GEM booklet (view).pdf

7/30/2019 GEM booklet (view).pdf

1/6

https://www.facebook.com/gemstudentclub


2/6

GEM Student Club

Who are we?

Previously known as the Global Immersion Programme (GIP) Student Club, our club has recently

expanded to include participants in all student exchange programmes under GEM Discoverer and

GEM Explorer. Further information on exchange programmes offered in NTU may be found online

at NTU Global Programmes: http://global.ntu.edu.sg/global/Pages/gdp.aspx

What do we do?

GEM Club aims to be a touch-point for all outward-bound and returning exchange students by:

- Providing opportunities for students heading to the same region to meet locally prior to going for

exchange

- Facilitating information sharing by students who have returned from overseas exchange

How can you participate?

Outward-bound students

Outward bound students are welcomed to attend our upcoming tea session to obtain mutual con-

tacts and meet potential travel companions. Student coordinators will also be on hand to facilitate

ice-breaking and provide information.

Returning students

Returning students are encouraged to join GEM Club as committee members. By doing so, they will

have the opportunity to organize future events that promote student exchange in NTU, while get-

ting to know other exchange students. They can also volunteer on an ad-hoc basis for specific

events held throughout the year. Returning students are eligible to participate in the I Travel, I

Eat, I Shoot Photo Competition to win attractive prizes! Look out for the competition details fur-

ther in this booklet.

*Updated information regarding our activities and photo competition will be available online on the

GEM Club Facebook page.

1

Packed for a trip overseas, but your luggage weighs a ton? Many travelers face th

question: What and how much should I bring with me? Heres a tip or two, based on o

perience (and some extra information gleaned off the web), that we hope you will find u

you are faced with the dilemma of choosing between your favorite book and a pair of e

While were at that, we thought itd be helpful to include some safety and security tips a

ing to a foreign land can be intimidating, so being prepared would put some of your fears

1. Pack according to the weather and climate of the your destination.

Research thoroughly on the climate of the country you are visiting what season will it be

are staying there? If you are leaving in January for a cold place, we presume you would

freeze up like an ice popsicle. So leave that extra singlet and shorts at home! You can a

new clothes for spring or summer when the weather turns warmer. If youre going to a p

it will gradually transit into autumn and winter, then bring sufficient jackets and sweate

can wear, but dont bother stuffing those thick down jackets into your luggage. Chance

wont need them until few months later. Plus, you can always buy these warm winter clo

you are at your host countryits usually cheaper, and there will be more variety to choo

2. Small bottles often do the trick for toiletries.

Invest in travel packs or clear/see through bottles that comply with airlines carry -on lucies. Instead of lugging a big bottle of shampoo around in your luggage, you could fil l se

bottles with the stuff you need, and refill them when you run out. These small bottles w

in handy too if you are going for short weekend trips!

Tips & Tricks for the road


3/6

3. Zip everything in!

Divide your clothing and pack them into ziplock plastic bags (i.e. underwear, shoes, T-shirts, one

bag for each type). Firstly, compressing the clothing creates more space when air is squeezed out;

secondly, it makes life easier if you need to take something out of your luggage instead of having

everything tumble out, you can take the plastic bag you need and keep some private items away

other peoples prying eyes. Remember to keep the bags and reuse them for future travels!

4. Keep important items separate.

Try to split up your valuables (credit cards, cash, etc.) in different compartments and pockets, so

that you wont lose everything at one go. If you have pockets, always have a bit of cash stuffed in

them for emergencies you could also use the cash to pay for small items without taking out and

exposing your wallet to potential pickpockets.

5. Save an electronic copy of all important information.

Before you leave for your trip, its best to scan your documents (passport, tickets, acceptance letter

from your host university, etc.) and send it to your own e-mail. In the event you lose something,

you can always access your e-mail to print it out again. If you need a replacement passport, it

would also speed things up if you have a copy of it to show the authorities. If youre carrying credit

cards, you might want to save the banks contact information, in case you need to cancel the cards

right away. Also, having the contact information of your host universities and next-of-kin in your e-

mail will be useful.

6. Vigilant, vigilant.

Be alert and aware of the surroundings as you explore new places. Keep an eye (or best, a hold)

on your belongings, especially in areas like trains/bus stations and tourist attractions, where people

with swift hands are likely to take action. Be discreet when taking items out of your bag, you

wouldnt want others to know exactly what things you have in your bag. If you need to consult

maps, choose a brightly-lit place where you can sit down, or have your back against a wall, so thatthere wouldnt be anyone sneaking up to you.

With all these tips in mind, we hope you are feeling more confident about embarking on your trip.

All the best on your exchange!

