Some people will remember their first time doing something for the rest of their lives. Whether it is their first day at school, or their first time drinking alcohol, the first kiss, the first love, or the first time traveling abroad, etc..most people will remember what happened that day for a long period of time. I do believe that first times are valuable lessons in life because they help us understand the world around us and how we react to certain things. They teach us valuable lessons about ourselves and others. β€οΈ
I was taught that we should cherish our firsts
It's always exciting, yet nerve-wracking at the same time, to do something for the first time. You want it to go well, but you're not sure of what might happen. No matter how much experience you have with that particular activity, there is always some sense of uncertainty when doing it for the very first time. That happed to me and I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to make my first travel abroad adventure happen in 2014, right away after my graduation. The best part about it was that I was able to learn something new, explore the new country and become dependent financially. It was a surprising but invaluable experience.
After living there for a few months I realized that the place had its own charm and was very different from what I expected it to be.
I had always pictured myself moving to the USA after graduation, however; I found it impossible for me to purchase it during that time and I didn't want to be the financial burden of my parents if I want to study more. After then, I realized that I did not need to live where I wanted to visit. So I decided to search for a job and sent my cv to recruiters in some countries in SE Asia instead. It was one of the best decisions I have made because out of many applications and one month after sending my CV, I received an offer and interview from Singapore for the position of " Branch Manager" for the Franchise Retail Business. It was my first opportunity after graduation, and I will tell you all about it and my working experience in Singapore another time. π
When you've never left your home country, it can be hard to find out what to expect when you first move abroad. Culture shock and homesickness are common issues for people experiencing great change in their personal lives. Luckily, Viet Nam and Singapore are both Asian countries that share many of the same customs and traditions. So I didn't find it difficult to adapt to the new culture and life in this country.
From the moment I stepped off of the plane in this unfamiliar country, my eyes were opened to a new world of opportunity and challenges. Everywhere I looked, there was someone with a smile and a "Hello!" While the welcoming nature of people here was certainly welcoming and appreciated, the language barrier is what posed my most difficult challenge. After moving here, I had to understand the different accents and phrases. Then a few months later, the locals were enjoying speaking with me more because I could follow what they spoke. π
I was surprised at how modern it is as soon as I stepped out of the airport with luxury cars everywhere, amazing architecture, and how advanced their infrastructure is with gorgeous buildings, malls, and restaurants where you could get anything you wanted or skyscrapers with those fancy lights shining from them.
It looks like she stepped into a new world where everything is beautiful and luxurious π
Furthermore, the country's modernity is also very appealing to me. The nation has the world's most efficient public transportation system, and they are constantly adding new buildings to their skyline. The shopping in Singapore is some of the best in the world; you can find high-end clothing brands, electronics, and even luxury items.
Food is one of the most things I really enjoyed while I was in Singapore. It is diverse and delicious, and there are numerous dining options from many different countries around the world. For example, Singapore has food from Japan, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and India. The food is not just in restaurants in a specific country or just in a specific city in the country. For example, there's Thai street food in Little India and Japanese food in Chinatown. That means you can have a variety of different tastes when visiting one place.
There are a few different things about doing something for the very first time that make it difficult and challenging. It's a mixture of emotions that are hard to explain, but it can be hard to have courage when you are so worried about being judged. Hence, making it easy and considering it as a great opportunity to learn and to explore things outside, after the first time, things seem better and easier because now I know what to expect.
My time in Singapore went smoothly and I met a few friends who were very nice to me. I found that by simply being patient and open-minded, things often got better. It was also important for me to find ways to feel grounded in my new home, which ultimately helped me adjust more quickly to the new environment.
I've learned to become independent after working overseas for years, and also been able to financially support my family through these years. Being abroad for years has taught me to be resilient and resourceful in unfamiliar places, which will make me more prepared to face the unknown in the future.
Even though I moved to other countries later, Singapore has left an indelible mark on my heart. β€οΈ
This is my entry for WE83 post topics: Your first time, hosted by @galenkp. When I read the topic a few hours ago and I can't wait to write about "my first time" right away. I believe that we have many stories, great memories, and experiences to look back on our very first time to do something new, to meet someone special, or travel to another country. :) I'd love to invite @dora381 @kimloan @sunnyvo @winnietran @crazy-bee to share your firsts.. β€οΈ Looking forward to reading your stories
