This article fits the categories of social and educational. It is taken from the special report of the Saturday's newspaper.
Blog Entry 3 (Sunday-- 20th May 2007)
Singapore admits a large number of China scholars each year. It is amazing but the following reasons may justify.
Firstly, leaving China at such a young age is tough. Having to face uncertainties. Like the boys in the article, these scholars leave their families and travel alone. I absolutely disagree with the article stating that they leave their homeland just to be different from their peers.
Secondly, it is a great and courageous decision to choose to study in a junior college in Singapore where medium of instructions virtually is English. A language totally contrast with what they learn in their homeland, Mandarin.
Furthermore, to study in an elite college where academic performance is very demanding. I have several China scholars in my class. The fact that they are very hardworking and determined to master English proves that most of them come here with the sincere intention, couple with compassion, of taking the challenge because of future gains.
Frankly, I am humbled by such a challenge. I would not take such challenge. To me, the Chinese scholars are very farsighted and that impresses me because they are able to see long term benefits and take risks to push themselves to achieve these benefits, which eventually make them stronger and wiser.
There have been projections that soon, China’s robust economy will dominate the global economy. (With wealth, it may become a super military power.) That seems to be proving true as more younger Chinese are taking such challenges. The scholars in the article expressed interest in carving a niche in the western society in future. This is proof of their foresight on need for globalization. Indirectly or directly, they are doing both themselves and their motherland a favour in return.
In the small and self-reliance red dot, Singapore must not only think that the primary purpose of admitting Chinese scholars is to nurture them so that in future, they might help us globalize. We cannot rely on that. Rather, their presence and their own background serves as a reminder and an avenue of reflections for us Singaporean students. We should eradicate the prejudice of their act as being over ambitious or selfish opportunists to become global expansionist or jealous about them overtaking us in future. Singapore market is too small. We must heed the government’s call on globalization.
Personally, I feel guilty because I am honestly not courageous or farsighted enough to emulate these scholars. Are we courageous enough like them venturing out, expecting risks and uncertainties, to pursue excellence? Sadly, I do not think so. We are too pampered!!! Thus, the Chinese scholars’ examples echo an urgent concern here in Singapore. Opportunities and risks are plenty. Do we dare to take such challenges?
(494 words)
Blog Entry 3 (Sunday-- 20th May 2007)
When I first read this article, guilt overwhelmed me. I suddenly realized how we as Singaporeans are overly complacent with our supposedly elite education system and never though of exploring out of the box like the Chinese scholars.
Singapore admits a large number of China scholars each year. It is amazing but the following reasons may justify.
Firstly, leaving China at such a young age is tough. Having to face uncertainties. Like the boys in the article, these scholars leave their families and travel alone. I absolutely disagree with the article stating that they leave their homeland just to be different from their peers.
Secondly, it is a great and courageous decision to choose to study in a junior college in Singapore where medium of instructions virtually is English. A language totally contrast with what they learn in their homeland, Mandarin.
Furthermore, to study in an elite college where academic performance is very demanding. I have several China scholars in my class. The fact that they are very hardworking and determined to master English proves that most of them come here with the sincere intention, couple with compassion, of taking the challenge because of future gains.
Frankly, I am humbled by such a challenge. I would not take such challenge. To me, the Chinese scholars are very farsighted and that impresses me because they are able to see long term benefits and take risks to push themselves to achieve these benefits, which eventually make them stronger and wiser.
There have been projections that soon, China’s robust economy will dominate the global economy. (With wealth, it may become a super military power.) That seems to be proving true as more younger Chinese are taking such challenges. The scholars in the article expressed interest in carving a niche in the western society in future. This is proof of their foresight on need for globalization. Indirectly or directly, they are doing both themselves and their motherland a favour in return.
In the small and self-reliance red dot, Singapore must not only think that the primary purpose of admitting Chinese scholars is to nurture them so that in future, they might help us globalize. We cannot rely on that. Rather, their presence and their own background serves as a reminder and an avenue of reflections for us Singaporean students. We should eradicate the prejudice of their act as being over ambitious or selfish opportunists to become global expansionist or jealous about them overtaking us in future. Singapore market is too small. We must heed the government’s call on globalization.
Personally, I feel guilty because I am honestly not courageous or farsighted enough to emulate these scholars. Are we courageous enough like them venturing out, expecting risks and uncertainties, to pursue excellence? Sadly, I do not think so. We are too pampered!!! Thus, the Chinese scholars’ examples echo an urgent concern here in Singapore. Opportunities and risks are plenty. Do we dare to take such challenges?
(494 words)
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