The First Meeting

The first meeting was a very productive session held between students of Vietnam National University and the National University of Singapore.

A round of introduction was carried out, followed by ice breakers to get to know each other better. This was followed by an introduction of the club, the various objectives, application of committee members, and follow up after departure of Singaporean leaders, Daniel and Shi Lei.

After a round of introduction, a video was shown to present to the students an inlook into Singapore's history of development. Focusing mainly on the transportation system, in particular, the use construction of the Mass Rapid Transport System or MRT. The show was a production from the Discovery Channel.


This was followed up by an indept discussion into the developments of Singapore and China. In particular, was a discussion on the different modes of transportation in Singapore and Vietnam, in Vietnam, that being motocycles or xe may, and in Singapore, cars. Experiences of public transport was also mentioned, such that in Vietnam, it is rather crowded and not as safe as in Singapore, as valuables have been reported stolen in buses quite frequently. Also discussed the use of private transport in Vietnam, such as bicycles and motobikes. Bicycles being the preferred mood of transport among students as it is not as expensive. Singapore, on the other hand, has many cars on the road, this was discussed in question of whether this was a symbol of the developed status of Singapore.
Daniel Foo

Glad to see everyone today!

after the round of introduction, of course we discussed on the purpose of the club and the motivations behind it. Cant believe that they are all so young, mostly 18. I realised I referred them as " the kids" to Daniel when talking about them, course they all look so young and fresh!

show them a documentary fron National Geography, told Daniel it would be good as they can know Singapore through the optics of the development of Singapore transportation system. there were impressed with our MRT system, and they said that Vietnam had been trying to build one too, but have not been very successful. Considering that VIetnam just got its bus system apart a few years back, I think MRT might have to wait for some time.. : (

Most of the students here actually major in Thai studies, if they have meet maybe xin en or Alexandra, it would have been so fun. they can start practising their thai togehter... I am surprised so many of them are acutally in THai studies, thought there used to be like "enemies", maybe really a few centuries back with all the warfares.. haha, must switch my mindset to the present days...

but it is really good knowing them, somehow I feel with them, I wont be lonely in VIetnam. Especially when i will see hem twice a week!

English club here I come! looking forward to all the outings that we will have!

Shi Lei : )