9/11: Twenty Years Later
Resources for Marking the Anniversary
August-September 2021
The Future of Travel
What Might the Post-Pandemic Travel World Look Like?
Charming Changi
The History of Singapore’s Commercial Airports
The New World of Independent Consultants Platforms, Coworking, and Support Are At Your Fingertips
SHAPING NEXT NOW At XCL World Academy we believe that the best way to prepare for change, is to change the way we learn. We believe a good education should prepare students to shape tomorrow and not merely live in it. It should teach them to see infinite possibilities in a world of change, embrace technology and innovate with change instead of fearing it. It should prepare them to be the citizens, contributors and leaders for a better world.
XCL World Academy prepares students to be the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we’re shaping next now.
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www.xwa.edu.sg (65) 6808 7300 admissions@xwa.edu.sg CPE registration number: 200803726H, 19 March 2021 to 18 March 2025 Formerly known as GEMS World Academy (Singapore)
Shaping leaders from 2 to 18 years old
The American Association of Singapore has been here for more than 100 years and our history is long and colorful. Today? Things have changed and so have we. We see ourselves as a start up with a 104-year-old history. Come see how we’ve reimagined AAS while honoring our rich past, taking AAS into the next century. Our goal is to bring community together in an exciting and engaging way. Come be a part of the fun! All nationalities are welcome!
100 The first bers m e m w ne $10 a e v i e c e will r able m e e d e r voucher Mall! n i l g n a T at
Join AAS b etween August 1 Septembe r 30, 2021 and be en , tered in a d r a wing to win a st aycation a t the Sofitel Sin gapore Se ntosa Resort & S pa Hotel or a brunc h voucher at SO/ Singap ore!
Already a member? Refer a friend and be entered in a drawing to win a $100 voucher to Lawry’s The Prime Rib.
www.aasingapore.com The Heart of American Culture in Singapore
who we are Welcome back! It’s been quite the year, hasn’t it? After a bit of a hiatus, fueled in no small part by the virus-thatshall-not-be-named, the American Association of Singapore is back and better than ever. We have a small but mighty team bringing you fun events - both virtual, and (when we are allowed) in person. CRCE is offering great career advice and personal development workshops to navigate through these challenging times. We provide tips on mental health and amazing offerings to get you through quarantine. In a recent survey of our members, many of you said that you joined AAS to be more social and meet other Americans. We have made it our goal to provide fun programming for everyone, so please join us. If you have an idea for an event, please let us know! We have just released Living in Singapore 15th Edition Reference Guide, which we encourage you to check out whether you are new to the island or have been here a decade. It provides a wealth of information in one handy place. Most of the team at AAS may be new, but we are not new to Singapore. Between our new General Manager, Melinda Murphy; new Events Manager, Christina Thorsen; new Membership Manager, Nilam Mehta; new CRCE Manager, Andrea Brankin; and myself, your new Editor-in-Chief, we bring combined decades of experience within the Little Red Dot. Our Advertising Manager, Thila Chandra, rounds out our formidable team with her years of experience with AAS and her incredible ability to secure amazing member benefits for you. We are committed to bringing you the latest in what’s happening on the island, and to keeping you connected and engaged with your Association and one another.
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Susan Williams communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Melinda Murphy generalmanager@aasingapore.com LAYOUT Graphic Designer: Susan Williams graphics@aasingapore.com ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Thila Chandra advertising@aasingapore.com COLUMNISTS Asif R. Chowdhury, John Sarkis Hamalian, Richard L. Hartung, Agi Heale, Marc Servos CONTRIBUTORS Kyle Aldous, Vir Coelho, Blair Hall, Dr. Dex Khor, Melinda Murphy, Emma Sanvicente AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Blair Hall Vice President: Michael Johnson Treasurer: Ashok Lalwani Secretary: Michael Murphy Directors-at-Large: Brooke Balfrey, Lindsay Fipp, Dana Hvide Immediate Past President: Stephanie Nash AmCham: Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei The American Club: Neetu Mirchandani AWA: Linda Schindler SACAC: Jeff Majestic SAS: Kyle Aldous Non-Voting Members US Embassy: Brian Himmelsteib US Navy COMLOG WESTPAC: Rear Admiral Philip Sobeck AAS: Melinda Murphy PUBLISHER – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION The American Association of Singapore (AAS) is a professional, notfor-profit organization established to enhance the well-being and living experience of Americans residing in Singapore and to promote relationships, both business and social, between Americans and those from different cultures and nationalities. 56A Boat Quay, Singapore 049845 • (+65) 8030 6183 admin@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com Living In Singapore magazine will be released six times per year, with the purpose of enhancing the expatriate experience in Singapore.
SUBSCRIPTION
A subscription to Living in Singapore is complementary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS annual family membership is $120. CRCE membership is $220.
Editor-in-Chief Susan Williams
4 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have Living in Singapore magazine delivered to your inbox. Reproduction in any manner, in English or any other language, is prohibited without written permission. Living in Singapore welcomes all contributions of volunteer time or written material.
what’s in... 10 Community News 22 The Future of Travel
What will post-pandemic travel look like?
34 Five Tips for Managing Anxiety Right Now
Learn useful techniques to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
22
39 Charming Changi: The History of Singapore’s Commercial Airports We all know and love Changi, but how much do we know about the airports that came before?
44 The New World of Independent Consultants It’s easier than ever to be a consultant.
46 Cultural Awareness: Five Phases of Team Building
These steps will help you effectively work with a diverse team.
34
39 44
46
cover photo by Nick Dunn on Unsplash
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 5
message from the president By Blair Hall “Welcome Back and Welcome!” That’s our traditional Fall greeting to members just returned from summer holidays and to new friends who recently arrived in Singapore. While AAS’ welcoming greeting remains genuine, unfortunately it is just not as apt for the circumstances of today. Many members decided not to travel this summer and those who did, along with newcomers eager to get started here, remain in a travel limbo of canceled flights and unapproved entry applications. So let me say to all our members and friends in Singapore or waiting to get into Singapore: we sure are going to be glad to connect with you! We were thrilled that several hundred members joined our spirited virtual Independence Day celebration for the second year running. But everyone will welcome the return next year of the real thing - our star-spangled, allAmerican fireworks Fourth of July party! Let’s hope this awful public health threat rapidly recedes and the distancing restrictions soon ease so we can join together again. In the meantime, AAS is here for you. Check out the sanity-preserving virtual events we’ve been hosting all summer for the whole family, from kids’ “Hump Day” activities every Wednesday to free yoga and exercise classes from UFIT. We have a great series of lectures and programs coming up on wellness, mindfulness and resilience, as well as online master classes on career development, LinkedIn and online networking. If stuck in quarantine, members can use our webpage to connect with resources to hire a Playstation, rent an exercise bike, or order whatever else they need delivered right to your SHN hotel room. We’re happy to supply a “quarantine cure” kit too. We’re very proud of the award-winning Living In Singapore guidebook, just published in its 15th edition. The all-new edition is completely up to date and full of the information on shopping, schools, restaurants and experiences that both newcomers and old hands need to navigate a much-altered, post-Covid Singapore. AAS is continuing to promote heritage bike and walking tours, outdoors activities, volunteer opportunities, and food experiences to the extent permitted by the safe distancing measures. A lot more will be available as soon as regulations permit. Please find us at www.aasingapore.com or on our Facebook or Instagram pages to see what’s coming up. So, welcome back and welcome – and we really look forward to seeing you soon!
