Pre-trip reflection

As with many trips, this one is and would be unique.
The location may not be new to me, but the places that we'll go to, the people we're going with, going to meet, down to the last specific detail (even the uncontrollable ones -- ie weather, casualties) is set in such a manner that is hard, if not impossible to replicate.
As such, below are what i hope to gain/learn from this trip.
i) Perspective
ii) Person

Perspective
I would wish to acquire another layer of perspective of this city Shanghai and China as a whole -- indeed it may not be the big picture, but it will be interesting to have my paradigm shifted on such a matter.

If it is possible, I would wish to discover Shanghai more than just what it is on the surface, more than the typical deferential wide-eyed tourists, to capture details that I would have missed on previous family trips there. An anticipated paradigm shift would be one of empathy, that those students in Shanghai are in more than one ways human, and that in reality, despite socio-economic or geographical location,we really aren't that much different from them, and its those differences, molded by a variety of cultural, environmental, or even political differences are what makes us unique as individuals.

Culture, environment and even the government (and bureaucrats and politicians) shape us, and in turn, we the common people (in a democratic nation) shape these factors.

Perhaps, extending beyond strong economic or historical ties, our fundamental humanity (or human condition or human nature) is what binds us together.

Rather hopefully, this will shatter the stereotypical view that typical Singaporeans hold towards mainland Chinese --- snobbish, corrupt, hardworking, loud, impolite and the like.
Indeed, are we not the same as they are? And these 'bad apple' tourists are but a few in a nation that's culturally, resource-wise rich and whose population are at least 233 and a third fold of Singapore's population...
A few bad apples are too small sample sizes for accurate comparison, and going by how diverse China is, the stereotypes are definitely not doing the Chinese justice. Not to forget that China is an economic powerhouse to be reckoned with. There's simply no logical way why we'd give a pass for economic ties with China based on narrow-minded views of Singaporeans.
Also, keeping in mind Singapore's economic ties with China, maybe some of us will have to interact with mainland Chinese sooner or later in the future, and going by how globalized the world is, this encounter will be inevitable.

Keeping in mind that these are just pre-trip reflections, I am certain that there will be certain outliers that strike an impression on me. Perhaps it would be the socio-economic class divide, or something else that would somehow capture my attention and leave some form of impression linked with an abstract idea.
Indeed, there are many places on the itinerary that I have not visited before, despite my extended family staying in Shanghai.

Person
As non-egocentric it'd idealistically could be, there's no way all my learning gained would be from external experiences.
After all, without internal understanding, linking to a more abstract idea or without feeling that the event has any relation at all to one's personal life, we would just move through these experiences as mere passers-by.
Through this trip, I'd really like to take the first 3 days to evaluate several aspects of myself --- my self control in the absence of my parents, my usage of 'downtime' and my spatial awareness.
Instead of just 'living in the moment' and/or acting based on short-term good, it'd be interesting if I could attempt at self-regulation -- to be more aware of myself in public spaces, to constantly watch and evaluate my actions. After all, this time I come not as a child, but as an ambassador bearing the name of the school and the country.
It'd be an interesting evaluation of myself-- whether my impulse control and careful planning trumps my own selfish short-term desires, whether my leadership qualities and mellow-ness show up or my childishness bleaches into my behavior.

Pre-trip reflection

I hope to learn about the history of Shanghai and how it was affected by foreign countries that invaded China under the Qing government's weak ruling. I also want to know why it has not been affected as greatly as Hong Kong and also the reason it became such a bustling city. I hope that on the day where we go to the building behind the oriental pearl tower for sight seeing, we would be able to see the whole of shanghai's city clearly(without haze) and also find out how and why the city is seperated ,rich and poor, by a river. I would like to know what the purpose of that is and what the people on the poor side of the river do(e.g. Do they cross the river every day to get to work, how to get across the river, what's the housing conditions). Lastly I wish to bond closely with my class mates and improve our chemistry.

