Singapore
A tickle in the stomach. Expectations and excitement, curious and motivated I am sitting on the train with Frøydis, teacher and traveling companion for the next two weeks. The train ride seems infinitely long, and I can hardly wait until sitting on the plane. The mood is tense. What can we expect in Singapore?
It is almost unreal when I think of it. I am the only participant from Norway on the Young Reporters Training Camp for the next two weeks. Gausdal Upper Secondary School, as Norway's only Coubertin school, first got this unique offer, and after a selection from several applicants at school, I was picked to join the camp.
Finally, we are sitting on the plane. In contrast to our next flights, this one is very short, Oslo-Copenhagen. The next leg to Bangkok, and the final stretch to Singapore.
In Singapore we are well received by one of the leaders of the Young Reporters Training Camp. We are waiting for three of the other participants. Finally the other arrives the airport. Big smiles and sweet faces meet us when they are coming, and I feel immediately that this is going to be a fabulous camp!
After arrival NaCli, our home for the next 14 days, the body reacts to the 25 hour journey and I fall asleep immediately after my head hits the pillow. Next morning I wake up to a very humid and hot air. The short way down to the dining hall seems long and I quickly throw my sweater off. In the canteen, I meet others of the 25 participants from 21 different countries. Among other countries, Rwanda, Syria, Bhutan and St. Lucia are represented. There are also five local students from Singapore.
After a few days, the atmosphere among the students is very friendly and inclusive. Merry tones is heard from everyone's lips and the smiles are never far away.
Wherever we go, we are met with open arms. Workshops we attend are held on the most important arenas, such as Singapore's TV station, where one of the country's best known news personalities was our teacher. Other locations where a big newspaper house and leading schools in graphic design, film and photography. The mood is light and cheerful. We learn how to act in front of the camera, how to work with sports journalism and how to form a photo essay. Many of the participants have barely touched a computer before, so the level of experience varies a lot.
On the agenda it was not only workshops. On the schedule there is a visit to Sentosa, an enormous amusement park with beautiful nature, a zoo, a night cruise on the river that flows through the city and a guided tour through Singapore's bustling streets. Being in Singapore is like being in a big garden! There are flowers and parks everywhere, unfamiliar smells, lots of people, new places, attractions and friends! The experiences are many and it is difficult to pick out one special to remember in particular.
The day at the local school, Fairfield Methodist School and National Day of Singapore stand out. I have never felt being more welcomed, and interesting to others, than the day at Fairfield. All the students would hear about me and Norway, the weather, food, school, interests, and pictures were taken constantly. Fairfield Methodist School is Gausdal Upper Secondary`s friendship-school in Singapore. I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to visit this school.
National Day, however, was different. We arrived three hours before the show started. The heat was unbearable and the atmosphere became a bit gloomy, but when the dark finally came, a show close to an Olympic Games opening ceremony started. Everyone was seated speechless and enjoyed the show on the stage. When the show came to an end, well-known songs as "Love is in the air" sounded from the loudspeakers. During the camp, all the participants had walked around singing "love is in the air", so when this song was played, the spirit was high among all YRTC-guests. With our red heart lamps we danced on top of chairs and sang loudly. The attention we got was great and the next day we could see ourselves portrayed in the national newspaper.
The last day was coming closer, and the mood in the group developed toward sadness. No one talked about it, but everyone was thinking of the final day. Mail addresses were exchanged and our YRTC-family bonds grew stronger. The night before departure was terrible. Lots of tears and hugs.
This experience has meant a tremendous lot to me, and I am very grateful that I was allowed and able to go! I was a participant at one of four equal camps in Singapore this summer. From these groups there will be chosen five delegates to work as reporters at the Youth Olympics 2010. We all hope to be chosen, but we´ll all be happy for the lucky ones.