3

If you have been offered an exchange placement a

it, great! After the flurry of applications and packi

trip, all thats left for you to do is to get into the ri

for the exchange experience. For many students, t

the first time they will spend such a long period of time far away from home. Hence, m

ration is just as important as having your bags packed and travel information handy.

Going on student exchange is not just an easy way to clear as many academic un

ble, or an excuse for a long holiday. Asking yourself what you hope to achieve through

ence and setting personal goals will help steer the decisions you need to make while a

will gear you towards greater personal growth and cultivation of friendships that will las

the memories of your trip have faded.

One of the keys to a unique experience is to be more than a casual tourist. It pos

know local students and familiarize yourself with the social customs and history of the c

are visiting. This will greatly enrich your appreciation of the places and local practices y

Besides that, having an open mind to understand the value systems of different culture

the effect of culture shock and help you adapt better to your new environment.

The great thing about being on student exchange is getting to live with an intern

dent community. Instead of sticking to your own clique all the time, make an intentio

befriend students from other nationalities. Sharing food from your own country i s a fun

mention delicious) way to make new friends. A few useful tips include brushing up on s

home-flavoured recipes and bringing souvenirs from home as gifts. Interesting facts

own country can also be good conversation starters and will be helpful for cultural prese

Student exchange is also an opportunity for you to develop life skills such as bud

communicating well with others. You will most l ikely have to share accommodation and

plans with other students, hence learning to compromise is essential for an enjoyable sta

a foreign country may cause students from the same university or country to rely mo

other. This can lead to lasting bonds of friendship but can also cause a greater intensity

faced. No matter what, remember to maintain a positive attitude and constantly keep in

family members back home.

Getting the most out of your student excha


4/6

In conclusion, having clear goals will enable you to have a successful exchange programme.

Though you may initially feel uncomfortable about being outside of your comfort zone, the adap-

tation process will cause you to mature as a person. With an outwardly focused attitude that is

receptive to learning new things, student exchange will prove to be one of the most enriching

experiences of your life.

I Travel, I Eat, I Shoot Photo Competition

GEM Explorer/Discoverer participants for May 2012 - April 2013 are eligible to participate in this

photo competition. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes are up for grabs in each of the two categories below.

Up to 10 consolation prizes will also be given away for shortlisted photos. So hesitate no longer

and submit your entries from 11 March - 7 April 2013!

Category 1: General

Submit a photographic shot of you or you and your friends in a setting that best encapsulates

My most defining moment in my overseas program in your host country. Provide a short de-

scription (50 words max) of the place and your feelings at that moment.

Category 2: Food

Submit a photo that can best represent the food culture in the host universitys country. It would

be good to have you and your friends in the photo along with food. Provide a short description

(50 words max) of the place and your feelings at that moment. An additional short description of

the food needs to be provided.

Submission details:

Each participant is allowed to submit a maximum of 1 photo for each category. Participants are to

send their photos and captions to [email protected], addressing the subject titlein the following format GEM_Overseas Program_Overseas City_Name_Matriculation No. For ex-

ample: GEM_Discoverer Work & Study_Shanghai_Selene Tan_U1234567Z

More details at the GEM Club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gemstudentclub

5

Perhaps the most unforgettable recollection of my exchange to China would be the timthe heights of Mt. Tai in the province Shandong. It was part of a field trip organized by

ternational Relations Office and it was eye-opening to see other regions in China beyon

that we resided in. If you thought scaling the Great Wall of China was a great feat, the e

in comparison to the intense cardio expended at Mt. Tai. With its highest point some

metres above sea level, me and my fellow Singaporean friends painstakingly inched to

destination, taking frequent rests along the way to soak in the sights and sounds of

landscape. What struck me the most would probably be the amazing physical threshold

nese people; there were local old folks climbing up with ease, and even sedan services u

provided by middle-aged men, moving nimbly up the steep and rocky pathway. Conclud

venture was the equally treacherous journey back down and a bout of near-paralysis ancramps for the rest of the week. Nonetheless, this journey truly allowed me to appr

beauty of the Chinese landscape and scenery and it also marked my first, and probably

attempting to scale a mountain.

Leon Lim, Peking University, Beijing, China, INSTEP

Breathtaking scenery, bizarre sights and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities were all part and

what NTU students experienced on their exchange programmes. Some of their best reme

stories are shared below...

Exchange Highlights


5/6

Exchange Highlights

The most memorable experience I had for my ex-

change was a trek in Iceland. I remember running

across volcano fields as half frozen hails stones

grazed my lips. The mosses on the ground were

dirty green and sank like quicksand with every step

I took. I had a near death experience when the soil

near the edge of a cliff eroded away without warn-

ing. The peak of the trek came with natural volcano

springs where I soaked my cold feet in the warmth

of Icelands most amazing wonders. The scene was

so picturesque and unique.

