Dalian Immersion Program
Chiok Jun Hua Ivan
Singapore Polytechnic
Diploma in Experience and Product Design
Chiok Jun Hua Ivan
Singapore Polytechnic
Diploma in Experience and Product Design
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Week 2, Day 11
Staring into the “colourful” stadium while holding on tightly to my camera and seating quietly in the crowded stadium, I can already feel the spirit of commitment in Dalian Polytechnic University, during the sports day event being organized by the students themselves. The unity was unexplainable. Cheering for one another and supporting each other. 3, 2, 1 as the firing of the horn pierces through the air while switching on the running shoes of the runners. Running participants ranges from tall to short, skinny to fat and probably even lectures too. The atmosphere in the sports stadium was constantly being tensed up as every race began while the supporters yelled and cheered hoping to create an imagination boost for that runner. Completing and doing their best in the race was their main while winning was as though a bonus.
Continuing… I shut my eyes and thought about it the entire day. Hardly did any word come out from my mouth during the visit to the food factory nor did I want to speak much to anyone. I wasn’t exactly up sad but was just in a confused situation. There was something in my mind bordering me. Something I wanted to share it out but just didn’t know how to say it out. I needed time to actually seat back and run through it personally while making a decision to what to do next. Today was the 11th day I am in Dalian. The visit to Dalian had indeed widened my scope of thinking. Thus I wanted to question myself to how can I personally do better? What can I do to see and dig deeper into the context of people and behaviors? How can I find more insights? Finally, how did it go wrong? Give me a day or so to think about it and I will get back to you guys again and I’m sure we can definitely do better. Without any fall backs, there will not be any improvements. We shall take this as a learning opportunity for us. All the best!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Week 2, Day 9+10
It was back to basic and back to class as everyone was preparing information, researches for presentations that were held on both Wednesday and Thursday. Attending gems classes while knowing more about the food delicacy in Dalian and the Olympic glory that Dalian participated in, during the Beijing Olympic 2008. Dalian is known for their fashion, beautiful ladies and hunks, buildings, shopping mails, food and finally the beautiful natural sight that is located almost every part of Dalian ranging from endless mountains to the blooming of trees and flowers that I can see outside the hostel window of mine. Dalian was in fact the first place which opens my eyes to so much more than what I first knew about the world. It was as though bringing the television programs out from its box into realization.
Besides having a close encounter with Dalian in Dalian, it had been a great and fruitful trip that I had already learn and see more then what I had initially expected. Everything went smoothly as I enjoyed most was the time spent with my course mates cooking and drinking together. I can say it was a great opportunity for forgiveness such as hatred, unhappiness and accepting each and everyone as whom they are. Respecting each other and trying to understand more for the other party.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Week 2, Day 8
Welcoming by the second week of the Dalian stay, I woke up with a brand new mind of mine hoping to venture more into Dalian. A slice of China filled with many hidden treasure pieces waiting for someone to discover it.
Continuing… The building was run down while the doors of the people aren’t closed up giving us (Rui Hon and I) an inviting approach to our first rural visit just about an approximate 30 min walk down from our hostel. At first sight, the little stretch of villages appeared to me only as a row of broken houses with vandalizing numbers written on the walls that was pretty badly destroyed while surrounded by the smell of poverty. But after coming close to the people and surrounding of the area, I realize I was totally wrong as my preconception blinded me for a second. In fact the place was beautiful. Much more beautiful and relaxing than any place I ever went to or stayed in. Every corner of the place excites me as I ventured deeper and even deeper, into the streets and home. Suddenly, the quite and silence street I was in, evoked my hearing as I started to listen while focusing on the environment and the little stuff happening around me. I can hear the soft chattering of the residence portraying the existence of the place. I can hear the yelling and laughter from the children which created life for the people. I can hear the speed of the moving of cars rubbing against the soil providing a route toward business. I can even hear and sense the wind pushing me forward, telling me that I should walk further.“Ni Hao (meaning “hi” in English)” the words that came out from a stranger which we came across with. This simple word that came out from a lady at her mid 40s immediately question myself to the replaying of the same situation over at Singapore a city so well developed. How often do we use the symbol of welcoming when a stranger visit us unexpectedly? Or. How often are we invited with the feeling of welcoming when a stranger enters the prohibited territories of our home without any notice? My answer “never” that lead streams of guiltiness circulating through my body as I knew that it was time to step out from the Singaporean shell I was in for the past many years. It was a need and it was now. Thanks to the simple treasure key of “ni hao” that was discovered within the short experience of the rural village in Dalian.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Week 1, Day 6+7
Finally, I met up with our buddies on 25Apr while inviting Glenn, DXPD and Yikai, DXPD to join us (Rui Hon, DXPD, Ezann, DID, Adeline, DID, Lopaz, DID and I, DXPD). We had an enjoyable day of hell fun as we visited places that we couldn’t on 24Apr 2009 due to the heavy downpour (Excluding the Gui Puo). We had a great time as we joked and bullied each on the way. We even visited the KTV (karaoke) which we went crazy singing our throat out. The invisible barrier seems to vanish as we final stopped and started to know each others more into individual habits while knowing who can be easily bullied! Similarity between us started to appear as we got to know each other better and better even if it was just the first outing. Teenagers do really think alike one way or another!
Continuing… One week had past and I am slowing getting to know more and more towards Dalian. It is a developing city that is constantly changing and I could really see potential in the city in just a few years later. Looking at the never ending improvement of infrastructure such as the roads and high rise buildings all around the city Dalian is definitely at the fast lane towards developments. However, roads may be a little crazy at times as cars do not stop for passengers even if it was green. Human have to be always 100% alert while crossing the road as the heavy traffic gives no chance for mistakes. The notorious horning and cutting of lanes on the traffic is part and puzzle of the people daily life as the city does not stop and fear cannot be taken as an excuse to the survival in Dalian.