By: Amanda Qu A flower display at Gardens at the Bay As I reflect on my time in Singapore, I realized how important being surrounded by people who looked like me was to my personal development. I grew up in a white suburban neighborhood where I could count the number of Asian people I knew…
By: Natalia Klosowska During my internship in Singapore, I made a conscious effort to immerse myself in the local culture, which greatly enhanced my overall experience. One of the first things I did was dive into the city’s renowned food scene. Singapore is famous for its hawker centers, where a dizzying array of dishes from…
By: Xiyuan Lin My fellow GRIP intern, Donna, and I visited Starfish Bay, a beach near my apartment. We didn’t see any starfish—only small crabs. “Nei hou…(Hi)?” I gave an awkward smile in front of Milksha, a boba shop near The OPEN Classroom, “WeChat Pay da mu da(Is WeChat Pay ok)?” It was lunch break…
By: Xiyuan Lin “Help me!” “I lost my cane!” “Miss Dora, I’m scared!” A cacophony of screams echoed in the dark. It was my class field trip to the Dialogue in the Dark exhibit, an immersive tour in which we got to experience complete darkness while being led by a blind tour guide. Along with…
By: Ricardo Yamin Dinner with dorm receptionist and fellow GRIP student Alex Chinea Reflecting on my experience as an intern at the Kopke Port house in Porto, Portugal, I’m struck by how integral my colleagues have been in shaping this unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me into a professional, friendly, and…
By: William Pallan Bom Jesus de Monte During my time in Portugal, visiting the town of Braga was a highlight of my cultural exploration. The town’s rich history, stunning architecture, and the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary provided a deep connection to Portugal’s cultural heritage. This trip expanded my understanding of the country beyond just…
By: Donna Jalosjos I have been a student for as long as I can remember. Before doing this internship, I had some past experience working with high school students in tutoring, but I had never worked as a teacher with students from the ages of 3-10. When I first started at my internship, I was…
By: Riya Nandakumar One of my favorite views in Vietnam of the boats in Hoi An! It’s obvious to anyone that I don’t exactly look like a “local.” Over the past weeks, I’ve grown accustomed to walking down the street and getting a few stares or curious glances. Occasionally, cute kids or surprised adults will…
By: Ruth Oyerokun Waiheke Island Now that I have spent two weeks in New Zealand, I feel more confident in this new environment and grateful for memories that have made my time here meaningful. I want to share with you the people and places that I appreciate most. First, my host mom, Deborah, has…
By: Helena Saven Picture of Helena with the tūī mural described in Queenstown Having now spent two months living in Aotearoa New Zealand, I have fallen in love with so much of the local fauna, especially the native bird populations. I’m someone who has always felt a connection to wildlife and an appreciation for seeing…