Lim Wei Shan, Royal Institute of Technology, INSTEP

During my exchange to Troyes,

France, all of us went to the lakes of

the Fort dOrient, a protected area of

woodlands and lakes in the Cham-

pagne-Ardenne region. We tried many

water sports like canoeing, catamaran

sailboats and a team rowing sport

which is like dragon-boating, except

the oars are made of much heavier

wooden logs! We also managed to have a go at other sports like ball trap and a traditional France

ball game called Ptanque. The summer weather was really cool and we laid around leisurely on

the catamaran sailboats enjoying the breeze before ending the evening with a BBQ!

Tan Zhenyang, University of Technology of Troyes, GSS

7

"During my exchange in Illinois, USA, me

and two other friends made a spontaneous

decision to head out of school to a nearby

airfield for skydiving. The airfield was ex-

tremely small and dubious, but we already

paid the down payment so we had to go

through with it. The planes were also visibly

worn out; I remember when I was in the

plane, it couldn't start after a few ignitions

so we had to literally rub the plane with our palms to warm it up sufficiently so that the

would start running. As the plane climbed to 14000 feet (my drop-off point), I looked do

the plane and just gave up on life. Everything was already out of my control. Obvious

are no words to describe the experience. I can assure you that nothing would superch

with so much adrenaline in your life. Nothing. Life begins when you step out of your

zone, so just do it (at your own risk)."

Yeh Sing Hwa, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, INSTEP AY11/12

"It was Halloween and we were roaming the

London with a few hours to spare before n

heard a commotion further up the streets a

cided to take a look. To my 'horror', a horde o

were marching towards us with flailing loose

bloody intestines. They 'attacked' pedestrian

torists and went into shops along the street

the patrons. It was an amazing scene. I succ

their attacks and my last living moment was

before I was zombified."

Cheong Yaowen, University of Strathclyde, INSTEP

Exchange Highlights


6/6

If you are traveling on a tight budget, cooking your own meals at backpackers hostels or in

student dormitories where you live is a good way to save money. Eggs are tasty, easy to cook

and available at any decent supermarket, so here are some recipes on how to make your meals

more egg-citing!

Quick Recipes

French Toast Recipe

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

4 eggs

2/3 cup milk

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

8 thick slices of 2-day-old bread, better if slightly stale

Butter

Maple syrup

Optional

2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest1/4 cup Triple Sec(orange-flavoured liqueur)

Fresh berries

METHOD

1. Beat eggs, milk, and cinnamon together. If using, add orange zest and/

or Triple Sec. Whisk until well blended. Pour into a shallow bowl.

2. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, allowing bread to soak up

some of the mixture. Melt some butter (or use vegetable oil) over a large

skillet on medium high heat. Add as many slices of bread onto the skillet as

will fit at a time. Fry until brown on both sides, flipping the bread when

necessary.

3. Serve hot with butter, maple syrup, and if available, fresh berries.

Yield: Serves 4.

Recipe adapted from Simply Recipes, http://www.simplyrecipes.com/

9

Classic Omelette

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Cooking time: 2 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 large eggs

Pinch salt and pepper

1 tsp cold water

1 tsp oil

METHOD

1. Gently beat the eggs together with salt, pepper and a teaspoon of cold wat

2. Warm a medium frying pan over a high heat and coat with some oil.

3. Pour the egg mixture into the centre of the pan and cook over a high heat

2 minutes.

4. As the egg begins to set, use a spatula to push the set egg towards the om

lette centre. Continue this action until the entire egg mixture is set. Cook the

omelette for another minute, then loosen the edges with a spatula and fold th

omelette in half.

5. Tilt the pan and slide the omelette onto a warm plate and serve immediate

its own or with a crisp green salad.

Micro Tip: You can also make omelettes in the microwave. Beat the eggs, wa

salt and pepper. Place 1 tbsp of butter in an 18cm non-metallic pie dish and m

in the microwave on High for 30 seconds. Pour in the egg mixture, stand pie d

on an upturned plate in the microwave and cook on MEDIUM-HIGH for 1 minu

Use fork to draw the outside of the cooked egg into the centre of the dish and

crowave on MEDIUM for a further 2 minutes. Stand for 1 minute before servin

Before your omelette is set, add your favourite filling such as cheese, ham, m

rooms, tomatoes or even chicken tikka.

Yield: Serves 1.

Recipe adapted from http://www.eggrecipes.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_sechttp://www.simplyrecipes.com/http://www.simplyrecipes.com/http://www.eggrecipes.co.uk/http://www.eggrecipes.co.uk/http://www.simplyrecipes.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_sec

GEM booklet (view).pdf

Documents

Transcript of GEM booklet (view).pdf