Stanford Trip Writeup

It is a rare school indeed that combines academic excellence with an informal, friendly environment that gives students the breathing room they need. Stanford University, which I had the pleasure of visiting, is such a place.

While I must admit I was somewhat overawed by the institution when I first arrived, the amiable disposition and helpful nature of my host went a long way into putting me at ease. I was deeply impressed by the sense of history and tradition pervading the school- its old buildings give it an air of dignity sadly bereft in the more modern, futuristic structures of Singapore.

More importantly, I feel that Stanford has managed to keep a healthy pride about its past without being mired in it. Unlike other institutions, Stanford is still running on new ideas and not living off the memories of old ones. This was particularly interesting to me, as it revealed how both the past and the present could meld to produce something more than the sum of their parts. Too often in Singapore, we are too focused on the new at the expense of the old, and it is refreshing to find an institution that, like me, desire the novelty of the new, but not through sacrificing the nostalgia of the old.

Campus life proved a lot less stressful than I had imagined- a welcome relief from the famous “pressure-cooker” system of Singapore. I especially appreciated the multi-disciplinary approach favoured by Stanford, which is a far cry from Singapore’s policy of streaming students according to their talents. While the local system is effective in producing capable workers for our economy, I must admit to feeling slightly lost without the humanizing touch of literature after a year in the science stream of my junior college. Thus, I was heartened to find a place that could provide food for both the mind and the soul, in the same course.

Of course, the friendly college students went a long way towards making me feel at home. I feel especially indebted towards the Singaporeans @ Stanford club, who went out of their way to make my stay an enjoyable one. The casual atmosphere contrasted sharply with the more strict environment in local hostels. While I admired the order present in Singaporean schools, I reveled in the chaos of hostel living at Stanford. The “open-door” policy (to misuse a phrase) of hostelites encouraged mingling and interaction, and indeed, students often dropped in on my roommates to exchange friendly banter. While much of the college jargon sailed over my head, it was not difficult to note the warmth behind these discussions. It is perhaps no coincidence that room doors tend to swing open unless firmly shut.

The sizable Chinese community both within and around Stanford came as a surprise to me. The school’s proximity to Silicon Valley has meant that it attracts a great deal of Chinese and Indian nationals pursuing IT courses. It came as a pleasant surprise to hear Chinese students with their rapid fire chatter, and made me realize just how much I had missed home.

The trip was an unforgettable week of exploration- both of myself and of my surroundings. I left with a much better understanding of college life in America than I had before. More importantly, I think I have become more sure of myself and less tentative than before. One week of being essentially independent taught me that, and I treasure this lesson all the more because it is one few my age have. But most important of all, I feel that my trip was a major factor in helping me decide my future course of study. The experiences gleaned from this visit have made my goals less nebulous and more defined. I am deeply and sincerely grateful for this rare opportunity.