Appreciate Post

Hi everyone ! Since I am the admin of this blog, I would like to take this opportunity to thanked everyone. Like literally everyone each and ever single one of you for making this whole 2 weeks trip a really memorable one for me. We've been through a lot of ups and downs (like for real even the bus ride goes up and down haha) and it makes our friendship even stronger. To think of it, we've been together for 1 month including both inbound and outbound.

When i first accepted the TFI SCALE meeting, i really didnt expect anything other than just the free outbound trip to Bali hahah! I mean cmon, i'm not the only one right ? I am sure its the same for everyone hahah! Remember during our first meeting when we had to introduce ourself? We were so awkward with each other. And then came the second meeting where we each had to bring something that is important to us. After that session, we sort of learn a little bit more about each other.

Next up, the first day we had to fetch the indonesian students. It was something new for most of us even myself. I remember having a hard time managing the large number of students but hey thanks to those who were there, it made things easier.

We went through alot during the inbound trip. Making sure the indonesian students feel comfortable being here, helping them to our best abilities, even making the school tour fun for them and not to forget spending time with them even after the schedule and during weekends! I definitely miss all those memories we've made.

After the inbound trip, we went back to our normal lives with school, exams, work & performance for some of us. But nonetheless, it didnt actually stop our friendship. We still smile when we bumped into each other, have meetups,go for lunch together. We didnt become strangers.

Lastly, our outbound trip. I remember seeing each and everyone of you at the airport after 5 months & honestly i was really really happy. Like finally we are all coming together after 5 months! This trip makes us all even more closer to each other. Singing in the bus together, carrying each others luggage, dragging our heavy bags to the so far room at Lake Toba, eating together, groceries shopping, open corridor concept room where we just went in to each others room haha & of course not to forget complaining about the wifi together ! Gosh, i will definitely miss every single thing that we did.

Thank you guys for making this trip a memorable one despite the ups and downs and the stress we faced. I hope that our friendship doesnt end here. It goes all the way and that it will be just like after the inbound where we didnt become strangers. And if there is a chance again, i will want to go through all this again with you guys. It was a worthwhile journey. Not to forget, thank you to our two mom, Ms Candace & Ms Marchel, thank you for trusting us , taking care of us, ensuring what we needed is there and lastly for all your hardwork. Best facilitator award goes to the both of you!

Okay that's it for my appreciation post haha. I didnt expect it to be this long but you guys deserve this. Thank you once again, i love you guys & till we meet again soon :)

- Suzy

Day 14

3rd April 2018. It was finally the D-day where the TFI Scholars packed up and ready to fly back home to Singapore. We woke up at 7 am to pack last minute items into our luggage and also took our time getting ready before heading down for breakfast at 8.30 am.

After Breakfast, all of us went to pick up our cakes which we ordered from our tour guide and check out from the hotel before getting on the bus.

Once we reached Kualanamu International Airport/ Medan, we had to go through a luggage check. Soon we went to check in our luggage before entering the departure hall. To our Surprise, we got a chance to meet the students from Bandung before their flight. 

Finally, we manage to get on our flight to Jakarta which after 2 hours we landed safely despite the turbulence. 

We had a 2 hour transit in Jarkata which was reduced to an hour due to bag check and immigration check. However, we had time to look around and do some last shopping before coming back to Singapore. We can’t return empty handed, now can we?

And Finally we landed back home, where we belong, where we keep our heart and soul. Thus our Journey had finally come to an end. It was an amazing educational 2 week trip to Medan, Lake Toba and Brastagi. We had learn to be appreciative of what we had and open our eyes to what is happening outside of Singapore. We learned a new culture and met new smiling faces on the trip which this programme and unforgettable one. Thank you to everyone who made this happen. TFI SCALE till we meet again!

Day 13

2 April 2018

Today is a day that will be filled with happy yet emotional moments . It is finally the formal  presentation day that we all have been waiting for and it will be the day where we Singaporean students would say goodbye to the Indonesian students, indicating the end of this exchange programme .

We started our day with an early breakfast as we need to set off early to Medan Tourism Polytechnic for the preparation of our presentation . As we reached Medan Tourism Polytechnic , all the various teams headed to the Samosir Ballroom to get ready for the final presentation . We started presentation according to Team 1 to consecutive teams . Every team and presenter presented each of their own presentation with a nervous heart and gave it all out with one last shot . In between presentations, there were speeches given by Mr James Lee, Republic Polytechnic SOH director and one of the committee members of the Medan Tourism Authority Board . Constitutive feedbacks of our presentations were given by various authorities and teachers from different polytechnics .

About 12 plus in the afternoon, we had a hearty lunch at Medan Tourism Polytechnic . Following on, all of us rushed to changed into our performance costume after lunch . The dress code of red and white embodies the song that we are all dancing to . It is then followed by the official closing ceremony .  Before our performance , it started with a speech given by one representative from Singapore and Indonesian side to express our heartfelt gratitude for the whole of this exchange programme , outbound and inbound . Starting of the performance consists of the collaboration of our Singaporean and Indonesian students singing to ‘Attention ‘ by Charlie Puth as a dedication to our fellow mates . It was followed by performances by our Singaporean and Indonesian students . We then had an emotional and grateful session with all students hugging and crying as this programme came to an end . All of us cannot bear to part with each other with our heavy hearts . However , we were still able to spend our evening with the Indonesian students by going shopping with them at Sun Plaza .

