disclaiming
To all who know my plans, its 80% confirmed now.
For the better of everyone's understanding, and those who haven't been able to read my private entries.... because arguing only makes me illogical and spiteful at its worst.
So, FAQs:
1) "You are wasting one whole year"
The only reason I complete my degree in 3 years is cos of adequate planning and execution. Many NUS students take an additional sem or 2 to complete the same degree. If you want to be talking about time, it wouldn't be taking a year off for an additional learning experience, to explore what I want to do in my field, if at all. Otherwise you might as well say I've wasted 3 years cos I might as well have gone to SIM and not have to study so hard to get a piece of paper and worry how relevant my degree is going to be. Its not even like I'm taking a gap year to do nothing. I have my whole life ahead of me to work everywhere else.
2) "You can do the same thing in Singapore"
You all know how living abroad is something I REALLY want to do, I was thinking of WAT round 2 before I found this opportunity. And I would have wasted half a year on something completely pointless anyway. So what's wrong with doing my career exploration while at it? I am so excited about living one full year in a seasonal environment, watching summer fade to fall, snow in winter, and seeing how spring blooms. Like a dream. SO NO I CAN'T DO THE SAME IN SINGAPORE. If I hate it then I'll tell you again then, at least I'd have known for myself.
3) "You can already get an actual job not an internship. Why internship NOW?"
This is a graduate level internship so you don't qualify UNTIL you get a degree, so I'm not stooping to any lower level, instead I'm going as high as I can go, higher than I probably can in SG where results/honors matter too much. They've hired 11 interns, the other 9 are local Americans grads who really would not go for something to be "made used of". This is not some rubbish job to make use of you. We've come to a conclusion that you cannot call it "cheap foreign labour" if the locals are doing it as well. And at best you can work on this point for work and travel, but even so no one I've known who've gone would recognise that claim.
4) "You have to pay so much money, and the pay is so lousy"
So would I for work and travel, and this isn't even substantially more. NUS also has overseas internships, double the price for a quarter of the amount of time, and NO PAY AT ALL. Comparatively the benefits at this place is very good- free lodging (own room, 2 persons to an apartment), free meals, employee benefits and insurance all covered. Everyone needs to get their facts right about internships before they speak. Yes of course I do feel the pain of paying, but this is my goal from scrimping so hard, if its the only way then so be it. I'm willing and the money is all mine. I'm not interested in earning more in my first year so I can afford more trips to malaysia, thailand, or bali.
NEED ANYMORE JUSTIFICATION?
I've wasted a lot of time and effort and heart explaining this, to my family especially. All I can say is I'm set on my decision, and I do feel positive about it. So really, To all who try to discourage me, save your words cos really I know better what I want to do with my life. Just stop making me feel like a letdown if you still cannot understand. Of course I'm scared the part about being one year away so far from home, so what I can really do with is moral support. I wish everyone could just be happy for and proud of me. But most of all please, I don't want to fight anymore.
For the better of everyone's understanding, and those who haven't been able to read my private entries.... because arguing only makes me illogical and spiteful at its worst.
So, FAQs:
1) "You are wasting one whole year"
The only reason I complete my degree in 3 years is cos of adequate planning and execution. Many NUS students take an additional sem or 2 to complete the same degree. If you want to be talking about time, it wouldn't be taking a year off for an additional learning experience, to explore what I want to do in my field, if at all. Otherwise you might as well say I've wasted 3 years cos I might as well have gone to SIM and not have to study so hard to get a piece of paper and worry how relevant my degree is going to be. Its not even like I'm taking a gap year to do nothing. I have my whole life ahead of me to work everywhere else.
2) "You can do the same thing in Singapore"
You all know how living abroad is something I REALLY want to do, I was thinking of WAT round 2 before I found this opportunity. And I would have wasted half a year on something completely pointless anyway. So what's wrong with doing my career exploration while at it? I am so excited about living one full year in a seasonal environment, watching summer fade to fall, snow in winter, and seeing how spring blooms. Like a dream. SO NO I CAN'T DO THE SAME IN SINGAPORE. If I hate it then I'll tell you again then, at least I'd have known for myself.
3) "You can already get an actual job not an internship. Why internship NOW?"
This is a graduate level internship so you don't qualify UNTIL you get a degree, so I'm not stooping to any lower level, instead I'm going as high as I can go, higher than I probably can in SG where results/honors matter too much. They've hired 11 interns, the other 9 are local Americans grads who really would not go for something to be "made used of". This is not some rubbish job to make use of you. We've come to a conclusion that you cannot call it "cheap foreign labour" if the locals are doing it as well. And at best you can work on this point for work and travel, but even so no one I've known who've gone would recognise that claim.
4) "You have to pay so much money, and the pay is so lousy"
So would I for work and travel, and this isn't even substantially more. NUS also has overseas internships, double the price for a quarter of the amount of time, and NO PAY AT ALL. Comparatively the benefits at this place is very good- free lodging (own room, 2 persons to an apartment), free meals, employee benefits and insurance all covered. Everyone needs to get their facts right about internships before they speak. Yes of course I do feel the pain of paying, but this is my goal from scrimping so hard, if its the only way then so be it. I'm willing and the money is all mine. I'm not interested in earning more in my first year so I can afford more trips to malaysia, thailand, or bali.
NEED ANYMORE JUSTIFICATION?
I've wasted a lot of time and effort and heart explaining this, to my family especially. All I can say is I'm set on my decision, and I do feel positive about it. So really, To all who try to discourage me, save your words cos really I know better what I want to do with my life. Just stop making me feel like a letdown if you still cannot understand. Of course I'm scared the part about being one year away so far from home, so what I can really do with is moral support. I wish everyone could just be happy for and proud of me. But most of all please, I don't want to fight anymore.