similar to ours. Though their ages are between 13 and 17, all of them speak and behave very confidently. They reminded me of myself when I was 12 - a small boy who had to start being responsible for my decisions and taking care of myself, alone, away from home.

Together with me with Team 8 was another Trybe volunteer Louis. I really thank him for supporting me and taking good care of the students' safety. He had been constantly communicating with the students, asking how they were doing and if everything in the programme were fine. I am really glad that he was with my group.

I really appreciate my awesome Team 8 who have been doing so great. Consisting of 6 members - Yong En, Yip Siang, Joshua, Steph, Shilp and Dewani, they really are amazing and great people! Regardless of the problems they faced, they always strived hard and never gave up. Everyone of them took a chance to lead the group throughout the programme. They never reject me any task given them; instead they willingly took them on and delegate them equally among themselves. As a result, everyone was involved in helping in and enjoying the process of the activities.

I was really encouraged when Yong En said this to me "When I first came here I was a stranger and had no idea about the environment. I was really afraid and had no friends. But on my second day we met you and Trybe, you brought us around and I got to understand more about Singapore and its culture. At least now I know that I'm not alone here and I know now who I can ask for help if I need it. We are really fortunate students. Thank you!"


Posted on behalf of Thomas who is currently serving his National Service.


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