UF in Singapore

In the summer of 2022, I participated in a study abroad program that took on a journey of living and interning in Singapore for two months. Smaller than Rhode Island, Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia that prides itself on its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Through this UF program, I lived in a hotel in the heart of the city, only a short walk away from the famous Marina Bay Sands and Supertree Grove. Experiencing the culture gave me a new perspective on my priorities in life and empowered me to take on new challenges that may seem intimidating or unusual.

Interning

Part of the study abroad program I embarked on included completing an internship. For this process, I was placed with Insect Feed Technologies, a startup company that breeds black soldier fly larvae (the worms in the picture above) to be used as an alternative protein in poultry feed. One of the projects that I was working on during the internship involved exploring market opportunities for larvae oil, one of the byproducts made from harvesting the larvae. The other project was to design a system to breed fly larvae that could fit inside a shipping container and work with local vendors to source equipment that could work with the process. Balancing these two projects taught me the importance of time management, teamwork, creativity, and communication to finding the optimal solution for every goal.

Living

Being immersed in another country for two months allowed me to appreciate the nuances of another culture. As a city-state, Singapore is strongly influenced by nearby countries, which is reflected in the history and ideals of the nation. Living in such a diverse environment was eye-opening because it showed me the value that a variety of opinions can have. It reinforced the idea that having an open-mind is key not only in team environments, but also in life, because it opens the door for personal growth and allows me to consider all options before choosing the best one. Additionally, living in Singapore helped in being able to interact with new people in unfamiliar environments.

Exploring

When not working, I used my free time to explore where I was living. From visiting hawker stalls to a trip to Malaysia, I was able to see a wide variety of attractions in just two months. This litany of experiences taught me a lot about the history and way of life in Southeast Asia, which has in turn enhanced my creativity by exposing me to a new way of thinking. For example, Singapore focuses heavily on financially supporting and encouraging startup companies as a way to foster innovation within their nation. This has allowed such a small country to become one of the wealthiest in the world, and sets the example of allowing new ideas to grow to nurture progress.