Reflections of TF Scale day 1^st week

 

The journey to this beautiful city wasn’t easy after a delay of flights and safely landed in Indonesia. The environment and the atmosphere immediately filled our heads with excitement! It was great to be able to see our friends again from In Bound and the emotions of not seeing old friends immediately showed.

 

The following week, we were showed around the city and I learn so much about the history of the city. After having a few conversation with the teachers, they have shared with me that the city of Malang is known as the City of Education as it is known for its many schools, University and its inter-varsity level schools.

The visit to Polinema was one of the most amazing moments of this very journey to me. I was able to enjoy to being able to imagine their daily lives here in Polinema. Their classes are cozy and every of their lecturers are nice and yet humble like Pak Chaya, Pak Yan, Pak Sofyan, Bu Wida, Bu Sofia and Bu Dewi. They were very humble to bring us around and especially our friends from Indonesia and we were able to learn a lot from their system of study.

After that, we went to another Polytechnic where Luthfi and Novan study at, Poltekom. It was a much different school as it resides in a much more rural area in the City of Education. Poltekom looks much more peace and quiet but maybe one of the reason is because the semester has just ended. The teachers and the event they had planned for us are interesting, as being able to see the Luthfi’s and Novan’s final year project was interesting and it encourages me to do more work and work hard in my coding so I can meet them again in TF scales 3.

 

The next day, we head off for a culture immersion in the city of Malang. In this trip, what that affects me the most was actually the big change in currency. I manage to see some old notes from the 1950s such as notes like 10 dollar notes or even 5 dollar notes. I went to ask Mr. Jason, he explained to me that this was the caused by the Asian crisis.

Then, the trip to Mount Bromo really opens up my views about the world’s possibilities and the discoveries of the world’s nature.  I would want to visit the place once again to see the beautiful sunrise not blocked by the clouds. And also, the view at the base of that hill was simply amazing. It was if it was out from a movie scene.

 

The water rafting was amazing! The views of the bats caves and the thrilling water raft rides make me want to try it again! I made friends with the guide and his humbleness allows me to have a great day ahead.

I was able to understand the culture of Indonesia much better with these humble friends and with their willingness and generosity that I am able to have a wider view of the life and the culture of Indonesia which was my personal goal of all my overseas trips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we visited the Wendid Monkey Park! It was bizarre and yet interesting because in Singapore we cannot feed monkeys in the wild but here, the monkeys are on the loose and still and rightly in the enclosure but we can interact with them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we visited the Green Oranges farm or rather the “Greenange'” farm, where the oranges are bizarre and yet delicious at the same time. I love the view from the farm and met some of the locals there and also the owner of the farm.

 

On 22nd of March 2016, we visited the famous Taman Safari of Indonesia. It’s an amazing place where a zoo, theme park and also a safari. Beautiful animals roam within their enclosure and also having seen some great beasts of the wild. The most fun I had in the park was actually the bumper cars because, for me, it has been awhile since I drove them and it was really a great and intense experience!

 

Then we stayed at Selemat Pagi Indonesia where I met our guide and host Evelyn and Fanny. Who showed us around and also who introduce us about the place and what is the purpose of the place. Their performance was simply amazing and also they were students! Imagine how much time and effort they put into during their performances and especially their willingness to perform even in the rain! Much respect and gratitude to the people of Selemat Pagi Indonesia!

 

Finally Project completion and also project presentation!

Honestly, I wished I could have done more for the team and I wish I was more involved with the coding of the project but in this case, I have my part to play as well. I tried to contribute as much as I can in the project and also try to start the presentation of my team and it was a moment that I was slightly nervous about as my insignificant knowledge of the project made me nervous. This is something I will strongly reflect and hopefully, compensate for it.

Then closing ceremony, it was an exciting way to end it off with the amazing performance by PCR, PNM and PKM were simply amazing and party-like events! It was exhilarating and many of us shed tears as it was about to come to an end.

 

 

The next day, we depart for the airport and 6 of the Polinema students came with us to see us off. I was really thankful for their love for us. I can’t bear to say goodbye to such great friends but it was time for us to be apart.

The end is just the beginning.

 

Thank you for everything my friends from Temasek Foundation Scale 2 : Malang, Indonesia and Singapore

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