CID Graded Assignment Annex B

Annex B

Class:  2A     Group:  2

CID 2 The Itinerary

Time/h	Location and Activity	Cost	Information	Rationale	Lessons to be learnt
Day 1 (0800 to 1800): $34.00
	Buy Singapore Tourist Pass (2 days) at Jurong East MRT	$16.00	TransitLink ticket office at Jurong East MRT is open from 12.00 pm to 3.45 pm, 04.45 pm to 7.30 pm daily. Singapore Tourist Pass provides unlimited travel on Singapore's public bus services, MRT and LRT trains for the duration it is valid.	Unlimited travel on Singapore's public bus services, MRT and LRT trains for buddy for 2 days. Public transport is a fast and cheap way to travel. Buddy can have a feel of what it is like to take public transport in Singapore. Singapore Tourist Pass is more convenient as it saves time and money instead of buying tickets from the ticket office.	Nil
0800	Pick up buddy from RVHS Hostel	Free	Nil	Location where buddy is staying.	Nil
0810	Take bus 198 to Jurong Point	Paid using Singapore Tourist Pass	Bus comes once every 4 to 9 minutes. Singapore Bus Service (SBS) Transit owns 75% of the scheduled bus market share in Singapore. SBS has a fleet of more than 3000 buses. It operates close to 260 bus services. 100% of its buses are fully air-conditioned.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how buses work, and cultural manners on the bus. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
0825	Take MRT from Boon Lay MRT station (East-West line) to Stadium MRT station (Circle line)	Paid using Singapore Tourists Pass	MRT comes once every 2 to 3 minutes. Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) Corporation operates 79 stations along the North-South Line, East-West Line and Circle Line of the MRT network. Transfer from East-West line to Circle line at Paya Lebar MRT station.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how MRT work, and cultural manners on the MRT. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
0925	Walk to Singapore Sports Hub from Stadium MRT station	Free	Nil	Singapore Sports Hub is within walking distance from Stadium MRT station. Singapore Sports Hub is the vicinity where National Stadium and Singapore Sports Museum can be found.	Nil
0930	National Stadium	Free	The National Stadium was the former site of the Kallang Stadium, which had witnessed many significant sporting events (SEA Games, finals of 2004 Tiger Cup, finals of the Singapore cup since 1996)  as well as National Day parades (1976 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996 to 1999, 2001 to 2004, and 2006) prior to its closure in 2007. Features of the current National Stadium include configurable spectator tiers, dome and retractable roof and stadium pitch. The direction Singapore’s sports scene seems to be moving to – establishing of Singapore Sports School in 2004 to nurture future athletes, the rather controversial Foreign Sports Talent Scheme, ActiveSG scheme which aims to get Singaporeans more active and engaged in sports.	Relevant to buddy’s interest in sports. Buddy can be introduced to the features of the current National Stadium and the direction Singapore’s sports scene seems to be moving to.	Sports Scene in Singapore
1000	Walk to Singapore Sports Museum from National Stadium	Free	Nil	Singapore Sports Museum is within walking distance from National Stadium.	Nil
1015	Singapore Sports Museum	$5.00	The Singapore Sports Museum is first sports-related museum in Singapore, catering to the public, sports training academics and international sporting organizations. Fully immersive exhibition, an educational experience that transports visitors into a world of sports through exciting, engaging and interactive elements.​ Opens from 10 am to 8 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 9 pm on weekends. The Singapore Sports Museum contains information about Singapore’s past sporting achievements and how the sports scene in Singapore links to the Singapore dream. Information about Singapore’s pioneering sporting clubs, associations, sporting excellence, National Sports Promotion Board (NSPB), steps taken by Singapore to promote sports not just for competition but also for leisure, construction of the first National Stadium as a symbol of Singapore’s intent to create new hopes for the sporting fraternity and also to push athletes to greater heights, various challenges athletes have to face in the pursuit of excellence, controversial issues such as racism and discrimination which is still prevalent in the sporting world today, and the first Singapore Grand Prix which took place in 1966 at the old Thomson Road circuit and official FIFA World Cup match balls since 1970. Achievements of significant athletes of different races like Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundramoorthy for soccer.	Relevant to buddy’s interest in sports and the link to Singapore’s athletes and racial harmony can be made (many significant athletes of other races that have made large achievements in their sport). Buddy can learn about Singapore’s past sporting achievements despite being a small country and how the sports scene in Singapore links to the Singapore Dream.	Sports Scene in Singapore Multi-racial aspect in Singapore
1145	Walk to Stadium MRT station from Singapore Sports Museum	Free	Nil	Stadium MRT station is within walking distance from Singapore Sports Museum.	Nil
