Hi people. I do not really know where to post this question. But I'll just do it here since its the Speaker's Corner. Here is my question. As you know Singapore is made up of various racial groups namely, Chinese, Malays, Indians and Others. Do you think it is necessary or important for a representative to be present in an Overseas Exchange Program. I would say the program is a notable, and we are deemed as an important delegation and would appear in the news sometime soon. Its really a big thing not just like the any other exchange/
So my question is, do you agree that the various racial group should have at least one representative in the team. In our team we have, 13 going + 3 reserves.
Racial Composition of team:
10 Chinese
3 Indians.
The 3 Reserves are made of (less likely going):
2 Malays
1 Chinese
Well, its not about racial discrimination or anything here. But don't you think its necessary to show to the other country that we are not made up of only Chinese and Indians but also Malays else well.
Your opinions please. More information about the exchange would not be given out thank you.
I don't think foreign countries would care.
If they see Singaporean Chinese, they think Singapore is part of China (or japan if they think you look japanese)
If they see Singaporean Indians, they think Singapore is part of India.
In they see Singaporean Malays, they will a bit blur, but might still think Singapore is part of Indonesia or Malaysia
But if they see all at one go, they totally blur liao, and finally categorise us as Asians.
To Poh Ah Pak:
Example, a group of Exchange Students came to Singapore from USA. And you see:
9 Whites
2 Asian.
Where are the Blacks that made up 13% of USA population meanwhile Asian made up only 3%? (while Whites 75%)
You'll prolly think that Blacks only made up of less than the Asians if I havnt shown you the statistics above right?
But is that the truth?
To Eagle:
Isnt that what you want to portray? The Multi Racial Society that we have here? Not just society made of Chinese and Indians?
More opinions please. Please suggest me a better tittle.
I wouldn't even give a damn at all about the exchange students.
Isnt that what you want to portray? The Multi Racial Society that we have here? Not just society made of Chinese and Indians?
Not really. The numbers are grossly insufficient to portray anything to others, because the exchange students from here will be spreaded across too many cities.
More of letting these exchange students see things that they normally would not see if they remained in their home country, which in our case, Singapore.
haiz.. lets say you are the Foreign Minister? or the Principal of the School or something?
Eagle:
I dont get you. Mind re-explainin it in simpler terms?
You mean you do not want to portray our multi-racial society? Isnt that a big part of a cultural exchange?
So is this exchange program for wayang purposes?
If for wayang, then add in a Malay lor.
Not for wayang, then who want to go, go lor.
What wayang are you talking about?
You mean in real life you dont include the Malays?
Only in wayangs and fictions then do you include the Malays that is for the purpose to portray the multi racial society?
So what is the aim of the exchange program?
The exchange is an opportunity for young people to meet, open their hearts to foster better cultural understanding and peeling away layers of ignorance and sterotypes. The country-counterparts are very heart-warming people and it is my wish that this will be the beginning of lifelong friendships for these young people.
Originally posted by boi.moudi:Eagle:
I dont get you. Mind re-explainin it in simpler terms?
You mean you do not want to portray our multi-racial society? Isnt that a big part of a cultural exchange?
The main point is to expose students to the world outside of their comfortable home. We portray any multi-racial things to the exchange students that come visit Singapore, and not really through students who are sent abroad.
Originally posted by eagle:The main point is to expose students to the world outside of their comfortable home. We portray any multi-racial things to the exchange students that come visit Singapore, and not really through students who are sent abroad.
push/pull. it can happen both ways.
If that is the aim, then add in a few malays lor.
Might as well include some arabs and sikhs.
reDUST:
exactly.
Eagle:
Its not like the students from that country are going to come here for a visit or anything.
Like when you have our LKY go to the Dubai? Are the Dubai Prince going to come and visit Singapore after that? Its like for what?
just spit it out ... you didn't get to go for something, right ? ...
Poh Ah Pak:
thats too much. I guess cause they make up only few percent of the population..
Sikhs are adherents to Sikhism not a race.
Originally posted by boi.moudi:reDUST:
exactly.
Eagle:
Its not like the students from that country are going to come here for a visit or anything.
Like when you have our LKY go to the Dubai? Are the Dubai Prince going to come and visit Singapore after that? Its like for what?
As I have already mentioned, the number of students going abroad as exchange are grossly insufficient to create any impact or show much of our society. Usually the impressions are given to foreign exchange students who visit here.
Eagle:
Why not? Won't the total number of 13 be enough? Is it that hard to choose at least one from each race to portray our society?
Lemme reiterate this point:
Like when you have our LKY go to the Dubai? Are the Dubai Prince going to come and visit Singapore after that? Its like for what? We'll just finish off our business in Dubai...
Its gonna be a 2 way exchange.
Originally posted by boi.moudi:Eagle:
Why not? Won't the total number of 13 be enough? Is it that hard to choose at least one from each race to portray our society?
Because when exchange students go overseas, the overseas people are usually not very interested to know about you (other than the coordinators and a very tiny handful of people). To them, you are just another visitor, just another foreign student, from god knows where.
On the other hand, exchange students that come to Singapore are usually those that have interest in Singapore, so they will absorb a lot of what they see here and bring back with them.
Originally posted by boi.moudi:Lemme reiterate this point:
Like when you have our LKY go to the Dubai? Are the Dubai Prince going to come and visit Singapore after that? Its like for what? We'll just finish off our business in Dubai...
Its gonna be a 2 way exchange.
This is different altogether. In this scenario, both parties have specific interests in each other's countries, and would have most likely read up widely on the other party's country before any interaction.
I think just choose those who are interested in learning more about the foreign country.
For me, I am interested in DPRK, so I would enjoy a stay there.
Hopefully I can get to meet the great leader Kim Jong Il.
Well, so you reckon that they do not care and are not interested.
But its that the actual goal/aim of the Exchange Program. And the program is called Exchange. What do you exchange if you just receive something from the counter part only?