Stepping outside the Centre
By: Stefan Hatch
Most of my weekends this summer were spent on trips to nearby countries or hanging out in the busier, central parts of Singapore. With so many malls and easily accessible attractions, it’s possible to spend weeks in Singapore without leaving the middle part of the city. I realized I was boxing myself in, so one weekend when I decided to see something new – without really knowing what I would see.
My solo adventure started at the Rail Corridor entrance in Bukit Timah – a recommendation from my boss. On a whim, I grabbed an Anywheel bike, and rode north for about 15 km until I hit Kranji, an industrial neighborhood on the northern tip of the island. A strange nostalgia set in as I cycled down the almost empty streets past warehouses and workshops. It had been a while since I had experienced this solitude, and I was flooded with memories of the walks I would take through similar areas back home in California.
As I reached a busier street, I saw workers from the warehouses hanging out on the sidewalk. Small groups congregated around barber chairs and bus stops. There was a pleasant demeanor in everyone I biked past and I could perceive a sense of community here, even if no one actually lived in the neighborhood.
This area wasn’t the Singapore I was used to – elaborate malls and sparkling clean metro stations. Here, abandoned buildings were common, and the sidewalks were less clean, if they existed. At one point, I was forced to cycle along a busy road, where trucks sped by and peppered me with exhaust. The thrill of the novelty brought me across the Kranji Way bridge towards the Kranji Coastal Nature Park. I parked the bike for a bit, walked around, and enjoyed a fantastic sunset.
The next day, I took a long train journey which led me to Punggol, a residential suburb in the Northeast of the island. With my new found love for biking, I pedaled to the Coney Island park, where I saw sand beaches and people playing in the water. I made my way through another relatively empty area towards Pasir Ris, and took a train to the park where I played soccer with my new friends – most of whom are my parents’ age.
These two excursions weren’t the most remarkable thing I’ve done this summer. Throughout my internship, I made six different weekend trips across the continent. From the Temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia to the beautiful mountains surrounding Taipei, Taiwan, I saw many landmarks and crossed off lots of typical bucket list items.
But I chose to write about this weekend because it was just as memorable and enjoyable as any other. If you’re reading this, you might have a list of things you want to see during your abroad experience. I certainly did, and that led me to covering a lot of ground in a continent I had never been in. But my advice is to leave some time aside to get lost. Walk out your front door and see what’s around you. Go to the residential areas and see the parts of the city that most visitors wouldn’t explore. Not only will this help you get a more comprehensive feel for your new home, but you may just find something you love along the way.
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce.