R & R Experience

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The rest and recreation starts just after we finish our teaching and exhibition.

Early in the morning, we travelled to Cheng Du with a bus prepared by the NeiJiang Youth Organization. That was a 3 hours journey. It’s already noon when we reach Cheng Du. We left our main luggage in the hotel, and headed towards Emei city. We had our lunch there. It was already 3pm while we start to go up Mount Emei. The bus driver wasn’t very friendly. However we enjoyed ourselves in the journey to “Lei Dong Pin”, where we take cable car to get to the very top of Mount Emei. The scene along the road was awesome! We experienced the beauty of the nature. Halfway along the journey, we start to see snow beside the road. The feeling of excitement just rush up to our mind. Yes! Its snow!!! The bus driver stopped the bus to chain up the wheels, while everyone of just alight to enjoy the snow. Later we continued our journey and finally we reach “Lei Dong Pin” at around 4pm. The bus driver suggested us to stay a night at the hotel before going up to the very top of Mount Emei, “Jin Ding”. The reason was it will be very cold up there and probably foreigners like us won’t stand the coldness.

We took his advice, and after check in, we went for a walk around the hotel. Every one of us felt so excited when we realize that we could have an hour free skiing at the skiing station beside. We went to the skiing station, but it was closed. We then took lots of pictures there, and played a snow fight there. It was so fun! That night we had our dinner in the hotel, and just went asleep.

The next day, the hotel worker woke us up at 6am telling us that we might have a chance to see sunrise at the cable car station. Some of us quickly dressed up and went up to the cable car station. We waited and waited, but sunrise never happen, probably the fog was too thick, until we couldn’t enjoy that very precious moment. With disappointment, we went back to the hotel and wake up the others. Then together, we went skiing. That was the very first time experience for most of our team members, but everyone enjoyed themselves. Who knows? Maybe this is the only time we ski in our lifetime!

After an hour, everyone went back to the hotel and checked out. Then, we head towards the cable car station. There was a long queue In the station, but eventually we reached the top also. There were lesser fog at the top, and the scene there is even more attractive. We finally saw that very big statue of Buddha. We were stunned by that statue. How could human even possible to build such big statue when the only way to come up here is by cable car or by climbing? We visited the three temples up there, which is known to be built using bronze, silver and gold respectively. That gold temple is known as “Jin Ding”. It really looks like some kind of building in palace. Of course, we took numerous photos up there.

After an hour, we gather and went down to Emei City. By the time we reach Emei City, it was already 6pm. Quickly we find ourselves a hotel, check in, settle down, and we go for food! There was a street selling lots of variety of nice food. We walk around the city, and visited some street stalls, to get some cheap, nice stuff, until when we feel tired, we went back to our hotel, and go asleep.

The next day, we took 2 vans and head to Le Shan. We climb up all the way to see the big LeShan Buddha. Along the road, we visited a temple nearby. There were 500 hundred of “LoHan” statue inside. We also visited a village along the road, called “Yu Cun”. They sell lots of food and beautiful souvenirs there. However due to time constrain, we had to go along and miss the nice food. After a while, we finally see the big LeShan Buddha. We listened to the tour guide there and learn some history of this Buddha statue.

After we took enough photos, we went down and head towards Cheng Du, where we will spend our very last night there. We reach Cheng Du at around 4pm. After settling down, we hunt for food again! (Why always food?) Everyone of us went for a walk around in the big city. We bought quite a lot of souvenirs.

That very last night, we all gathered in one room, and had a party. We fool around as the world ends tomorrow. In the end everyone felt so tired and start to fall asleep. But that was already late at night. Or perhaps I should say, early in the next morning.

That morning we went to “Zhu Ge Liang”’s temple. It was built to remember one great general in the China during the war of 3 kingdoms. We learnt a lot of history there. Later we went to a famous street beside the temple, which is named “Jing Li”. Its famous for tradition food, and games. We really enjoyed our time there. Eventually we had to leave at noon. We rush our very last minute to get our last souvenirs in Cheng Du, and headed to the airport on 4pm. We know, we will miss this place, we will miss this trip.

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Experience with Science Exhibition

Everyday, we taught in different school. After lunch, we carried out a science exhibition in the respective primary school. We displayed 6 different exhibitions, such as Milk, Volcano, Circuit, Illusions, Static, and Rocket.