1200	Take MRT from Stadium MRT station to Nicholl Highway MRT station (Circle line)	Paid using Singapore Tourist Pass	MRT comes once every 5 to 7 minutes. SMRT Corporation operates 79 stations along the North-South Line, East-West Line and Circle Line of the MRT network.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how MRT work, and cultural manners on the MRT. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
1215	Walk to Rumah Makan Minang from Nicholl Highway MRT station	Free	Nil	Rumah Makan Minang is within walking distance from Nicholl Highway MRT station.	Nil
1240	Rumah Makan Minang	$11.00	Malay dishes like mee goreng, mee rebus, nasi lemak and long tong and the different types of Malay Kueh. Similarities in the ingredients and preparation of food (i.e. between Nyonya Kueh and Malay Kueh). Usage of certain spices in dishes. Significance and impact of certain food, especially on Singapore’s culture.	Lunch Buddy can try the local cuisine which is different from the delicacies in China.	Appreciation of Local cuisine in Singapore
1330	Kampong Glam	Free	Explore the Kampong Glam neighbourhood and the Malay culture and heritage. Introduced to aspects of Malay culture. Kampong Glam’s history, reason for ‘kampongs’. Five pillars of Islam and how it is demonstrated in Arab Street (Sultan Mosque’s plastic bottle domes, non-alcoholic perfumes, etc)	Buddy will be able to gather information for his project about the multi-racial aspect in Singapore. Kampong is the vicinity where Malay Heritage Centre and Haji Lane can be found.	Malay Culture and Heritage Racial Tolerance in Singapore and the Five Pillars of Islam Racial Harmony in Singapore.
1430	Malay Heritage Center	$2.00	Explore the Istana Kampong Glam grounds and the spice garden at the grounds. Introduced to the importance of certain spices in Malay cooking and how it interlinks with Singapore’s early history (Singapore was an entrepot set up by the British in their quest for spices and these spices were later incorporated into the cooking of those who settled down in Singapore, regardless of race)	Buddy will be able to gather information for his project about the multi-racial aspect in Singapore.	Singapore’s early history as an entrepot Importance of spices in Malay cooking Malay Heritage
1545	Haji Lane	Free	Melting pot of culture in Singapore, Haji Lane’s shophouse designs are architecturally different from buildings found in the rest of Singapore, the street art gives it stark contrast to the adjacent Arab Street and Bussorah Street.	Buddy can be guided to admire the street art Links can be made to some of the cultural references made in them. Link can be made about Haji Lane having one foot in both conservation and urbanisation and the constantly evolving culture in Singapore.	Urbanisation vs conservation conflict in Singapore Past cultural significance of Haji Lane (for muslims performing the Haj)
1645	Walk to Bugis MRT station from Haji Lane	Free	Nil	Bugis MRT station is within walking distance from Haji Lane.	Nil
1700	Take MRT from Bugis MRT station to Boon Lay MRT station (East-West line)	Paid using Singapore Tourists Pass	MRT comes once every 5 to 7 minutes. SMRT Corporation operates 79 stations along the North-South Line, East-West Line and Circle Line of the MRT network.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how MRT work, and cultural manners on the MRT. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
1745	Take bus 198 from Jurong Point to RVHS	Paid using Singapore Tourist Pass	Bus comes once every 4 to 9 minutes. SBS Transit owns 75% of the scheduled bus market share in Singapore. SBS has a fleet of more than 3000 buses. It operates close to 260 bus services. 100% of its buses are fully air-conditioned.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how buses work, and cultural manners on the bus. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
1800	Arrive back at RVHS Hostel	Free	Nil	Location where buddy is staying.	Nil
Day 2 (0800 to 1800): $21.00
0800	Pick up buddy from RVHS Hostel	Free	Nil	Location where buddy is staying.	Nil
0810	Take bus 198 to Jurong Point	Paid using Singapore Tourist Pass	Bus comes once every 4 to 9 minutes. SBS Transit owns 75% of the scheduled bus market share in Singapore. SBS has a fleet of more than 3000 buses. It operates close to 260 bus services. 100% of its buses are fully air-conditioned.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how buses work, and cultural manners on the bus. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
0825	Take MRT from Boon Lay MRT station to City Hall MRT station (East-West line)	Paid using Singapore Tourists Pass	MRT comes once every 2 to 3 minutes. SMRT Corporation operates 79 stations along the North-South Line, East-West Line and Circle Line of the MRT network.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how MRT work, and cultural manners on the MRT. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
1000	Walk to Peranakan Museum from City Hall MRT station	Free	Nil	Peranakan Museum is within walking distance from City Hall MRT station.	Nil