We all officially parted ways saying our heavy goodbyes and farewells , promising to each other that we will meet again . For dinner , we went to a restaurant at a place which is secluded . Today was a day that we will always remember the memories that we all forged together and the times that we spent together which is irreplaceable . We ended off today happily as we carry our hearts nicely with the memories engraved in our memories .

Day 12

Time really flies with joys and laughters. In a blink of an eye, we’ve reached the 12th day of our journey, the third last day before our departure back to Singapore.

Today, the 1st of April, we had a good start for the month by having activities such as hotel visit, convention centre visit, city tour and our final dance practice.

After our breakfast in the morning, we had our first activity of hotel visit. The chief executive of the hotel has done a very good job by introducing to us the different facilities within the hotel and has given us detailed explanation on each and every facility. For example, the capacity of the room, the price range for it and the different services they offer. It’s a pity that we didn’t get the chance to visit the meeting room.

In the afternoon, after our hotel visit, we headed to Tiara Convention Centre and learned about the different types of rooms it offers such as U-shaped rooms, classrooms, ballrooms and cocktail. It’s really shocking for us when we found out that the founder of the convention centre is a 24 years old young man! Not does the convention centre only provide different types of conference rooms, it also has a five-star supermarket right under it! Our students had about half an hour’s time to do some shopping before going for the city tour. 

Museum Negri is our next stopped. We learned about the culture of the place and the histories behind it. Including the heroes who fought for their land. Maimun palace is our last station of the day. The palace was built by the Dutch in 1888. It’s a popular attraction due to its beautiful and unique interior design, it’s also a combination of the Malay cultural heritage, Islamic and Indian architecture.

After all the visits, we went back to our hotel for our final dance practice before the actual performance on closing ceremony.

After all, let’s all look forward to tomorrow’s presentation and closing ceremony together with the Indonesian students!

Day 11

31st March 2018
Our second day in Berastagi started out on a slow morning. Breakfast was from 7am till 10.30am. Everyone was able to sleep in a little more before the presenters meet our facilitators for one round of practice. During which, we were criticised and had our work commented strictly due to the expectations of such a project.

In the afternoon, we had lunch in a local café in the city square of Berastagi. If there was one thing that was unique about this café was that it serves avocado juice with espresso shots on top. It was a weird drink but it was extremely delicious. You couldn’t taste the avocado that much as it is infused with the espresso shots.

After lunch, we made our way to the Golden Temple (Lumbini Natural Park, Berastagi) which is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. The temple stood out amongst the greenery fields as it was gold in colour.

After visiting the temple, we prepared ourselves for a two-and-a-half-hour road trip back to Medan. We were all sleeping in the bus as the ride was longer than expected due to the jam. We arrived back in our hotel by nightfall, with enough time to get plenty of rest.

Do stay up for our next blog ! :)

Day 10

30 march 2018
Starting our first day in Brastagi, the first place we head to is the traditional market. Imagine Singapore’s geylang market but outdoors, only one level? Yeap, here in Brastagi! Despite the scorching hot sun, we could still feel the cold breeze caressing our cheeks.

In the traditional market, there are many things sold there. The vegetables and fruits are fresh and are produce locally. Other than that, the butcher slaughter the animals such as chicken on the spot, making the meat fresh.

After visiting the traditional market, we head to Mount Gundaling, where we are able to see astonishing volcano scenery and whole view of the village. Opposite the active volcano was a mountain so it was 2 in 1 beautiful view!

Sheltered picnic areas are also provided, which are chargeable.

We then ended up the day with our dance practice, beating the cold weather of 18 degrees while admiring the sunset.

Stay tune for our Day 11 post :)

Day 9

29th March 2018. Today is the day we bid farewell to our stay at Lake Toba. Here is the last time we will be having our meals with this view.

Before starting our ride to Berastagi, our scholars presented their first round of their presentation. Three main topic covered are visitor experience, sustainable tourism and marketing campaigns.

After that, since we were rushing for time, we had our packet lunch at the hotel and proceeded to Pematang Purba which was a kingdom back then. Statue of Buffalo are seen around the kingdom. This animal represent humble, hard working and strong like a Buffalo. Some facts of the area are,  14 kings rule the kingdom.
The 1st king was a hunter before he became a king. He used birds gate to take the seeds and grow plants. 
King 12 rebuild the place.

After that, we proceed to Sipisopiso to admire the landscape. At the same time, snapping photos of the waterfall and the view.
Catching the last view of Lake Toba.

Proceeding on, travelled about 2 hours to the place where the refugees were lodging and our team gave some dry goods.

Finally, we reached our final destination of the day, our hotel at Brarastagi. Filling up our tummy with a meal.

Do stay tune for our day 10 blog !