American Community Organizations Directory AAS aasingapore.com
AWA awasingapore.org
SAS sas.edu.sg
The American Club amclub.org.sg
AmCham amcham.com.sg
Navy League nlus-sgp.org
SAIS sais.edu.sg
US Embassy sg.usembassy.gov
American Dragons americandragons.sg
SACAC Sports safl.sacac.com
Scouts BSA Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org BSA Troop 10: www.sgtroop10.org BSA Troop 1010: sgtroop1010@gmail.com
6 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Cub Scouts Pack 3010: www.sgpack3010.org Cub Scouts Pack 3017: cubscoutsusa.com.sg USA Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org
member benefits Estheclinic 10% discount for all their treatments. Valid through 12/30/21. Tel: 6221 4797. T&C apply. The Fullerton Bay Hotel Daily breakfast, S$100 dining credit, and room upgrade. Valid through 12/28/21. Tel: +65 6222 8088. Email: Sharon.Ng@fullertonhotels.com. T&C apply. See website for food and beverage offers. The Fullerton Hotel Daily breakfast, S$100 dining credit, and room upgrade. Valid through 12/28/21. Tel: 6533 8333. Email: Sharon.Ng@fullertonhotels.com. T&C apply. See website for food and beverage offers. Hard Rock Cafe 15% discount on food and beverage upon showing your AAS membership card. Valid through 12/30/21. Tel: 6235 5232 (Singapore). Tel: 6795 7454 (Sentosa). T&C apply. Hedgers Carpet Free high-quality underlayment with every purchase at our store (while stocks last). Valid through 12/30/21. Tel: 6462 0028. T&C apply. Lawry’s The Prime Rib 15% discount for à la carte food bill for dine-in only. Tel: 6836 3333. 2021 Blackout Dates: Jun 19 & 20; F1 Grand Prix Weekend; Nov 25; Dec 21-31. T&C apply. Mr. Jeff Use code AAS20. Free pick up & delivery for Buona Vista/Pasir Panjang area. Valid through 12/30/21. Please WhatsApp to +65 9050 6067 for more deals & subscription plans. T&C apply. Marriott AAS members enjoy a 25% discount on F&B. Show a screenshot of your membership. Tel: 6735 5800. T&C apply.
Morton’s The Steakhouse Complimentary cocktail or mocktail (one per diner) and one complimentary dessert per table. Main dining room only. Valid through 12/30/21. Tel: 6339 3740. T&C apply. Omakase Burger Free side upgrade on any Omakase Burger set meals. 5% discount on total bill for dine-in only at the Orchard Central outlet. Valid through 12/30/21. Tel: 6734 8352 / WhatsApp: 9779 9045. T&C apply. QB Food For home delivery, use code ‘Newbie’. The code is for singleuse and new members to QB Food. Good only with minimum spend of $150. Valid through 12/30/21. T&C apply. The Shanti Residence AAS Members get 15% off room bookings directly. Quote AASSHANTI. Tel: 6338 2069. T&C apply. Solescape AAS members enjoy 15% discount on their purchase of a pair of shoes. Valid through 12/31/21. Tel: 6464 8654. T&C apply. The American Club AAS members may order dinner from The American Club. Click image for menu and T&C. Email: tac2go@amclub.org.sg. T&C apply. UFIT Five PT sessions for $500; Three Bootcamps for $30; Recovery Services Bundle: 10% off packages. See website for more details. T&C apply.
Scan here for our full member benefits page.
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 7
American Association Sister Organizations Click Through to Find Out What’s Planned at AAS and at Our Sister Orgs American Association of Singapore AmCham
American Women’s Association
The American Club
Navy League
US Embassy
upcoming events Career Storytelling Trying to figure out how to explain your career? Or maybe you want to redefine yourself? Join this lunchtime session and learn to tell your career story and land the job of your dreams. Aug 12, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Whiskey Tasting and Class Before you fork over the big bucks for a full bottle, why not learn what you like. Four different whiskeys will be delivered straight to your door for this fun and informative tasting session. Aug 17, 7:00 PM
How to Be a LinkedIn Rockstar Become a LinkedIn Rock Star with Chris J. Reed, “The Only CEO With A Mohawk.” Basically? Chris can teach you how to achieve anything you wish using LinkedIn Business. Aug 24, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Up Your Networking Game Join international networking expert Nyna Caputi for this informative session on how to take your networking game up a notch, including ways to market yourself online. Aug 17, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Cooking Class: Dumplings Join us for this special online cooking class to learn how to make your very own Pan Fried and Steamed Dumplings, plus Wonton Noodle Soup. Aug 22, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Get to Know Us Join AAS and our sister organizations for informative, topic-driven sessions to learn more about what we do and how you can get involved. Sep 22, 7:00 PM
AAS Strategic Partners We would like to extend our thanks to our strategic partners at the Association for their continued support and contribution.
Centennial Partners
Community Partners
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Remembering 9/11 On this twentieth anniversary of September 11, the American Association of Singapore honors those who were killed in New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, PA; and the countless first responders whose lives were forever changed through their selflessness. At Ground Zero, the traditional reading of names of each victim will resume this year at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, carried out by family members of the 2,983 people killed on 9/11. And there will be four moments of silence — one when each of the World Trade Center towers were struck and fell; one to mark when the Pentagon was hit; and one to mark when Flight 93 crashed. The National Geographic documentary, “9/11: One Day in America” will honor the 20th anniversary by featuring interviews with first responders and survivors recounting the day. This docu-series will air over six consecutive nights beginning on Sunday, August 29. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum offers a host of resources, content and strategies for learning about the attacks and their aftermath. There are lesson plans for teachers and students; tips on discussing terrorism with children; virtual tours and talks; and even activities you can do at home to mark the day. We invite you to share your memories and tributes on our website.
Resources to Learn More About 9/11 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The 9/11 Commission Report
Talking to Children
Interactive Timelines
NatGeo Documentary Trailer
Share Your 9/11 Memories LIVING IN SINGAPORE 9
Nailed It!
Recent AAS Events
T Splat Paint House
Bike and Bites Tour 10 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
It’s my honor to be the current General Manager of the American Association of Singapore (AAS). I took on the role in April and what a whirlwind it’s been. We have a new website, a new team and a new outlook.
are just neat things we dug up that we think you’d like. For example, the Secret Singapore series aims to introduce you to parts of Singapore you might not The team and the Executive Committee here at know about, whether you’re AAS kind of looks at the Association as a starta newbie or a long-timer. up with 104-year-old history. While we have a storied and long history that we truly value, we CRCE recognizes how the new LOC rules has also recognize in order to thrive, we need to affected expats, trailing spouses in particular. embrace current times. With COVID, that’s a bit So we’re offering new workshops aimed at tricky, but we’re on it. helping you reinvent yourself, embracing online work or reimagining existing skills. As the COVID So what does this new AAS look like? Well, in rules begin to loosen, we will again return to truth, we’re still figuring it out. We really want to networking and other engaging activities you hear from our members about what you want. can’t find anywhere else. Please take advantage More programming for kids? We’re on it. More of our talented executive coaches who help weekend activities? Sure, let’s give it a try. More expats figure out new directions. personal development courses? You got it. What else floats your boat? Please let us know. We’ve also brought on some fantastic partners who rock at helping us develop interesting For now, we’ve been offering a hybrid of events, offerings you can’t find anywhere else. Stay some virtual and some in-person. Like you, we tuned! Our advertisers, too, are giving us some pretty awesome membership benefit deals such as price breaks on UFIT offerings and stays at The Fullerton Hotel. These are not your average membership deals, folks!
The New AAS!
