Somewhere I Belong

When people in Delaware ask me why I love Singapore so much, they never understand. "It's such a small country" or "I hear you can't chew gum there or they whip you" or "How could you like any other country besides the States?"

The answer is very simple to me. The answer I have probably won't make sense to most people. But it doesn't matter. All I know is at some point I will live in Singapore again.

I'll tell you my story. Maybe you can figure out why I loved it so much. Maybe somebody will finally understand what that tiny island means to me. Maybe some day, one day, I will take someone with me to Singapore and I will show them what it means to me.

It was midnight when I arrived in Singapore for the first time. As soon as I stepped off the plane I knew it would not be a good summer. It was muggy, humid, and extremely hot. About an hour later, I arrived at my condominium where I was going to live for a year. It was small and compacted, a great contrast from my home back in Delaware. To make matters even worse, none of my belongings had arrived yet. At that time I thought living in Singapore would be the worst experience of my life.

In Singapore, I went to an American school. The curriculum was exactly the same as in the United States, except the school is much more lavish than public schools. There was a Burger King and a Domino’s in the cafeteria for lunch. There were four pools in the school, as well as a stadium for sporting events. My class field trip was to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was by far, the BEST school I have ever gone to, I'd put it right up there with the University of Delaware.

I used Singapore’s excellent transportation system frequently. I could go anywhere in the country for less than three dollars. Quick and easy access to such places as major strip malls, arcades, and movie theaters made me more outgoing. Every weekend, my friends and I would go to each other’s house, play video games, and then go to Taco Bell, our favorite hang out. My weekends in Singapore were much more exciting than my weekends in Delaware because I never had to worry about transportation, and there was always something to do.

The local Singaporeans consisted of three races: the Malay, the Chinese, and the Indians. Singapore gave me the opportunity to learn of all three of these cultures. For the first time, I experienced a true Chinese New Year celebration. This blending of cultures was truly an experience that could not be witnessed anywhere else in the world.

Leaving Singapore was one of the hardest things I had to do. I had to leave behind the new friends I made, the sites I saw, and the country I called home for a whole year. Singapore was much more than a “vacation.” It was about growth, understanding, and appreciation. It made me the individual that I am today.