Honestly, Singapore is much different than I expected it to be. In such a high-tech country, I have had a hard time navigating the city. I find myself lost a lot, especially in the huge malls and underground walkways. I have started leaving a bit earlier than I normally would to account for the high probability that I will either get turned around or that transportation delays may occur.
With that being said, I have had little trouble navigating my office at Economist Impact. Since my supervisor has been away for business, I have had meetings every day to get to know the team and the types of projects the organization promotes and focuses on. It has been a bit overwhelming trying to keep up with the terminology and wealth of knowledge that my coworkers use and have. I feel as though I am already learning a lot just by sitting in on meetings and exploring some of the projects and proposals being worked on.
My position is very much research-based, exposing me to various topics both related to my majors and relevant to understanding the workings of the business world. I am excited to start curating information that will be published by such a powerful and prominent magazine! My role is not very defined at this point, but I am enjoying the flexibility to test how I fit into the multiple sectors of the organization!
I am not only trying to find my footing at my internship; I am trying to explore the city in my free time. I often meet up with friends after work to grab dinner at different Hawker Centers. These are my favorite places to eat, as there are so many food options that are delicious and super cheap! I’ve learned that a valued Singaporean pastime is eating and based on the food selection I’ve seen and tried, it makes sense!
My friends and I have been making our way to some iconic Singapore landmarks either after work or on our days off. So far, we’ve seen the Merlion statue, Marina Bay Light Show, and the Gardens by the Bay Light Show. It is nice that most of us get out of work around the same time, making it somewhat easy to plan things set at night, such as the light shows. I am already planning on going back to see the shows again, as they are so cool, and since they are set at night, the temperature is a little more tolerable to be out and about in the city.
We have also had a trip to Sentosa Island. One of my coworkers had actually suggested I go there to get out of the city and relax by the beach! The island itself was very touristy, and the beaches do not compare at all to the ones in Sydney, but it was still nice to be in a more calm setting. The highlight of my trip was riding the cable cars around the island and being able to see some beautiful views!
I am excited to meet my supervisor in person next week and explore more of the city! I plan on doing some more research as well as getting recommendations from coworkers on what I must do during my time in Singapore!