In short? AAS is back stronger than long for the days when we can welcome 5,000 ever. It’s a great time to be a member, but like people to the campus of the Singapore American anything, you only get as much out of it as you School for the Fourth of July, but the virtual put into it. So please, take advantage of your celebration was a pretty great bash. Our Hump membership and join us for activities. Give us Day Help summer activities for kids were a big feedback. Be active. Our goal is to bring you what hit, helping frazzled parents who were juggling you want and need. working from home with kids off of school. The Don’t have anybody to attend events with? No Conqueror Virtual Challenge Team each got fancy worries. We’re a friendly bunch. Sign up and we’ll medals when we completed the 3,669 km of take you under our wing when you arrive. Route 66. Teachers from Singapore American School loved the Bike and Bites tour of Katong. And Most importantly, I want to thank you for sticking the Quarantine Cure Kits we spearheaded with with us through these challenging COVID times. our sister orgs made newcomers stuck in hotels We are looking forward to an amazing future feel very welcome. And that’s just a smattering together. Here’s to the next 104 years of AAS! of what we offered during the school holidays. Reach out to me anytime. I’d love to hear what We already have some cool things on our you have to say. upcoming calendar. Some of these offerings are generalmanager@aasingapore.com things you can only do with AAS while others – Melinda Murphy LIVING IN SINGAPORE 11
FOURTH OF JULY
celebration
For a second year, AAS teamed up with The American Club to celebrate the Fourth of July with a fabulous virtual event, sponsored by Singapore American School and supported by TD Ameritrade. Although we could not physically be together, we had a fantastic sense of community and spirit! We proudly delivered an evening of festive fun, with goodie bags packed with fun activities; live music from Band on the Run; patriotic words from US Chargé d’Affaires, Rafik Mansour, AAS President, Blair Hall, and The American Club President, Nasir Kausar. The evening was all the more special because the whole community was involved. BSA Troops 07 and 10 got things rolling with an opening flag ceremony. Singapore American School rising senior Elly Gaskell beautifully sang the Singapore and US national anthems; the AWA International Choir gave us a beautiful rendition of “You Raise Me Up;” and Girl Scout Troop 21 conducted our closing flag ceremony. Whether gathered with friends or at home with family, we feasted on classic American fare, viewing the live event and tucking to an American Club picnic basket full of specially selected goodies. And the goodie bags provided by SAS rocked! We raised a glass to the holiday and a good time was had by all. Happy Independence Day everyone! 12 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 13
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The brand-new edition of
Living in Singapore 15th Edition Reference Guide (LIS) is hot off the presses!
Whether you're a newcomer or long-timer, this amazing book sponsored by Singapore American School has everything you need to know about living in Singapore and is as up-to-date as it gets. AAS has published this fantastic reference guide for more than 40 years and it just keeps getting better and better. Be one of the first to nab a copy of the bible for life on the Little Red Dot.
Scan the QR code, or visit our website at www.aasingapore.com to purchase a copy now!
Take the Lead Like a Girl Scout! When she's a Girl Scout, she’s also a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)TM.
Registration is open on our website through August 31 for girls ages 5 to 18. Learn more at www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org. Like us on Facebook at Singapore USA Girl Scouts Girl Scouts is leadership training disguised as fun. 14 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
American Women’s Association Singapore (AWA) and American Association of Singapore (AAS) share a common history. AWA originated in 1935 as the American Women’s Auxiliary of the AAS. The auxiliary was an important network of American housewives who bonded together to adjust to the culture shock and the unfamiliar social norms of early Singapore’s British colonial society. Their first committees were formed to organize bake sales, donate to charity, and help the men of AAS plan and host holiday celebrations for the American community of Singapore.
Despite not being able to host in-person meet ups, AWA reaches out to our active membership through regular updates in our bimonthly email bulletins, social media posting, and our digital AWA Magazine. The website also displays a monthly calendar of events offered by over 50 interest groups.
Despite changes in expat life, the local population, and Singapore’s independence and modernization, the Women’s Auxiliary remained a part of AAS for nearly 50 years. In 1981, this network of American women left AAS to become the independent American Women’s Association (AWA), with membership open to women of all nationalities. AWA considers AAS an important sister organization in serving the American community in Singapore. Indeed, our organizations share many of the same members and serve an expatriate community in Singapore that values and celebrates American culture.
AWA’s Annual Fashion Show
For athletes and sporting enthusiasts, AWA has groups of walkers, runners, hikers, golfers and tennis players, where our members stay fit and form close friendships. Others bond over regular coffee mornings, book groups, mahjong, crafting/quilting, choir, and cooking! Many members enjoy sharing arts and culture exploration, local tours, photography, and playgroups.
Volunteers at Willing Hearts
The AWA programs continue to attract newcomers. Our strength is our ability to maintain a dynamic network while keeping relevant to changes in culture, needs and desires of our international membership. The Covid Pandemic has affected our major events such as the Welcome Fair, the Spring Fashion Show, and the Holiday Lights Tour, which hopefully can return in 2022. These events are also open to guests and family of AWA members, the same as AAS events.
Finding a way to share and socialize in AWA is easy and allows members a private forum to find like-minded women, ask questions, advertise a business, or buy/sell goods. AWA also maintains our tradition of giving back to the community either through volunteer opportunities within AWA or connecting members to outside organizations. For more information, visit AWA Singapore on Facebook and at the AWA website.
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 15
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Troop 07
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rtesy of Vir
Photos cou
Coelho
Tippy Taps
By Emma Sanvicente, USAGSO Singapore Troop 21
My Brownie troop ended its World of Water journey by making a tabletop Tippy Tap. You may be asking, “Why would I use this and what is it?” A Tippy Tap is a simple homemade device that you use to wash your hands. You step on a plank that is connected to a hanging water bottle and water falls on your hands, so you can wash with minimal water and without touching anything. PREVENT SPREAD OF DISEASE The Tippy Tap invention is really helpful right now because of the Covid-19 virus. It is really important to wash your hands because it prevents you from getting sick and infecting other people. Also, washing your hands helps cure all kinds of diseases helping everyone to get rid of them! SAVE WATER The Tippy Tap also helps you to save water because it only uses 40ml of water to help you wash your hands! Isn’t that just amazing? CLEVER DESIGN AND USES How do you use it? First, step on the plank that’s on the ground. Once the water bottle tips towards you, rinse your hands quickly. Then, lather your hands with the soap that’s hanging on the rope near the water bottle and then rinse again. You’re done! This is a magnificent invention because the only thing you touch is the soap, so you do NOT have to worry about touching a dirty sink tap that ALWAYS gets dirty. People use a Tippy Tap in villages after coming home from work, school, or even the shops! It’s not exactly like a sink, but at least it’s convenient and easy to make - even kids can make it with help - and the health benefits are amazing! You can make a Tippy Tap, too! There are many different versions. Since most of our troop members live in apartments, we made a tabletop version, but if you have your own garden, what a fun project this would be!
Click here for more info and to see a Tippy Tap in action!
Photos courtesy of Emma Sanvicente LIVING IN SINGAPORE 17
Quarantine Kits Thank you, Boy Scouts!
Volunteers from BSA Troop 07, Troop 10 and Cub Scout Pack 3010 spent a Sunday afternoon packing 200 quarantine kits for new families moving to Singapore. They were amazing, kind and so efficient! When asked how they felt about helping, one Scout said he was happy to be helping terrible quarantine be better! We appreciate their selflessness, and we’re sure the families who receive the bags will enjoy all of the goodies to keep them busy during quarantine.
Stuck in quarantine or have a friend who is? We still have kits available! Get yours now!
Photos courtesy of Nilam Mehta 18 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021 Thank You For Making Us Proud!
Congratulations to our Class of 2021 students for achieving the school’s highest scores ever and our strongest performance yet on this year’s IB exams.
80
students took the IB Diploma Programme
100% passing rate
35
average IB score
21/2/2020 – 20/2/2024
Stamford American International School CPE Registration Number: 200823594D Period of registration: August 10, 2018 to August 9, 2022
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 19
living in s Humans of The Embassy Father and Son, Arsad and Ashrul
This month, we’d like to introduce you to this dynamic father/son duo at the embassy. Arsad: I helped build this embassy in 1992, laying the foundation, brick by brick. My position was a “runner,” supporting operations, handling permits, collecting various tools for onsite working teams, and liaising with other companies. I also read the blueprints and worked side-byside with people from neighboring countries, along with retired US soldiers. Did you know this site was once a British solider camp, with traditional white colonial buildings? After the embassy building opened in 1994, I learned of a vacancy in the US Commercial Service office, and I have been working with them since 1996 in various capacities such as setting up trade shows, driving VIP visitors, and working closely with the head of the Commercial Service. Ashrul: Thanks to my dad, who told me of an opening at US Embassy Singapore, I joined the mailroom about a year and a half ago. Every week, I go to the airport to pick up diplomatic mail sent from the US, which we refer to as “the pouch.” I then sort it all and create a system for people to receive their mail. Prior to this, since finishing National Service, I worked as a courier for international firms like DHL and I was a driver in the army. I really enjoy this type of work because I’m moving around outside and am never desk bound. Arsad: Growing up, my son and I had a great relationship, rarely fighting, but like any normal family, there are always good times and bad. It is important to find something you like to do. Most of my previous jobs have been for American companies. I worked for General Motors for ten years and really enjoy working for large companies. I especially like the mindset of American companies, as they trust their employees. I’m most proud of my two grandkids. My granddaughter, Aryana, is six years old and my grandson, Aamyr, is six months old. I spoil them. That’s what granddads are for! I also have another son, Nazri, who is a part-time administrative assistant and lives at home with my wife, Sania, and me.
