Change of View

I was never one who fancied studying abroad or working overseas.

After I finished junior college, while many friends around me applied for overseas universities and overseas scholarships, I was happy and contented to stick with my decision on a local one.

I would not say I would definitely get an overseas scholarship if I applied then, but if I had tried hard enough, there is a chance that I might succeed.

But I did not even make an attempt. Neither did this option cross my mind.

It was partly due to my father, whom I know, did not and would not want his children to go abroad for studies.

I guess most traditional parents share the same sentiments. They are afraid that their children might change, or worse still, decide not to return to Singapore, if they receive an overseas education. They are worried of losing their children this way. It is not because parents do not trust their children, but because they are wary of the foreign environment.

I must say, at 18 then, I was sensible enough to make a choice without hurting my parents.

After I started working, I hear of friends going abroad to work or for training. Although I envy such learning opportunities, I felt no extreme pull factor.

Perhaps I am so used to my comfort zone that I simply did not feel the urge for a big change.

Recently though, I begin to embrace the idea of working abroad for a short while.

There was no particular incident that changed my view, but just that I feel I should try to experience more while I am still young and enthusiastic.

The other day, I met a young man from Philippines on the MRT. He asked me for directions and when to alight. We then started on a conversation. He told me he had come to Singapore alone to work, because he felt there were more opportunities here and he needed money to provide for his family. He said this was the second time he came and the first time he was cheated of part of his salary by a Japanese boss. But that did not make him lose hope, neither did he gave up. He went back home and returned recently to try his luck again.

And he was merely in his early twenties.

How different we are, I thought then.

Perhaps if I have the chance to work overseas, I would truly understand and emphathize with the difficulties of foreigners working in Singapore, and learn to appreciate what I have here.

I wonder if I will have this opportunity before the big 3 falls on me?