Graduation Trippin'

Written by Genevieve Jeffrey

So it's your last semester, and graduation looms, a huge grey cloud signaling your passing from a carefree, indulgent student, into the ‘real' world. The world where deadlines really do exist and where you will have to confront the pressure of climbing up the social ladder and having a successful career. Well, you could always stay on to do your masters and prolong your school life for just a little longer or you could...go on a graduation trip!         A vacation marking the end of school life and entry into the working world is a fantastic idea to celebrate one's graduation!         An increasing number of Singaporean graduates are jumping on the bandwagon, and following what our counterparts in the United States and Europe are doing. While a rare few venture to more faraway and exotic locations, trips undertaken by Singaporean graduates usually entail a short trip to a nearby country. This is certainly not the case in the United States and Europe as graduation trips consist of backpacking around for a couple of months and can last for up to two years.         While this can be expensive and as ‘kiasu' Singaporeans, we might feel apprehensive about wasting precious time travelling instead of joining the rat race, climbing the corporate ladder and adding a few more points into our resume, a well planned graduation trip can really be refreshing after spending approximately 17 years of our routine time-table planned lives buried under stacks of books.         Moreover, it can open our minds to new cultures and ways of thinking, provide us with enriching experiences and equip us with new skills. These benefits can be hard to dredge up from a three day shopping and eating trip to Bangkok, though even that has its merits! If anything, it's an excuse to pack up and leave our sunny little island for a spot of fun with your friends. What else can one ask for?         However, there are a few important details to settle before making the decision to embark on your own graduation adventure.         First and foremost, remember that no two people have the same expectation regarding their graduation trip and one would have to establish the kind of an experience one is looking for. The next thing then is to find people with whom one would want to share those experiences with. Your company determines the kind of trip you will have. A person who loves hiding under umbrellas in sunny Singapore for fear of turning a wee shade darker would definitely not enjoy a beach retreat.         Lastly, financial issues would have to be considered seriously. Why do you think there are student concessions on public transports and student meals at Macdonald's anyway? For the poor student who has yet to earn a steady income to support him/herself, of course!         All these are extremely important in the creation of a meaningful experience. Remember once one begins the foray into the corporate world, there will no longer be any long school holidays that can be taken advantage of. Instead, any opportunity for an escapade would depend on the amount and availability of leave one has, therefore, cherish these last few moments of freedom before descending into the gloom and drudgery that the working world promises.         Let us explore the options available so that you can decide upon the type of experience you would want to settle on. This trip can be structured as a holiday where you sightsee and explore new locations and cultures with your friends which is a new experience, since it differs from your usual family holiday. With people of the same age group as travel buddies, travelling can be better tailored to suit your interests.         Backpacking, mountain climbing or white water rafting should whet the appetites of those who are adventurous at heart. Certainly you cannot expect dad and mum to agree to climbing a mountain (unless they are avid rock climbers). Our friendly neighbour Malaysia offers these exciting options that are sure to get your blood pumping.         If it's history and architecture that interests you, Europe would be an excellent choice as it is rich in culture and history. The array of Gothic cathedrals and museums would definitely appeal to those who have an eye for and appreciate beauty. What better place to immerse oneself in a gorgeous built atmosphere with awe-inspiring structures and art work than Europe?         If all the stress of studying has reduced you to being in a constant state of nervousness, a relaxing holiday spent vegetating and basically doing nothing would be idyllic.         A spa holiday where your days are spent in a luxurious resort by the sea getting your muscles kneaded to the roar of the waves and meditating on the beauty of the scenery can be indulged in Bali or Thailand; places close to home where the air tickets are not over four digits.         For the student who is more willing to splurge on a vacation, such peaceful escapes are not just limited to neighbouring Asian countries. They can be found throughout the world as our earth still has spots of beauty untouched by man. For those itching to explore a location further from home, places like Australia, Ireland, Nepal or New Zealand would be fantastic to take in the natural, picturesque beauty of our world.         Another alternative to the traditional holiday model would involve getting your hands dirty and diving into novel experiences that have the potential to change your life forever.         From helping disadvantaged people to build houses in flood ravaged villages in Indonesia and India to teaching village children English in Russia, or doing an internship in a foreign country; these experiences impart first hand experiences and aim to develop the person holistically. Even learning to cook at Le Cordon Bleu in France is an option for those seeking learning experiences. For the animal lover, a farm stay in Australia will be a valuable experience.         The skills that such ‘working' trips offer are numerous and infinitely valuable. Not only do you get the direct experience while doing an activity that you enjoy, you get the chance to immerse yourself in a foreign culture and explore the country.         You would also be more independent living by yourself and being responsible for your personal affair. Some places may not even have a proper toilet and thus, highlights your privilege in Singapore where locals write in to the newspapers to complain about dirty toilets. Traveling to these places and living amongst the disadvantaged also opens up wells of compassion and changes our narcissistic ways once we understand how other people can live with little yet be so happy.         The type of experiences you have would depend mainly on your attitude and your travelling companions. As cliche as it may sound, a positive attitude would serve you well as you decide to embark on your trip. Even a trip to Sentosa can be better than exploring Egypt if you make the most of what you have, let loose and have fun.         Another important aspect that we have mentioned earlier would be the amount spent on the trip. Budget wisely and plan within your means to have a comfortable trip so you can fully enjoy yourself. Sentosa may be too close and Egypt too far, but you can compromise and settle on somewhere in between like exploring the great outback, Australia.         Weigh the options carefully factoring in interests and budget. Going somewhere nearer may mean you can stay longer but a far off location might eat a large part of your budget.         On the other hand, if you have your heart set on The North Pole, then go if you are willing to compromise on other things. It really depends on your temperament. If all else fails, you can always fall back on your parents for some cold hard cash. Remember, you could always try pleading with puppy eyes or promise to pay them back even if you have to forgo lunch.         At the end of the day, it is really the experience that you are after, so plan it properly. For holiday centered trips, visit Contiki.com as they specialize in holidays for 18-35 year olds and you can meet new like-minded people for some adventure. If you are interested in doing something meaningful on your trip, visit worldvolunteers.org for information about opportunities available for developmental work and a trip with meaning. hooked Pictures courtesy of: http://www.frenchbeachretreats.com/images/FBRhouse6.jpg www.imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/ISI/279279 www.library.thinkquest.org/11114/pictures/gothic1.gif http://www.orphancry.org/images/Site%20images/summer%2005%20023.jpg Comments Write Comment Name: Guest Title: Comment:

 

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