20 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
singapore Ashrul at five years old.
Ashrul: Working with my dad is nice because we see each other regularly, however, neither of us interfere with the other’s job. As long as there are no complaints, my father is happy! We drive to work separately; me in my car, and my father on his motorbike. Arsad: We love bowling together. My son recently won the embassy’s bowling competition, with a score of 200. We are both on different teams, usually bowling twice a week before COVID, and sometimes with former colleagues from different departments to stay connected. Back in the 60s, families were quite large. My wife is one of eight siblings and I’m one of five. Although we are Singaporean, our families are originally from Indonesia.
Ashrul: My mom was more strict when we were growing up and did most of the scolding, but when my dad opened his mouth, you knew you did something wrong! Now, my mom cooks all kinds of food for our family to enjoy and my wife, Sameem, is a full-time supermom. Arsad: Mainly, my son and I are like friends. We rarely have disagreements. I’m going to retire soon, maybe in another three years, and then my son can carry on the tradition of working for US Embassy Singapore.
(Left to right) Nazri (older brother), Arsad (father), and Ashrul (younger brother)
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The Future of Travel What Might the Post-Pandemic Travel World Look Like? By John S. Hamalian
To travel or not to travel, that will not be the remain for quite a while. But what about after that…beyond travel bubbles, safe corridors and question; but rather where, and how? green lanes. How will the social, economic, “I can’t wait to travel again!” is probably one environmental and technological trends of our of the most common refrains heard during the day influence the way we travel in the coming pandemic. We didn’t realize just how much we years? Here are a few possible scenarios to missed travel, with all of its many nuisances and contemplate while we dream of future journeys. small tortures, until it was gone. It seems that now we would jump at the chance to wait on Work From Beach long queues, to ensure our electronic devices are First, there was WFW (Work From Work) and put in a separate bin and raise our arms up as if hardcore criminals. Such is human nature. So for now there is WFH (Work From Home) -- is WFV now, while still largely hunkered and bunkered, (Work From Vacation) next? A friend of mine what do we do? We lament, we dream, we save, from Portugal declared to me that he and his we think and we plan. But plan for what? What wife are planning a six-month trip to Asia next year. “That’s kind of a long time to be away from might travel look like down the road? work,” I dubiously stated to him. “Oh, no,” was In the short term, everything we have been his immediate reply, “we will still be working, just getting used to — temperature checks, tracing not all the time.” He plans to work and play while check-ins, covid tests and the like — will likely traveling and sight-seeing. My friend’s work
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entails activities such as running training courses, most of which are now online. He can easily do this while hanging out in Phuket, for example, and if his hostel is too “hostile” for online learning, he just needs to rent out some quiet space for a few days at a time.
The pandemic has shown us that a lot of work (though certainly not all) can be done remotely, and not only has technology provided us with the means to accomplish that but, perhaps more importantly, corporate and social norms are now making it largely permissible. Would a combination of work and vacation suit everyone? Probably not, as some may prefer a real break holiday break, but the option will be there.
Sustainable Travel
enhanced by the growing realization that current human development patterns are unsustainable, possibly even creating the circumstances by which the virus came to us in the first place. Due to these realities, key aspects of how we travel are changing, some of it driven by demand (us and our travel choices), some of it by supply (recall that the an entire island of Boracay was shut down to tourists for half a year due to chronic pollution). Sustainable Travel aims to preserve (and ideally even increase!) the enjoyment of traveling while minimizing negative and maximizing positive social-economic-environmental impacts of travel itself. It is centered around a few key elements, such as 1) Alternative means of transport that avoid air travel (how about taking an adventure on the Trans-Siberian Railway rather than a mundane flight from Moscow to Vladivostok?); 2) Avoiding Over-Tourism (so many of us have been to Bangkok, but how about the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai?); and 3) Engaging in activities that support sustainability while traveling, which can range from simple actions like minimizing singleuse plastics to more comprehensive endeavors such as organized tours where participants can actually engage in sustainability activities (i.e., sign up to plant trees, help preserve local communities, or learn about endangered species while contributing to the NGOs that help protect them).
Throughout the pandemic, images of wildlife reclaiming dormant tourist spots and graphs of dramatic drops in CO2 levels have starkly reminded each of us of the footprint we leave on the planet every time we travel. Tourism is responsible for roughly eight per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, according to Sustainable Travel International, but also affects the purity of our world’s built and natural wonders. The recent momentum around climate change and air/land/sea pollution impact awareness is not going away and – if anything – may be LIVING IN SINGAPORE 23
The second and third elements also tend to support another aspect of Sustainable Travel: helping reduce income inequality by promoting local economies in second and third tier tourist destinations. While there is nothing like chilling on a beach once in a while, all of these alternative activities sound like a heck of a more memorable (and meaningful) adventure than the typical “Hey, look at me with an umbrella drink” trips.
Physical/Digital Hybrid Routines Many of the digital “everything online” habits we have developed during the pandemic, particularly in periods when we were in near or total lockdown, will likely linger for a long time. How will these new routines and patterns affect how we travel — before, during and after our trips? Pre-travel will probably leverage online research more than ever before, perhaps with a bigger focus on video tools. Will we use Virtual Reality (VR) to “test” a destination prior to buying those expensive tickets? Will we do a Zoom call with a local person to get to know a place beforehand? Travel itself could be supplanted by VR in an extreme scenario, especially to extremely remote or dangerous places, but more likely Augmented Reality may be used so people can easily navigate and explore their strange new worlds. More digital engagement with friends and family during rather than just after trips may also transpire (on-the-spot video calls to livestream your exotic meal instead of that boring slideshow to punish folks with upon your return). Post-trip, digital tools will make it even easier to share experiences and weigh in on pros and cons of tour companies, hotels and destinations themselves. On a broader scale, how we define travel itself may transform in ways we cannot even imagine, a trend started by creative hybrid service offerings such as Medical Tourism. Aided by advanced technology, the walls of the traditional silos of Transport, Hospitality, F&B, Shopping, Healthcare, Wellness, Philanthropy and Workspaces may evaporate to the point where it will be difficult
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to see where one begins and the other ends, conceivably providing the ultimate in end-to-end travel experiences.
The Wild Card The final element is perhaps the most debatable: just where will we go in the future? In a simplistic summation, the question comes down to a couple of main possibilities for the types of areas we will yearn to visit: hot spots or cold spots. There are two competing schools of thought
on this. One holds that travelers will avoid hot spots, the places where majorities tend to flock to such as Rome or Hong Kong, because they want to decrease risk. The premise here is that the pandemic has programmed us to become averse to human contact, to limit proximity to one another, to loathe crowds. We will instead shift to cold spots, places under-traveled, and reembrace the forgotten joys of the expedition itself through free-wheeling travel and backpacking. “It will be the desire simply to go, and to figure things out along the journey,” says travel author Rolf Potts.