Initially, the school will gather all students at the assembly yard. Each I.C. from every exhibition came up to the stage to describe about their exhibition in cartoon form. This is to attract attention of the primary students, for example, the milk exhibition. Wei Soung showed a paper with a few roll of cows. He explained that there are many bonding between molecules in the milk just like the few cows holding hands. As with the different dyes that are to drip onto the milk, it is like wearing the cows with different kinds of colors. In order to carry out the exhibition, ear bud with soap is dipped into the milk, soap break the bonding between the molecules, and this caused the color on the milk expanded. This incident can be explained as the evil soap monster bitten the cow hands, the cows have to release their hands and run to escape from the evil monster. Using this way, children can understand the scientific reaction in an easier manner.

After presentation from all I.C., we went back to the assigned booth and set up the exhibits. Students were to visit all the exhibits group by group. At each exhibit, students carried out the experiment by themselves. This can help them understand it better. They read the detailed explanation displayed, and asked us questions to clear the doubts in mind. At the same time, there were teachers walking controlling the crowd, some teachers also asked us for the explanation so they also understand and helped us to explain to more students.

While all exhibitions were going on, there was a most popular exhibition going on its own periodic. That is the Rocket Launcher. It is a gas pump rocket. Water filled inside the rocket. Rocket was always launched in the direction away from the crowd. We kept clear the place where the rocket might land. Keng Fei pumped gas into the rocket to increase the gas pressure in it. When release d it, the rocket can fly vertically upward and landed on the 5th floor building roof. This exhibition created a gigantic “WOW” effect. Students were so shocked seeing the rocket flied so high. It got full attention from students to see the every rocket launching. They even screamed to help us countdown for the launching. When counting down, students kept getting excited and stand at the dangerous position. We took all safety factors to ensure the students’ safety.

Volcano explained about the reaction between acid and base, which we used brown vinegar and soda powder. This reaction produced a lot of brown color bubbly liquid which represent its lava. Circuit exhibition used the alarm theory. Students were to use the handle with a circular head to pass through a set of bent wire. The circular should not touch the wire, or else the alarm will sound. Static is also a fun experiment. We used a balloon to rub onto the student’s hair. Then, we used the charged balloon to pull the drinking can. Students were also given chances to try rubbing the balloon themselves on their head to carry out this experiment. About the Illusions, we have members explaining all things that students can see from the pictures. Students got excited when they failed to see everything from the pictures.

After the science exhibition, students will rush to us for signature. They were so excited to see us. They respect us very much. So, we gave them our signature and words of encouragement hoping it will help they will put more effort in studies.

Our Final Night in Nei Jiang

Our final night in Nei Jiang began after a delightful and extremely satisfying meal.

We were then led to one of the school’s main assembly areas. When we had left that same assembly area prior to dinner it was pretty much plain looking and nothing out of the ordinary. However upon returning for the second time, there was a remarkable change. There were streams of colourful and shiny papers linked up from one end of the area to the other. There was also a mini-stage set up surrounded by chairs. A PA system was also set up and the main highlight; there was a roaring bonfire right in the middle of the assembly area, spreading warmth and a certain cheerful glow to all present.

The night’s events started with an impromptu sing-a-long session. A group of teachers started the ball rolling and lobbed a challenge across, asking the other side to continue singing another song starting with the one word they had ended on. Back and forth this volley went, with each side trying to out-guess the other group.

This was then followed by several performances by the teachers and students of the various schools. A performance worth mentioning was one where a group of teachers performed a Tibetan cultural dance complete with the traditional costumes and make up to boot. The team from NTU also sang several songs and taught those present a ‘Friendship Dance’.
However it was not all fun and games throughout the Farewell Night. There was a session where each of the members from NTU were attached to students from a not too well off group. The students exchanged some gifts and left us their addresses. The concept was that each of one of NTU students would ‘adopt’ one of the local students and in the future donate money for their education.

What followed was definitely the highlight of the night. All those present gathered around the bonfire and started to dance around the fire. It was explained that it was sort of a traditional dance and we went around and around the fire, dancing to a quickening beat and tune. We were also taught the ‘Rabbit Dance’, a hopping dance that a rabbit seems to do to escape from its hunters. Round and round we went around the fire, only stopping in the end due to sheer exhaustion.

We ended the night of by exchanging contact details with the teachers and students of Nei Jiang. We also took many photos of the night, which in my opinion were a poor cousin to the real experience.

It was definitely a great experience being immersed in such a colourful and welcoming culture. Memories of the farewell night and as well as of the previous 5 days in Nei Jiang would definitely be in a special part of their hearts for all the team members from NTU.

Teaching Experience in Secondary Schools

During our 10 days in China, we have thought in 4 secondary schools and high schools. The purpose of our teaching is to make English language interesting to students and also introduce the teacher different way of teaching. Our team has been divided into two teams which half of it will be teaching secondary and high schools and the other team will be teaching primary school. The 4 secondary and high schools we went are:

1. Nei Jiang City No. 8 Secondary School (内江市第八初中)
2. Nei Jiang City No. 9 High School (内江市第九中学)
3. Nei Jiang City No. 10 High School (内江市第十中学)
4. Nei Jiang City Xiang Long High School (内江市翔龙中学)

For the first day, everyone was nervous as we will start our first lesson and the classes assign to us have a huge number of students. Before the class start, we attended the English teacher lesson and after the class it will be our turn to give lesson. The lesson started well and the students interested in our teaching and very fascinated by our present. They never have the chance for outsider from other country to give them lesson. As one of our team members is a Singaporean Indian, the students are most excited and wanted to know more about him. They have surrounded him, hold his hand, grabbing him, taking photos with him and even hug him.

The teaching have went well and as the day goes by we are gaining more experience and also improve on our public speaking skills. Some of our team members are also inspired to become a teacher although we are all from engineering course. We have introduced the teacher technique on using games, music and hand on activities for the lessons. This will make the lesson more interesting and fun too. They students can also learn faster and able to absorb more. After every teaching, we will have discussion with the English teacher on ways to improve the teaching and also feedback on our teaching. Besides that, we also exchange our experience on what we have experience during our younger days as students in primary and secondary school.


During the teaching, we not only teach English but we also promote Singapore and also our alma mater NTU. We have gained some poster from the Singapore Tourism Board. It have give the students there inspiration and also dream to further their studies in Singapore as it provide good education and have many interesting sight.

Overall the teaching have achieve our objective for our trip and it have benefited us and also the students there.

相交的平行线

-------- 记与内江师范学院志愿者的交流活动

2007年12月9日，内江师范学院迎来了15位着装相同但肤色各异的外国朋友，虽说有语言障碍，交流稍显不畅，但洋溢的笑容里同时装满了主人的热情与客人的欣喜。

我们一行15人就座后，交流会正式开始。主人安排得井井有条，从一开始的个人介绍，到他们自己大学生志愿活动视频短片的播放，到具体志愿活动的介绍，无不显得整齐划一，有板有眼。

他们的志愿者活动规模通常很大，基本都是由大学学生会亲自组织，动辄便能召集几十上百人。每次活动的安排很细致，从头到尾的细节都有专人负责。他们的志愿者活动强调无私奉献，回报社会，所做的活动都是对目前中国国内问题极富针对性的，例如对贫困学生提供的义务家教，对留守学生提供的一对一心理交流和对城市街道的集体大扫除等等，非常切合目前中国的关于教育，卫生方面的需求。活动的介绍短片里一幕幕感人的场景显示出的当地志愿者的热忱让我们的队员们为之敬佩。

轮到我们介绍我们活动的时候，整个会场气氛为之一变，欢快的旋律和个性鲜明的图片主导了整个短片。尽管我们的代表在有现场翻译员的情况下用英语来介绍我们本次活动，但是他的生动讲解和机智幽默让即使听不太懂英文的人都能略懂一二。我们主要介绍了我们志愿者活动的目的除了为服务社会，其实还在于充实自己的生活，锻炼自己的能力。他们对此感到很新奇，但是非常赞同我们的观念。

仿佛受到了我们情绪的感染，之后的会场气氛很活跃。双方成员相互发问，你来我往，彼此都对对方的课外活动和校园生活充满了好奇。在此过程中，尽管很多朋友的英文水平不是很高，但是为了表示对我们的尊重，抑或是为了借此机会提升自己口语水平，他们都坚持用英语与我们交流，我们相当欣赏他们的勤奋上进。交流会结束之后我们互赠礼品，他们赠送的国画和我们回赠的南大纪念牌，都寄托着我们对这份来自远方的友谊的祝福。

交流会的时间有限，最后大家都依依不舍。于是之后主人们又热情地带我们参观他们的校园。虽说不像南大里这样花开四季和绿草芳菲，冬日的内江师院里面又是一分景象：常青的松柏依旧傲然挺立，纷飞的梧桐叶铺成一地金黄，80年代修筑的木结构的红砖楼安静的伫立在校园一角。是时恰逢三位美术系的同学举办个人画展，在主人们的带领下，我们得以目睹一下未来艺术家杰作。虽然来自不同的语言环境，有着不同的文化背景，一路上当地大学生却跟我们谈得十分投机。可能是少了交流会时的拘谨，其实发现生活中的彼此都是很有意思的年轻人。

另外可能因为我们队员大多是男生，他们的志愿者刚好大多是女生，所以对彼此的兴趣就更大了。交谈中也显示出一些文化差异，比如当地学生说话比较直接，但是相对思想保守一些，当我们的男生直接称赞她们女生的相貌时她们会不好意思。我们私下也谈到了一些对于彼此的看法，比如他们很欣赏我们的对工作的乐观态度，认为当我们很享受自己的工作时，也就会有更多的动力坚持下去。反之我们则很看重他们地无私奉献精神，他们对待工作的严肃认真的态度，很值得我们借鉴。主人们待客很周到，还私下给我们赠送小礼品，我运气不错，收到三份礼品，一个中国结，一个福娃和一只小猴子毛绒玩具，只是苦于没有什么像样的东西回赠，倍感惭愧。

最后大家都借此机会互传联系方式，希望这份来自千里之外的友情能够继续保持。虽然我们有着截然不同的特色，但是这种志愿者之间这共同的理想和目标将我们紧紧地连在一起，让我们从彼此那里取长补短，求同存异。

~ Ding Chao

Project L.O.V.E 报道

2007年12月8日至18日，南洋理工大学（NTU）机械与航空学院（MAE）的15名学生在中国四川省内江市开展了一次献爱心支教活动。本次活动涉及当地4所中学和4所小学。在当地师生的配合下，活动圆满成功。通过此次活动，我们增加了自身经验，同时，也激发了当地学生对学习英语的 兴趣。

在小学，我们共准备了三个话题——北京2008，颜色与形状以及我的教室——来教一些简单的英语。每节课，我们都会先向学生介绍新加坡的基本情况，学生对此很有兴趣。同时三个班级展开三个不同的话题。学生在课堂上积极参与，对我们的提问都踊跃回答。教授单词语句过程中，学生跟随我们大声的朗读，并及时做好笔记。动手环节中，我们准备了粘土，折纸，绘图等活动让学生通过亲自动手，更加形象的对单词进行理解并记忆。在整个过程中，我们对学生的发音也进行了纠正。

课程结束后，我们带去了科技展。用形象生动的描述引起学生兴趣，然后在展台前让学生一一动手感受。每个展台前都围满了学生观看，尝试。

科技展结束后，我们和学生一起合影，签名留念。

五天中，4所学校的老师和学生给了我们鼎立支持，保证了我们这次活动的成功。活动圆满结束后，大家表示，此次活动很有意义，以后有机会还要参加类似活动。

~ Yuli

Project LOVE (Cambodia)

Hi guys,

Exam is over now and we have to get to business for our project LOVE. I have receive reply from Prof Chui and she said there is alot of things we can do there. Here are some details:
-set up solar panel
-set up lightning conductor
-set up a small mushroom farm, to start growing mushroom as one of the -income generating project,
-to dig a small pond to rear fish
-to did trench in school compound to teach students about burying the rubbish.
-painting of classrooms
-put cement flooring for classrooms
-repair homes for the elderly
-give out food ration to elderly

Besides that her husband will check out a play in baray and see whethter there is any project that can cater to us. Here the link:

http://cambbuildaschool.blogspot.com/

http://www.khmerhomestay.com/index.asp

Prof Chui said if better if some one can follow her husband to recce the place in July to know more about the condition there. So if anyone interested to go pls inform me so i can inform Prof Chui.

We can also add our suggestion on what we can do there. I guess Cambodia will be a better place in terms of contact, flight and etc.

Hope to get comment from you all soon.

With a smile for everyone,
Adrian