Singapore Chapter – Pre-Departure Gathering for Singapore FS2014/15 (Sem 1)

About the Event

Written by PHUA Mei Qi (FS2013-14, National University of Singapore) and CHEONG Hao Ming (FS2012-13, National University of Singapore)

The Fung Scholars Singapore Chapter welcomed the new batch of scholars who are embarking their exchange adventure next year as well as returning scholars who have already went on exchange. This was the first time that the pre-departure gathering was held at NUS.

Jamie KO (FS2009-10, Singapore Management University), one of the founding members of the Singapore Chapter, began the session with an introduction to the William and Victor Fung Foundation as well as the background information of the Li & Fung Group. Following which, she shared about the history of the Singapore Chapter and its beginnings.

Next, Hao Ming CHEONG (FS2012-13, National University of Singapore) gave an overview of the past activities and future plans of the Singapore Chapter. This included sharing about Fung Scholars Leadership Conference 2013, and he encouraged the new and returning Fung Scholars to join the upcoming Fung Scholars Leadership Conference 2014.

After which, Mei Qi PHUA (FS2013-14, National University of Singapore) and Joey KHOO (FS2013-14, National University of Singapore) shared about their exchange experiences in China and UK respectively. Mei Qi had just returned from her exchange at Tsinghua University, Beijing, while Joey is a FS2013-2014 Sem1 returning scholar who had returned from her exchange at University of Manchester, Machester. Besides, they shared exchange and travelling tips to the new Fung scholars.

Finally, a bonding activity was conducted for the scholars to mingle around. This was the first time that such bonding activity was conducted at a pre-departure gathering, as we wanted to promote more interaction and longer lasting relationships among our scholars. Through a game, the scholars had to search for their pen pals by asking around their pen pals’ “2 Truths, 1 Lie”. After which, they had to exchange their postcards among themselves. On the postcards, they had written down their 1) Long-term goals 2) Short-term goals 3) Expectations for exchange/ school/ work and their feelings at this point in time. A reminder will be sent one year later to remind the scholars to mail the postcards to their pen pals. At the end of the bonding actiivty, we had a round of sharing for everyone to share what they had written down.

Before the pre-departure came to a closure, the scholars had lunch together and mingled around. All in all, it was a fruitful event. The Singapore Chapter wishes all the best for those embarking on their exchange experience in the upcoming semesters.