The other argument is that people will still prioritize travel to the well-established tourist spots, even outright avoiding “less developed” areas that have perceived deficiencies in basic services such as healthcare and cleanliness. However there may be caveats, as the list of hot spots might be narrower than before the pandemic, limited to countries and regions with a very strong reputation for excellent governance, orderliness and civic responsibility. International affairs expert James Crabtree predicts that “countries with strong pandemic records will deploy them as tourism marketing strategies.” Think Taiwan, Singapore and New Zealand. In this scenario, some previous hot spots that are deemed to be ‘risky’ may be demoted to warm spots. Regardless of how any of these scenarios play out, one thing is certain: we shall dream, we shall plan, and we shall travel again. Whether by purposeful trek or meandering odyssey, on well-laid roads or paths less groomed, to familiar harbors or undiscovered countries; we will traverse, we will explore and we will responsibly partake of the many treasures that have been beautifully bestowed upon this good earth that we all share together.
References: Carbon Footprint of Tourism The Future of Travel After the Coronavirus Pandemic
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A Staycation at The Fullerton Hotel – Refreshing Peacefulness in the Center of Town By Richard Hartung
“Did you win?” Caitlyn WhatsApped. “Did you win?” Sandy texted. I told both that I wasn’t the “Richard” that popped up on a screen somewhere as a winner, since I was at home that Friday night. My life changed on Monday, though, when AAS told me that I was indeed the winner of a Lucky Draw. All I’d done was fill out a simple survey about AAS and I’d won a free staycation at The Fullerton Hotel. Although I had been entirely virtual life, even amidst the reopening, the opportunity was irresistible. I called the Fullerton as soon as I received the voucher and made a reservation. It turns out that there is much more to the Fullerton than simply a fancy hotel room. The concierge quickly sent offers for a free Monument Tour, special cocktails in my room, private dining at the Fullerton Farm, spa services, mindfulness sessions, room upgrades to a Marina Bay View or Straits Club room, and more. Seeing that the
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Farm dinner was vegetarian, I decided to give it a try. And since the View room included a balcony, I signed up for it, too. Closer to the date, I reserved my time at the pool on the second floor. The stay included free parking, which was incredibly convenient. The friendly team at the Fullerton kindly helped with all my digital requests.
Lucky D
WIN
raw
NER
once. And I did visit the farm. Who would have known that a garden with vegetables, Taking the elevator up to the seventh floor and herbs, and even walking down the hallway, it was hard to believe papayas sits in front that the building was erected in 1928. It was of the hotel? The next morning, thoroughly modern and luxurious. the courteous staff who brought breakfast Walking into the room, I headed towards the in a bento box offered to provide more of anything balcony and looked out towards Marina Bay. that I wanted. While the room wasn’t large, it imbued luxury, The time spent reading, enjoying delicious and amenities such as the Italian desk chair made meals and watching the view rather than looking it quite comfortable. A surprise was how quiet it at digital devices was delightful. I headed home was. Being quite sensitive to noise, the clamor refreshed, and ready to come back again once from the streets at a hotel in the CBD often more facilities are open so that I can enjoy the full disturbs me. The combination of thick walls and scope of a true gem in the center of town. double doors to the balcony meant there were no traffic sounds at all. When I arrived at reception, I was surprised to find most counters full. Staff reached out and took me to another counter, so I checked in quickly.
I spent inordinate amounts of time in the comfortable chairs on the balcony, reading and gazing out at the view. A glass of wine as the sun headed down enhanced the ambience. The next morning, since many facilities closed, I went for a delightful run around Marina Bay, past tai chi practitioners in the park and massive skyscrapers. Even though dining facilities were closed, the concierge offered to provide the same meal in my room that I would have had at the Farm. Staff were super-friendly and even came back with a warm main course after I finished the salad and appetizer rather than delivering the entire meal all at
Would you like to be our next winner? Join AAS between August 1 and September 30, 2021, and be entered in a drawing to win a staycation at the Sofitel Sentosa Spa & Resort or a brunch voucher for SO/ Singapore! Already a member? Refer a friend and be entered to win a $100 voucher to Lawry’s The Prime Rib. LIVING IN SINGAPORE 29
Singapore American School Announces $400 million Campus Upgrade Project By Kyle Aldous, Singapore American School Director of Communications
Singapore American School is excited to announce a S$400 million campus upgrade project that reimagines the role of classrooms and buildings in the learning journey and will provide unmatched learning opportunities for students and teachers. The school has partnered with worldrenowned education design firm, Fielding International, to design the new campus, and with local award-winning China Construction Development Company for construction. The project will be completed in three phases, with phase one having begun on May 29, 2021, and the entire project scheduled for completion by fall 2026. "Our greatest asset as a school is our educators. They are essential in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences for each and every student who comes to SAS. We invest significantly in attracting, developing, and retaining some of the greatest teachers in the world. Our campus upgrade project 30 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
represents one more way we are investing in our educators. This project will create learning environments with endless possibilities for our students and educators," said Tom Boasberg, superintendent of Singapore American School. The project is the result of several years of planning and school community engagement. The result is the culmination of thousands of parent, educator, and student voices who have shared thoughtful feedback throughout the development process.
During this process, six key design themes Smart emerged: New learning environments will include modern and innovative systems to support learning well Flexible into the future. Digital room reservation software SAS Reimagined is a forward-looking vision for allows users to set their lighting, technology, and the campus that not only meets the needs of temperature preferences, while a sustainability current students, but has the flexibility to meet dashboard will provide real-time data about energy the needs of future students as education changes and resource use. Besides promoting efficiency, over time. What kids need now may be different this will act as a learning resource for students. in 10 or 20 years and a flexible campus allows the One of the first pieces of the plan to be completed learning approach to evolve over time. is the creation of a new collection of athletic fields located west of the current campus. The West Functional Fields include one baseball field, one full-size With more flexibly designed buildings, the school will capture more space for learning, play/activity space, and new programs. SAS Reimagined offers the opportunity to increase learning space by as much as 30 percent, and play space by as much as 84 percent.
Scalable SAS is built upon an expansive 36acre campus. SAS Reimagined will creatively and effectively optimize land use with an emphasis on creating community opportunities to make a big school feel small.
Modular Modular spaces will allow teachers to adjust classrooms on the fly. Sliding glass doors, moveable walls, and lots of flexible seating options will empower teachers to create spaces customized to the learning students engage in each day.
Sustainable SAS Reimagined will be sensitive to the natural landscape. It will encourage the conservation of resources and ensure energy efficiency in building design. Goals include meeting Net Zero energy for all new construction and meeting Singapore's Green Mark Platinum standard and the WELL standard. The overall sustainability goal is to balance present needs with future imperatives.
soccer/football field, and four tennis/multi-purpose courts. The school is working with local community leaders to make these fields available for public use during non-school hours. Additionally, the school will create a garden plot on this land where local community members can plant and raise gardens. "Woodlands is our home and we enjoy finding new ways to partner with and give back to the local community. Each year we support the annual Halloween event, invite community members to join our Fourth of July BBQ, and connect our students directly with local students to serve in a variety of ways. We are excited to create a new place where community members can come together to enjoy sports and also enjoy the fruits of their work," said Superintendent Boasberg.
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What Are Water Warts?! By Dr. Dex Khor
Water warts are one of the most common issues we see in children in our clinics. It’s also one of the most frequently searched terms in Google in Singapore! Water warts can be a confusing childhood issue that many parents have never seen before. Dr. Dex, a doctor at IMC, explains what exactly they are and how we can treat them.
attending childcare or preschool. Even though it is infectious, it is not a serious condition, and having molluscum is not a reason to keep a child home form school. Children with atopic eczema are more prone to molluscum. Teenagers and adults are much less prone to molluscum.
What are water warts? Molluscum contagiosum is commonly known as “water warts.” It’s a common viral skin infection of childhood caused by a poxvirus known as molluscum contagiosum virus. It appears as small warty bumps (mollusca) on the skin in small raised pink lesions with a dimple in the center. They may become itchy or sore, and occur singularly or in groups.
Who can get water warts?
What do water warts look like?