1010	Peranakan Museum	$3.00	The Peranakan Museum explores the culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. The Peranakan Museum possesses one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects. Galleries on three floors illustrate the cultural traditions and the distinctive visual arts of the Peranakans. The Peranakan Museum provides a stimulating and educational experience for all, while representing the living culture of the Peranakan community in the region. The museum is a component of the Asian Civilisations Museum, operating under the National Heritage Board.	Buddy can learn more about Peranakans, their history, their unique culture that varies largely on geography, unique food and their unique role in Singapore’s early history. Link can be made to how Peranakans are a perfect example of racial harmony between two largely distinct cultures and the end result that is neither Chinese nor Malay/Indian but retains aspects of both cultures and is influenced by both Western and Oriental. These aspects are most prevalent in their way of life, furniture, architecture style, customs and food, all of which buddy will gain an insight of at the museum.	Peranakans’ History, Culture, Food and Role in Early Singapore History Racial Fusion between Malay/Indian and Chinese Influences on Peranakan Culture.
1215	Walk to Bras Basah MRT station from Peranakan Museum	Free	Nil	Bras Basah MRT station is within walking distance from Peranakan Museum.	Nil
1220	Take MRT from Bras Basah MRT station (Circle line) to Little India MRT station (North-East line)	Paid using Singapore Tourists Pass	MRT comes once every 5 to 7 minutes. SMRT Corporation operates 79 stations along the North-South Line, East-West Line and Circle Line of the MRT network. SBS Transit operates 16 stations along the North-East Line. Transfer from Circle line to North-East line at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how MRT work, and cultural manners on the MRT. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
1230	Walk to Tekka Food Centre station from Little India MRT station	Free	Nil	Tekka Food Centre  is within walking distance from Little India MRT station.	Nil
1235	Tekka Food Center	$8.00	Tekka Food Center is known for where ethnic communities congregate (ie people of all ethnicities enjoying Indian food regardless of race, Chinese stallholders who can speak fluent Tamil), an example of racial harmony in Singapore.	Lunch Buddy can try the local cuisine which is different from the delicacies in China. Buddy will get to experience what a hawker centre looks like in Singapore. Link can be made to how racial harmony in Singapore is most prevalent in food.	Racial Harmony in Singapore Fusion of different cultures through food
1400	Walk to Little India Arcade from Tekka Food Center	Free	Nil	Little India Arcade is just opposite of Tekka Food Center.	Nil
1410	Little India Arcade	$8.00	Indian games, henna and gain an insight on the significance of certain items (mango leaves, peacock feathers, etc) to Indian culture. Compare similarities between the significance of certain flowers to Indian culture and the significance of the same flowers to other flowers. Introduced to certain Indian customs (buying gold jewelry for Indian girls as dowry and heirloom, the thali, etc) and their significance.	Buddy will be able to experience Indian culture firsthand. Link can be made to how certain aspects of their culture seep into Singapore’s unique culture.	Indian culture
1530	Walk to Indian Heritage Museum from Little India Arcade	Free	Nil	Indian Heritage Museum (Campbell Lane) is just at the corner of Little India Arcade (Serangoon Road).	Nil
1540	Indian Heritage Centre	$2.00	Buddy will gain an insight to what kind of roles early Indians played in colonial Singapore and the impact of these roles in maintaining racial harmony in Singapore as well as the roles that Indians have played throughout Singapore history and in the present as well. Link can be made to how Indians have managed to blend into Singapore culture How issues that could have potentially led to racial discord and unrest were resolved in a way that demonstrates racial tolerance (complaints on 2011 Curry Dispute, where a mainland Chinese family complained about the stench of their Indian neighbours cooking curry wafting over to their house that led 40,000 Singapore netizens to create a National Curry Cooking Day, etc)   How Indian culture has blended into Singapore’s culture.		Racial harmony in Singapore How Singapore maintains racial harmony
1650	Walk to Little India MRT station from Indian Heritage Centre	Free	Nil	Little India MRT station is within walking distance from Indian Heritage Centre.	Nil
1700	Take MRT from Little India MRT station (Downtown line) to Boon Lay MRT station (East-West line)	Paid using Singapore Tourists Pass	MRT comes once every 5 to 7 minutes. SMRT Corporation operates 79 stations along the North-South Line, East-West Line and Circle Line of the MRT network. SBS Transit operates 18 stations along the Downtown Line. Transfer from Downtown line to East-West line at Bugis MRT station.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how MRT work, and cultural manners on the MRT. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
1745	Take bus 198 from Jurong Point to RVHS	Paid using Singapore Tourist Pass	Bus comes once every 4 to 9 minutes. SBS Transit owns 75% of the scheduled bus market share in Singapore. SBS has a fleet of more than 3000 buses. It operates close to 260 bus services. 100% of its buses are fully air-conditioned.	Fastest way to get there and cheap as well. Buddy may have a feel of what it is like to take public transport.	Transport system in Singapore – how buses work, and cultural manners on the bus. (giving up seats for elderly etc)
1800	Arrive back at RVHS Hostel	Free	Nil	Location where buddy is staying.	Nil
Total Cost: $55.00