oelp reflection - valerie

This overseas learning trip to Yangzhou, China has improved my knowledge of China and taught me about the impacts on Singapore. Through this trip, I learnt more about the economy of China, it’s tourism and it’s conservation efforts. I can see that Yangzhou depends a lot on the tourism for its economy. They maintained their old and historical sites such as Tianzifang and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal for tourists to visit. When tourists visits their historical sites, they would spend money for the entrance fee and also spend money purchasing souvenirs, thus Yangzhou would be able to earn more money through their tourism. It also affects Singapore as its rising economy would bring competition to Singapore’s economy.

I have also become more aware of the values and beliefs of people of China after going to several locations, such as the bullet trains and HaiDiLao, and observing the Chinese living in China. On the bullet trains, we can see that the Chinese were considerate people as they kept very quiet throughout the entire ride to make sure that they do not disturb the other passengers on the train. The train even provided paper bags for their passengers to discard their unwanted things into to make sure that the train would be clean for their passengers’ comfort. In HaiDiLao, we could see that they pampered their customers like kings and queens as they believed in good service towards their customers. Their excellent service and special treatment towards their customers was what that lead to their success. Therefore, I have become more aware of the values and beliefs of people of China after going to several locations.

I am proud to be a Singaporean. I am proud to say that I am a Singaporean. Even though Yangzhou was amazing and unique in its own way, I still find Singapore my home, where I belong. For example, Singapore has an educational system totally incomparable from Yangzhou’s educational system. Here, we have our lessons, but we also focus on our co-curriculum activities which built up our values and qualities, whereby in China, their co-curriculum activities is only an extra lesson, they built up their characters though lessons and listening to their teachers. It may seem well for them as they are very obedient during lessons but they do not think for themselves, they only learn from what the teacher is teaching them. On the other hand, in Singapore, we may get rowdy and noisy at times but we consolidate and think through what has been taught, we do not just follow blindly. At the same time, we build up confidence to raise up questions to the teacher and gain social skills discussing with our classmates. Thus, I am proud to be a Singaporean.

The Chinese maintained their old heritage sites such as the Lushi Old Mansion. They maintained the old heritage mansion but at the same time, they refurnished the interior of the mansion into a very classy restaurant. It was an old heritage site, the house of a salt merchant in the past, but instead of tearing it down like we would in Singapore, it was maintained and converted into a restaurant for people to visit and enjoy their meals in the old building. We could learn from China to maintain the old heritage sites but convert it into a tourist attraction or into a restaurant, as was did in the Lushi Old Mansion. While the customers were enjoying the food served, they were also able to enjoy and experience the feeling of eating in the old ancient mansion.

Therefore, after visiting Yangzhou, I have learnt a lot and gained many more experiences which had taught me many lessons in life. I also enjoyed learning through experience like visiting the HaiDiLao restaurant to experience their attitudes and their culture first hand instead of just reading these from textbooks. This trip has taught me important lessons and learning through experience is a lesson I would never forget.