Molluscum papules are small (less than 6mm Molluscum mainly affects infants and children across) and may be white, pink or brown. They under ten, and occurs most often in children are often seen in clusters on the armpits, behind
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health & wellness
the knees, groin or genital areas. Unlike Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), they do not appear on the palms or soles, but may sometimes appear in the mouth. Old molluscum may become inflamed or crusted, and scratched bumps may be infected. Most children will feel completely well with molluscum.
Should I pop the water warts?
years. See your GP to confirm it is molluscum and not some other rash like HFMD – a diagnosis can be useful to clear your child to continue preschool. Cover the rash with loose clothing and make sure the skin is well moisturized. Avoid scratching the rash as it can spread along the skin, and cause a bacterial infection from contaminated fingernails. We can control the spread of molluscum in the household by making sure personal items like towels and toys are not shared.
No! Scratching and picking can spread the virus to other parts of your body. If your skin breaks Some children may have a more severe open, you can infect your skin. This can be painful molluscum rash, in which case they may be and requires treatment. referred to a dermatologist for freeze therapy (cryotherapy) or curettage. These treatments What can we do about water warts? can be painful, so are usually reserved for older Most of the time, molluscum will get better by children or teenagers. itself, although this can take up to one to two
Dr. Dex Khor graduated from University College London in 1999 and later obtained Membership of the UK Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Dr. Dex worked in UK Paediatric wards before returning to Singapore. Dr. Dex has also worked in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
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Five Tips for Managing Anxiety Right Now By Agi Heale
tighten, everything clenches up and it can feel all-consuming. In that very moment, I need to “get rid” of that nervous energy. So give this a try. Stand up tall and flick out your hands to your side. As you do so, imagine that the nervous energy is flicking out of your fingertips and dripping away from you. Next, run your hands down your arms, creating friction, to get rid of the energy through your fingertips. Finally, jiggle your whole body Ultimately anxiety is just anxiety. It can crop up – shaking the anxiety out of your system. Then, at any time. We will continue to be under pressure move on to the next tip of breathing. and face really challenging times. Therefore, I wanted to share my top five tips, which will ensure Breathing you feel more resilient and confident whatever We forget that our breath is (unsurprisingly!!) happens in your day. These five are some of my “go-to’s” whenever I am feeling overwhelmed with us at any given moment. We can get so and can be done with anyone of any age – the caught up in a moment that we forget to breathe energy flick and breathing can be particularly fun or we breathe very high up in our chest, all tight and sprung up. There is tons of research around to do together with kids. deep belly breathing and its benefits. So, in a stressful and anxious moment, remember to take Energy Flick a few deep, proper breaths. Start by breathing For me, when I start to feel anxious, it is as in for a count of three, holding for three and though a current of electricity runs through my then breathing out for three. If you are dealing body and I almost feel “whizzy.” My shoulders The world has been changing at the rate of knots and it has been an incredibly challenging 18 months for many people. As the world starts to open up into a “new normal,” anxiety seems to be everywhere. Have I done this right? Am I able to handle this? How come everyone else seems completely sorted while I feel like I’m crumbling? There is a lot going on.
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with a challenging situation or you suddenly feel Routine stressed, this is a perfect time to take a few deep It is critical that you take care of yourself on a breaths. Breathe, calm yourself, reset and then go daily level. Simple things, like trying to get enough back in again to try and deal with the situation sleep, and consuming things that work for your body not against it, can have a profound impact on your anxiety. If you have had a poor night sleep, reaching for caffeine and sugary things to get through the day will often only backfire later. Think about putting yourself first. Imagine you have a little genie on your shoulder who is looking out for you. They will tell you the best daily habits and routine that will genuinely make you feel good from the inside out. At the moment, many people are finding that the lines between work when you are more composed and calmer. As you and home life are blurred. When your desk is two get better at breathing, try to increase the 3-3-3 meters away from your dinner table and then to 4-4-4, right the way up to 7-7-7 (seven in, seven another three meters from your bed, it is hard to hold, seven out). Breathing is the most powerful have clear boundaries or a routine that is easy to tool to get your heart rate to slow and to calm keep. Defining things like screen time, hours that your body down. You just need to remember to you work in the day, or when you eat dinner as do it, so pop a sticky note up somewhere you will a family will make a huge difference. All of these see it. ideas might not seem like much, but everything truly does add up, so changing that coffee to a Take Each Moment as It Comes decaf and stepping away from your emails after I find I can get really overwhelmed by the overall 7pm can have a huge effect. Remember the plane to do list – there are appointments I need to instructions that in an emergency, you need to remember weeks from now, dinners in the diary put on your own oxygen mask first before helping and work pitches to be completed. It can spiral others? This is no different in real life. Prioritize quite quickly into panic and make it impossible to yourself and find a routine that works for you so complete very simple tasks. The obsession with that you are in the best position to help others. the future and worrying about all that is upcoming can completely ruin the moment. Try and bring it back to this moment. How can you make just the next five minutes happier? Question: what would happen if I just enjoyed this right now (yes, even if it feels pretty horrendous)? Or perhaps ask yourself, what do I need to get through the next hour? By bringing it back to these simple questions, and into this very moment, you can stop the overwhelm and make it a little happier.
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Support Network The biggest thing I have learned from writing Generation Panic is that everyone experiences anxiety on some level. Yes, to repeat, every single person you come across (regardless of how well put together they are) will be fighting or has fought some battle that you might well not see. So… start with opening up and leaning on your support network. Do not feel alone, as I guarantee that others close to you will be able to relate in some way. So right now, I want you to message one person, so that you know that you have people you can rely on and are not alone. You can tackle your anxiety by trying out these five easy and simple tips, so that it doesn’t feel so overwhelming and debilitating. Good luck, you’ve got this! If you want to find out more about Generation Panic, which is jam-packed with over 100 tools and techniques such as these to combat anxiety, check out www.generationpanic.com. It is available for order on Amazon, Book Depository, Kindle, Audible etc. Likewise, it would be great to hear from you and find out what you do that helps when you are feeling anxious, so do get in touch at agi@westbourneassociates.com.
Agi is an Executive Coach with CRCE. Find out more here.
Agi Heale is an experienced Certified Professional Coach and Founder of Westbourne Associates, where she runs coaching programs, assessments and workshops to help clients feel calm, confident and operate at their best. Agi has suffered from anxiety on and off throughout her life, and had a bout of panic attacks in 2014. Using this book’s simple techniques, she learned how to manage her anxiety and has not had a panic attack since that time. Agi now lives in Singapore and spends her “free-time” with her husband chasing after her young kids in the Lion City.
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Charming Changi
The History of Singapore’s Commercial Airports By Asif R. Chowdhury
Many of us who haven’t left Singapore in close to two years are probably missing airports right now. What better time to learn about the airports that preceded our beloved Changi Airport?
airport hubs in Southeast Asia. Based on a recent study conducted by Institute of Policy Studies on Singapore’s history, the opening of Changi Airport is placed among the five most important events in Singapore’s brief fifty-six years of history. Indeed, Changi Airport epitomizes Singapore’s rise from a developing nation to a fully developed firstworld nation within a single generation. During non-COVID times, about 400,000 flights fly in and out of Changi annually. Since its opening in 1981, when it handled seven million passengers, it has gradually and continually been expanded and upgraded. In 2019, just before the COVID19 pandemic hit, Changi Airport handled a record 68 million passengers.
Changi Airport was probably the first place that welcomed many of us to our new home in Singapore. Arriving here after our long flights, we were likely happy and relieved to see how quickly our checked-in baggage showed up, how efficiently we cleared customs area, and how neat and clean everything was. As we were driven off from the airport and our families got the first glimpse of Singapore, most of us were probably delighted by the beautiful flora and fauna that lines the ultra-clean highway which runs in and In addition to being a regional hub and one of out of the airport. With its diverse work force of Chinese, Malay and Tamil descent, Changi Airport the busiest airports in Asia, Changi is like no other truly represents everything that is Singapore – airport in the world! Whereas most passengers dread going to airports with semi-chaotic and clean, orderly, and efficient. crowded security and immigration check points, It is interesting that the tiny city-state of Changi is one of the few airports that most Singapore boasts one of the largest and busiest LIVING IN SINGAPORE 39
passengers look forward to visiting. People don’t actually mind having a long layover there. Especially for transit passengers, the entertainment, food, and shopping Changi offers can be simply out of this world. Unlike most airports around the world, Changi is a mixture of amusement and theme park. It boasts an upscale shopping mall, with all sorts of restaurants from local hawker-center style food to world-class cuisines; various gardens in each of the terminal buildings; a cultural museum; the largest indoor slide on the island; a rooftop swimming pool; and a large indoor waterfall surrounded by tropical forests. The airport just happens to be attached to all these amenities! The airport complex has more than 150 dining and 400 shopping outlets, including Asia’s largest Nike store. Interestingly, there were three different commercial airports in Singapore before Changi Airport had solidified Singapore as a key aviation hub, each with its own interesting history.
Seletar Airport Seletar Airport, which still serves as a commercial airport today, originally opened in 1928 as a military air base for the British Royal Air Force (RAF). From 1930 to 1937, it served as the very first commercial airport of Singapore. It served as the primary air base for the British Forces leading up to the World War II, but fell to the Japanese occupying forces during the early part of 1942. Subsequently, it became the air base for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the war. After the war ended, it went back to the RAF and stayed with them until the closure of the base in March An aerial view of Seletar airfield, with Royal Air Force Mosquito and Dakota aircraft parked up
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of 1971. RAF handed it over to the Singapore Air Defence Command, which was later renamed as the Singapore Air Force. In its heyday, Seletar Air Base was home to some of the well-known classic aircrafts such as the Spitfire and the De Havilland Mosquito. Currently, Seletar Airport operates as a general commercial airport primarily servicing private jets and chartered flights. More recently, some international flights to and from Malaysia have started to operate from Seletar Airport. The Singapore Flying Club operates out of Seletar as well.
Kallang Airport The first true commercial airport in Singapore was the Kallang Airport. In 1931, the Governor of Singapore, Sir Cecil Clementi, proposed a permanent location for a new international airport in Singapore, since Seletar was primarily serving as the air base for the RAF. The Governor proposed the Kallang Basin as the location for this new airport, which is off the present-day Nicoll Highway, very close to the Singapore Sports Hub. The British government went all out in designing an ultramodern airport facility in Kallang. The terminal
building was designed by the Chief Architect of Public Works Department, Frank Dorrington Ward, a well-respected architect during his time. The main terminal building was a masterpiece of modernist style made of glass and steel. During its early days of operation, Kallang Airport had the reputation of being one of the finest airports in the British Empire. With a budget of $8 million, it took a total of six years to build it and it officially opened in 1937. The work included reclaiming lands in Kallang Basin, which used to be a large mangrove swamp filled with crocodiles and mosquitoes. Kallang Airport served the Malaya area well for 18 years. However, by the early 1950s, with the increase of civil aviation during the post-war era, the increasing amount of air traffic started to strain the capacity of Kallang Airport. Initially, the British government contemplated expanding Kallang. But since the area was surrounded by heavily populated Geylang area, it did not make sense to expand the existing airport. Kallang Airport Terminal
the original airport terminal building, some of the administrative buildings, the aircraft hangers, and the control tower for conservation. While it is sitting empty today, hopefully it will be transformed into a museum where people can visit and get a glimpse of Singapore’s commercial aviation past.
Paya Lebar Airport For the next larger commercial airport, the government chose 1,033 acres of land in the Paya Lebar area. Unfortunately, it was a populated area also at the time and the local residents had to be relocated. More than 300 families had to be moved to free up the designated space for the new airport. The Paya Lebar International Airport opened in August 1955. It became one of the two primary hubs of then Malayan Airways, a predecessor to the Singapore Airlines. It is from Paya Lebar that the airline took its maiden international flight to Hong Kong using a DC-4 turboprop aircraft leased from Qantas Airlines. In 1962, the airport also started to serve as a military air base for Air Defence. It was also the home to the supersonic Concorde in 1979 and 1980, when British Airways, in conjunction with Singapore Airlines, began the supersonic service between London Heathrow and Singapore. By the 1970s, with the advent of the jet-age, the number of passengers at Paya Lebar Airport had already started to increase. It rose from 1.4 million to four million during the early to midseventies. Once again, Singapore found itself needing to expand its airport capacity. This time, foreign consultants were brought in to review the possibilities of expanding Paya Lebar or finding a suitable location for a new airport. Even
The colonial government decided to build a brand new airport in the district of Paya Lebar. After the Kallang Airport was decommissioned in 1955, the compound was used by different organizations, most notably by the People’s Association from 1960 until 2009. Parts of the airport were redeveloped – the runway was converted into Kallang Park and later served as the area for the old National Stadium. Singapore’s first modern residential precinct was built in the eastern part of the airport and is now known as the Old Kallang Airport Estate. In 2008, the government gazetted
Royal Air Force personnel pass in front of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft at Kallang Airport.
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 41
though Paya Lebar Airport was surrounded by a populated area, the recommendation was to expand the existing airport. Instead of following the recommendation of the foreign consultants, the Singapore government decided to build a new airport on the eastern coast of Singapore at, the site of the old Changi Air Base where there was plenty of space for future development if needed. It is a testament to the foresightedness of Singapore’s leader, Lee Kwan Yew, and the government at that time, as they rightfully realized that perhaps there will be a need to expand the airport again in the decades ahead.
those years, the airport was completed in a record time of six years and within budget. Changi Airport became operational in July 1981, and was officially opened in December of the same year. The first flight to land at Changi was Singapore Airlines SQ101, carrying 140 passengers from Kuala Lumpur, and the first flight departing Changi was SQ192 to Penang.
Changi Airport With the opening of Changi in 1981, Paya Lebar was completely transformed into a military air force base. It’s a major air force base today and serves various operations for the US Air Force, including using it as a refueling base. All of the Air Force One flights carrying various US Subsequently, Terminal 2 opened in 1990 and presidents, including George W. Bush, Barack Terminal 3 became operational in 2008. The Obama, and most recently, Donald Trump used newest terminal, Terminal 4, opened in 2017. Not the Paya Lebar Air Base. so widely known is the CIP terminal at Changi In 1975, the construction of the new airport in which serves as a luxury terminal, but is open to Changi started at what used to be the old Changi all passengers. For a fee, passengers can feel like Air Base. Changi Air Base was built during World a VIP. War II by the Japanese occupying forces using their prisoners-of-war. It was later briefly used by the RAF after the end of the war. The original plan for Changi Airport included two runways and four passenger terminals; the first phase included only Terminal 1 with plans for other terminals as needed. The construction of the new airport involved significant land reclamation work. Almost 1,700 acres of land was reclaimed from the sea where Changi Airport stands today. Even though it was a massive undertaking and there was a shortage of material and workers during
Today, Changi Airport continues to serve as a major connection hub in Southeast Asia. It has become a household name for many travelers, including those who have never stepped foot into Singapore, but have used the airport to transit to their final destinations. They have fallen in love with Changi Airport in the process – just like many of us expats and locals alike. We all look forward to the days when Changi’s halls are full of passengers once more.
Asif is part of the executive management team of a global semiconductor company and has written for various magazines and trade journals. Asif spent four years as an expatriate in Tokyo, Japan, and three years in Seoul, South Korea, which led him to travel extensively in those countries and across the region. He currently lives in Singapore with his wife and son, while his daughter is working in his home state of Texas.
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business The New World of Independent Consultants Platforms, Coworking and Support By Richard Hartung
Whether it’s to gain more flexibility or leverage their expertise, a growing number of people are becoming independent consultants. In the past, that usually meant using your network to find jobs, leveraging your expertise to provide value, and operating independently. Now though, a combination of consulting platforms, co-working spaces and support services make consulting much easier.
Setting up the Consultancy While it might seem like becoming a consultant is simply a matter of hanging out your shingle to promote your services, it’s important to set up your business right from the start.
When you’re ready to put all your information online and develop a website, you can find developers, graphic artists and other specialized support at affordable costs on sites such as Upwork or Fiverr. You don’t need certification to start, unless you have a licensed specialty. While organizations here such as the Singapore Business Advisors and Consultants Council do certify consultants for a fee, there is no need for certification for most work.
Promoting your Business
Independent consultants have traditionally leveraged their years of experience to add value to The first step is to decide on your focus and clients and a network of contacts in their industry competitive advantage. You’ll need to figure out to win business. While they are still important, your target market, business pitch and what there are other ways to find clients. makes you different from a multitude of other Consultant platforms offer an alternative independent experts. for generating business. Talmix, A-Connect, You’ll also need to decide whether to become a ICG, Business Talent Group and others bring sole proprietorship or a private limited company. experienced independent professionals together While becoming a sole proprietor is faster and to form teams for client projects. Talmix, for easier, a company limits your liability and also example, says it brings technology, experience offers tax advantages for Americans. and talent connections to more than 40,000 customers in more than 150 countries. Smaller and more specialized firms such as Paytech offer opportunities, too. Another option is learning networks, which offer clients access to experts in hour-long question-and-answer sessions. US-headquartered Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Third Bridge and AlphaSights in Europe and India-headquartered Insight
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Alpha are among a growing number of firms that screen experts and then hire them out to answer companies’ questions. Consultants’ fees can be hundreds of dollars per hour. GLG and others have expanded into placements for professionals for everything from speaking engagements to longterm work. (Disclosure: I have worked with GLG, A-Connect, Paytech and Talmix.)
Support Services While your main focus will be your business, you may also need office space, accounting services, legal advice, technical support or other services. All those services are more easily available now, too.
in-house IT department. Online software such as Xero or QuickBooks make accounting easy, and government grants can help defray setup costs. Small legal firms or online legal services can offer more affordable advice. And platforms such as Fiverr enable you to find people to help with a multitude of other support services, as well.
Finding Satisfaction While data on consultant numbers and satisfaction in Singapore are limited, recent analysis in the UK was reported in the Harvard Business Review. It showed that consultants feel more gratified in their work; believe they are providing a better service to their clients than when they were in a company; have more control over their time; and can flexibly balance work with their personal lives.
A key step is figuring out where to work. While many consultants work at home, coworking spaces have made the advantages of a quiet working space and a more affordable Central Business Thanks to the ease with which one can set up District business address more affordable. There are more than 200 flexible workspace centers in a business, as well as the multitude of options Singapore, according to EdgeProp, and costs can for support and finding clients and customers, consulting is more attractive than ever. be less than S$300 per month. On the technology front, firms such as Tekkiehelp provide technical support just like an
Richard is the Managing Director of Transcarta and a freelance writer for Today, Challenge, The Asian Banker and other media, as well as corporate clients. He is also the author of Changing Lanes, Changing Lives. Richard is a consultant in retail banking, focusing on payments strategy and efficiency, with more than 20 years of experience in Asia.
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Cultural Awareness: Five Phases of Team Building By Marc Servos
If you’re a new leader in Singapore, you may find that setting up a team overseas can have unique challenges. The increasing reality of market globalization requires today’s business leaders to adapt to working and interacting with others from diverse backgrounds. This involves staff members from these differing backgrounds having various work-style preferences and practices, which necessitates leaders and staff to develop a global mindset and be culturally competent. Cultural awareness comes into play when building a cohesive team. This can be a challenging task for business leaders, factors include not only developing a cross-cultural and multi-national team, but they also involve cross-functional and cross-organizational ones as well. In general, building a team comes in several phases.
Selecting Selection of team members is done in the first phase, appropriately known as selecting. Who to select involves a number of factors to consider. These include their professional and cultural backgrounds; possible communication 46 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
barriers (which can include technology and language barriers); varying levels of experience and expertise; any past experiences they had with one another; and time zone differences. After team selection, a means of communication needs to be chosen, such as by phone or online if the members are geographically dispersed.
Forming Once the team is selected, it goes through a forming phrase. This is when communication gets underway and expectations are addressed about how team members are aligned. Just before the introductory meeting, it is a good idea to take the cultural orientations assessment to ascertain their work-style preferences. After this and during the introductory meeting, highlights of their workstyle preferences can be addressed, including any gaps that could cause potential problems. The team leader should inform members that the results are neither positive nor negative, using inclusive and non-judgmental language. This should be conducted at least one week prior to the team kick-off, to smooth out any problems that may arise.
Storming
Performing
The third phase is storming, beginning with the kick-off meeting. Despite preparations, there still could be issues where work-style preferences conflict with the possibility of friction and misunderstandings. This could be a good time for the team leader to acknowledge this and address them effectively. He or she can use the cultural orientations assessment to help resolve these problems and continue to mentor team members throughout the project.
By the fifth and final phase, known as performing, the team can now work towards its goal without friction. Team leaders can delegate and assign roles for the members. Despite the cohesiveness having been developed by this stage, leaders still need to be prepared to handle issues which can include taking note of interaction-style preferences and conducting feedback sessions. Consideration of the group’s preference should play into feedback styles in a way to keep the group focused and functioning at a high level.
Functioning The team can begin functioning at the fourth phase, which is known as norming, as the team conforms to mutual goals. By this stage, the cultural gaps along with the technical, practical and communication issues have been addressed. Despite no apparent conflicts, small problems can still arise, and they need to be periodically handled as they can affect team cohesiveness and productivity. It is recommended that team leaders continually use the models of cultural competence, openmindedness and inclusion to help foster teamwork.
Understanding cultural awareness applies in many realms of conducting business. As indicated here, it is also critical to apply such principles even when team members see the initial commonality, such as not only being part of the same company, but also those of the same culture or nationality will find it beneficial as their preferences could also differ.
Marc Servos is certified with Berlitz as a Cultural Orientations Approach Practitioner. A Fort Wayne native, Indiana University graduate and US Army vet, he is married to a Singaporean and has been living here for a number of years. He has two children, ages 19 and 11. LIVING IN SINGAPORE 47
Final Thoughts... Work from home. School’s out for summer. Camps are closed because of COVID. The kid is at home and getting bored. She is singing Hamilton lyrics nonstop. Asking for snacks every ten minutes, playing Roblox and Minecraft while Facetiming with friends. What’s for dinner? Has anyone gone grocery shopping? What’s out of stock at the store this week? Should we just go out? Two can dine in. No wait, now five can dine in! Oh wait, no one can dine in. I guess we’ll just order. Are we in Phase 3? Phase 2? Phase 2B(HA)? Construction noise everywhere, across the street, down the road, upstairs. The days can leave you frazzled. Sometimes you need a moment of zen. We are lucky to have so many places in Singapore to take a breath and regroup, like this one. If you find yourself around Fort Canning, be sure to check out the Tree Tunnel at the northern edge of the park, near Fort Canning Road. You won’t regret taking a few minutes to yourself.
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Photo by Kelvin Han on Unsplash
CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ARE YOU LOOKING TO DEVELOP YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY OR PERSONALLY IN SINGAPORE? If so, the Career Resource Center for Excellence (CRCE) is the place for you! CRCE is for individuals residing in Singapore who are: • job hunting in Singapore • contemplating a career change • looking to get back into the workforce • wanting to further develop their professional skills • considering entrepreneurship • interested in personal development
MEMBER BENEFITS Job Search • Exclusive access to a members-only jobs board • Weekly email alerts with the latest jobs • Upload your resume for employers to review
Workshops & Events • Member pricing to workshops and events • Complimentary admission to one workshop • Access to selected AmCham events
Join CRCE today! Membership begins on the day you join for 12 months. CRCE membership is $220. If you’re a current AAS member, for an additional $100, you can add CRCE access.
Take our survey to let us know what you’d like to get out of CRCE! Complete it by August 20 and current AAS and CRCE members will be entered in a drawing to win High Tea for Two at Raffles Hotel.
Talk to us about joining now! crce@aasingapore.com
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 49
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